CanonLaw.info

Dr. Edward Peters

To work for the proper implementation of canon law is to play an extraordinarily

constructive role in continuing the redemptive mission of Christ. Pope John Paul II

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CanonLaw.info

Post-promulgation textual modifications to codified canon law

This page undergoes intermittent revision in the wake of papal a/o dicasterial action.

Overview

Codified canon law undergoes intermittent textual modification by popes and, with papal approval, various Roman dicasteries. The documents by which modifications to the Western a/o Eastern Codes of Canon Law are tracked here.

User notes

The modifications shown on their respective Supplements pages will present exactly the canonical texts of the two versions of the law in the documents identified, except that: italicized text in an earlier version did not survive into the latter; bolded text appeared only in the later version; and, underlined text appeared in both versions but was moved (usually for clarity or Latinity). A canon that has been modified in any part is usually posted in the entirety for ease of comparison but, for convenience, larger blocks of unmodified texts might simply be so indicated rather than reproduced. Canon numbers in blue links below identify provisions actually modified by (and not simply referenced in) the document in question.

Documents treated

Documents impacting Western canons only

 • Francis (reg. 2013-2025), m.p. Recognitum Librum VI (6 apr 2022), AAS 114 (2022) 551-552. ≡ Latin a/o Italian, here. Action: Modification of one Sacrae canon to accommodate changes in the numbering of certain penal canons in light of Pascite. New law: Recognitum 1395. Cites: Sacrae 0695, Pascite 1395, 1397, 1398.

 • Francis (2013-), ap.con. Pascite gregem Dei (23 mai 2021), L'Osservatore Romano (4 iun 2021). ≡ Latin, here; English here. Summary: Abrogation of the Johanno-Pauline Book VI of the Western Code and promulgation of a new Book VI. Cites: CIC 1311-1399. Text comparison: PDF here.

 • Francis (reg. 2013-2025), m.p. Spiritus Domini (10 jan 2021), AAS 113 (2021) 169-170. ≡ Latin a/o English, here. Action: Modification of one Sacrae canon to permit installation of women as lector and acolyte on a stable basis. New law: Spiritus 0230.

 • Francis (reg. 2013-2025), m.p. Communis vita (19 mar 2019), AAS 111 (2019) 483-484. ≡ Latin a/o English, here. Action: Modification of two Sacrae canons to authorize dismissal of religious and members of secular institutes based on 12-month absence. New law: Communis 0694, 0729. Cites: CIC 0665, 0696, 0697.

 • Francis (reg. 2013-2025), m.p. Magnum principium (03 sep 2017), AAS 109 (2017) 967-970. ≡ Latin a/o English, here. Action: Modification to one Sacrae canon to increase authority of episcopal conferences over development of liturgical translations. New law: Magnum 0838.

 • Francis (reg. 2013-2025), m.p. Mitis Iudex (15 aug 2015), AAS 107 (2015) 958-970. ≡ Latin a/o English, here. Action: Major reorganization of Western marriage nullity procedures (including elimination of mandatory second instance, the introduction of personal factors to be treated as indicative of nullity, and an episcopal process for the 'expedited hearing' of some cases), that may be reckoned, and cited, in three parts: (a) eight fundamental criteria, I - VIII; (b) 21 canons, Mitis Iudex 1671-1691; and (c) 21 'opportune tools', artt. 1- 21. Cites: CIC 0383, 0529, 1418, 1423, Mitis Iudex 1671 to 1691, 1752. Text comparison: PDF here.

 • Francis (reg. 2013-2025), m.p. De concordia inter Codices (31 mai 2016), AAS 108 (2016) 602-606. ≡ Latin here; English here. Action: Modifications to ten Sacrae canons so as to bring about greater uniformity in matters involving Eastern Catholics. New law: De concordia 0111, 0112, 0535, 0868, 1108, 1109, 1111, 1112, 1116, 1127. Cites: CIC 0383. / CCEO 0039, 0040, 0193.

 • Benedict XVI (reg. 2005-2013), m.p. Omnium in mentem (26 oct 2009), AAS 102 (2010) 8-10. ≡ Latin a/o English, here. Action: Modification of five Sacrae canons on holy Orders and the implications for marriage form hitherto arising from defection from the Church. New law: Omnium 1008, 1009, 1086, 1117, 1124. Cites: CIC 0011, 0841.

Documents impacting both Western and Eastern canons

 • Francis (reg. 2013-2025), m.p. Competentias quasdam decernere (11 feb 2022), AAS 114 (2022) 290-295. ≡ Latin, etc., here. Action: Modifications to eleven Sacrae canons and eight Sacri canons on a variety of topics. New law: Competentias (CIC) 0237, 0242, 0265, 0604, 0686, 0688, 0699, 0700, 0775, 1308, 1310. / Competentias (CCEO) 0489, 0496, 0499, 0501, 0546, 0552, 1052, 1054.

 • John Paul II (reg. 1978-2005), m.p. Ad tuendam fidem (18 mai 1998), AAS 90 (1998) 457-461. ≡ Latin, etc., here. Summary: Modifications of two Sacrae canons and two Sacri canons whereby secondary objects of infallibility are described and protected. Cites: CIC 0747, 0750, 0752, 0833, 1371 / CCEO 0595, 0598, 0599, 1436. Text comparison: PDF here.

Documents impacting Eastern canons only

 • Francis (reg. 2013-2025), m.p. Iam pridem (16 apr 2023), AAS 115 (2023) 484-485. ≡ Italian, here. Action: Modifications to four Sacri canons on hierarchical authority. New law: Iam pridem 0066, 0102, 0149, 0183.

 • Francis (reg. 2013-2025), m.p. Ab initio (21 nov 2020), AAS 112 (2020) 1152-1153. ≡ English, etc., here. Action: Modifications to two Sacri canons on authority of Eastern bishops to establish monasteries and institutes of consecrated life. New law: Ab initio 0435, 0506.

 • Francis (reg. 2013-2025), m.p. Authenticum charismatis (1 nov 2020), AAS 112 (2020) 1075-1076. ≡ Latin, etc., here. Action: Modifications to one Sacri canon on authority of Eastern prelates to establish religious institutes. New law: Authenticum 0579.

 • Francis (reg. 2013-2025), m.p. Mitis et misericors (15 aug 2015), AAS 107 (2015) 946-954. ≡ Latin, etc., here. Action: Modifications to twenty-one Sacri canons on adjudication of Eastern marriage nullity petitions. New law: Eastern Code – Title XXVI – Chapter 1 – Article 1, here. Cites: CCEO 1071.

Background

My work in the textual development of codified law goes back some decades. See, e.g., my:

 • Incrementa in Progressu 1983 Codicis Iuris Canonici, (A Legislative History of the 1983 Code of Canon Law), Foreword by Abp. Raymond Burke, (Series Gratianus, Wilson & Lafleur, 2005) xci + 1549 pp., and,

 • Tabulae congruentiae inter Codicem iuris canonici et versiones anteriores canonum, (Correlating Tables for the Code of Canon Law and Earlier Versions), Foreword by Msgr. Craig Cox, (Series Gratianus, Wilson & Lafleur, 2000) lix + 198 pp.

Roberti