Folia Canonica 4. (2001)
BOOK REVIEWS
270 BOOK REVIEWS but simply an accentuation, in the canonical and liturgical discipline, of one or another particular aspect. This is justified by a legitimate theological reflection on the one life-giving faith, but also by the various historical circumstances and pastoral needs of the churches. In both codes the basic ratio legis is the salus animarum that is, the sanctification of the people and the worship ascribed to God. We can say that the two sets of canonical law do not contradict or oppose themselves but often one set perfects the other. Professor Salachas gives a detailed commentary on all the canons of Book IV - The Office of Sanctifying in the Church (cann. 834-1253) of the Codex Juris Canonici and of Title XVI - Divine Worship and Especially the Sacraments (cann. 667-895) of the Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, with the exception of the sacrament of matrimony. After the preliminary canons (pp. 13-50), part one of the work deals with The Sacraments: Baptism (pp. 51-104), Chrismation (pp. 105-136), Eucharist (pp. 137-215), Penance (pp. 217-277), Anointing of the Sick (pp. 279-297) and Ordination (pp. 299-376). Part two presents The Other Acts of Divine Worship: The Sacramentals (pp. 379-388), The Liturgy of the Hours (pp. 389-393), Ecclesiastical Funeral Rites (pp. 395—409), The Veneration of the Saints, Sacred Images and Relics (pp. 411-420), The Vow and Oath (pp. 421 —437). Part three treats Sacred Places (pp. 441-472), Sacred Times (pp. 473^489). A good bibliography (pp. 493-506), and two indices (pp. 507—514) complete the work. The author covers all the juridical aspects of the subject-matter with a canonist’s rigor. The readers will find in this work a precise analysis of the disciplinary details which characterize the law on the sacraments, with many cross-references to the sources and the pertinent bibliography. It is opportune to recall, in the western as well as in the eastern tradition, the role of the Holy Spirit which takes place through the epiclesis, that is, the invocation of the Holy Spirit to complete the sacramental mystery (p. 28). One is referred here to the works of St. Basil the Great and St. John Chrysotom. No less interesting is the norm (can. 844/3) on the administration of the “sacraments of penance, eucha- rist, and anointing of the sick to members of the eastern churches which do not have full communion with the catholic church, if they ask on their own and are properly disposed” (pp. 33-40). A case which could create some problem is that of the baptism administered to members of the orthodox churches; not so much for its validity which is not in doubt, but for the custom in those churches of completing the Christian initiation with chrismation or confirmation (p. 87). A potential misunderstanding, for example, can easily arise in the case of baptism administered in an orthodox or eastern catholic church. The validity of the sacrament is, of course, beyond question. Moreover, it must be presumed that the sacraments of chrismation and eucharist have also been administered, although the baptismal certificate may not mention these sacraments. In fact, all the eastern churches follow the ancient tradition whereby chrismation with
