Legislative reforms of John Paul II in the field of the protection of minors in the light of the principle of “lex sequitur vitam”

Autor

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15633/pch.15108

Słowa kluczowe:

John Paul II, lex sequitur vitam, legislative reforms, protection of minors

Abstrakt

The pontificate of John Paul II deserves an objective evaluation, considering the activity of the pope in various areas of ecclesiastical life. From the point of view of the universal Church as an institution managed by the successor of St. Peter, it is crucial to promulgate laws while maintaining the supernatural dimension of the Church, while also taking into account the most fundamental principles of lawgiving. One of these principles is expressed in the words: lex sequitur vitam, which means that the changing life of the community is always combined with changes in the law. The article poses the question of whether the principle of lex sequitur vitam has been considered and applied in the legislation of John Paul II aimed at combating the phenomenon of abuse of minors. What determinants of legislation did John Paul II consider when making subsequent changes in the canon law? The article shows that the preparation of laws in accordance with the art of law-making must be subject to certain rules, so that the law corresponds to the social situation.

Bibliografia

Berry J., Tragedy of Gilbert Gauthe, “Times of Acadiana” Part 1 (23.05.1985): https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news/1985_05_23_Berry_TheTragedy.htm (23.03.2023); Part 2 (30.05.1985): https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news/1985_05_30_Berry_TheTragedy.htm (23.03.2023).

Catechism of the Catholic Church, Washington DC 2019, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Codex Iuris Canonici auctoritate Ioannis Pauli PP. II promulgatus (25.01.1983), “Acta Apostolicae Sedis” 75 (1983), pars 2, pp. 1–317.

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, The norms of the Motu proprio “Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela” (2001): Historical introduction, “Communicationes” 42 (2010), p. 351.

Erdő P., Władza Biskupa Rzymu. Ujęcie historyczno-prawne, “Annales Canonici” 8 (2012), pp. 5–21.

Jenkins P., Pedophiles and priests: Anatomy of a contemporary crisis, New York 1996, Oxford University Press.

John Jay College of Criminal Justice, The nature and scope of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests and deacons in the United States, 1950–2002: a research study conducted by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, the City University of New York: for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. 2004, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

John Paul II, Apostolic constitution “Pastor bonus” (28.06.1988), “Acta Apostolicae Sedis” 80 (1988), pp. 841–912.

John Paul II, Apostolic letter issued Motu proprio “Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela” (30.04.2001), “Acta Apostolicae Sedis” 93 (2001), pp. 737–739.

John Paul II, Letter to the bishops of the United States of America (11.06.1993), https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/letters/1993/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_19930611_vescovi-usa.html (23.03.2023).

John Paul II, Post-synodal apostolic exhortation “Christifideles laici” on the vocation and the mission of the lay faithful in the church and in the world (30.12.1988), “Acta Apostolicae Sedis” 81 (1989), pp. 393–521.

John Paul II, Post-synodal apostolic exhortation “Reconciliation and Penance” in the mission of the Church today (2.12.1984), “Acta Apostolicae Sedis” 77 (1985), pp. 257–266.

Kroczek P., “Ius sequitur vitam”, czyli o niektórych czynnikach zmian w prawie, “Studia Socialia Cracoviensia” 6 (2014) 2 (11), pp. 163–176.

Kroczek P., The art of legislation: the principles of lawgiving in the Church, Kraków 2011, Wydawnictwo UNUM.

Larrabe J. L., El nuevo Código de la Iglesia, “Estudios eclesiásticos” 58 (1983) 224, pp. 3–20.

Sobański R., Zbawcza funkcja prawa kościelnego, “Śląskie Studia Historyczno-Teologiczne” 6 (1973), pp. 157–169.

Suchocka H., Działania papieży oraz Stolicy Apostolskiej na rzecz ochrony osób małoletnich, in: Prawa dziecka: perspektywa Kościoła, ed. P. Kroczek, Kraków 2015, Uniwersytet Papieski Jana Pawła II Wydawnictwo Naukowe, pp. 175–197.

Synod of Bishops, Preparatory document for the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (07.09.2021), https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2021/09/07/210907a.html (18.03.2023).

Synod of Elvira [Concilium Eliberitanum], Canon 71, in: Sancti Isidori […] opera omnia, tomus octavus, ed. J.-P. Migne, Parisiis 1850 [Patrologiae Cursus Completus. Series Latina, 84], col. 301–310.

Wojtуła K., Osoba i czyn, Kraków 1985, Towarzystwo Naukowe KUL.

Opublikowane

2025-06-30

Numer

Dział

Articles