Folia Canonica 1. (1998)
BOOK REVIEWS
BOOK REVIEWS 181 REVIEWS J. ABBASS, Two Codes in Comparison (Kanonika 7), Roma 1997, 303 pp. At the time of the promulgation of the Eastern Code Pope John Paul II on several occasions emphasized the organic unity of the two Codes, which requires that canon law experts need to be familiar with both Codes and this in turn necessitates a more extensive application of the comparative methodology (cf. e.g. AAS 83 [1991] 490; Communicationes 25 [1993] 13-14). Although it is almost eight years since the promulgation of the CCEO, the number of publications giving proper consideration to this clear indication of the Supreme Legislator is still rather low. In this respect the publications by the author of the present work are of considerable value. J. Abbass OFM Conv. (bom 1952) is professor at the Faculty of Canon Law of the Pontifical Oriental Institute and visiting professor at the Pontifical Lateran University. The present volume in the «Kanonika» series, published by the Oriental Institute, contains nine chapters preseriting the previous works of the Author already published in periodicals. These are supplemented by a closing chapter. As the title indicates, the work presents comparative studies of significant topics in both Codes. In each chapter the Author emphasizes, that the basis for this peculiar comparative method is precisely the intention to comply with the requirements of the Holy Father. The volume is divided into the following chapters: (1) Forms of Consecrated Life Recognised in the Eastern and Latin Codes', (2) Admission to Orders and Congregations and the Novitiate', (3) Marriage in the Codes of Canon Law, (4) Canonical Interpretation by Recourse to «Parallel Passages»', (5) Offices in the Church', (6) The Temporal Goods of the Church', (7) Trials in General', (8) Contentious Trials', (9) Are Comparative Studies Useful? Some Concluding Considerations. The Author, making use of a very particular understanding of the comparative method, presents a rather restricted criterion for the analysis of the respective topics. The structure of each study is based on a detailed comparison of terminology and content and also on the presentation of phases through which the final version of legal texts has evolved in the process of codification. In this respect Abbass shows evidence of a highly professional handling of the Nuntia, which enables even the non-expert to
