Folia Theologica et Canonica 4. 26/18 (2015)

IUS CANONICUM - Szabolcs Anzelm Szuromi, O.Praem., The effect of Pope Benedict XIV’ s canonical works on the ecclesiastical process law

THE EFFECT OF POPE BENEDICT XIV’S CANONICAL WORKS...

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I. General notes on Pope Benedict XIV’s legislation

Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini was bom in Bologna on March 31s' 1657.15 When he completed his theological, civil and canon law studies in Rome, he received his doctoral degrees in theology and also in utriusque iuris in 1684. Because his jurisprudential experience at the dicasteries of the Roman Curia, he became one of the best canonist popes of the church history.16 He had a particular interest in the Holy Scripture, the patristic authors (in particular Pope Leo the Great) and also in the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas (f 1274).17 18 19 He had remarkable contribution not only to the field of process law, but also to interpret the proper function of the diocesan councils (i.e. De synodo dioecesana).'* Lambertini’s collected works were published in seventeen volumes as “opera omnia" between 1839 and 1847.'''

There is a nice selected edition of Pope Benedict XIV’s legislation, published in Venice in 1773, only fifteen years after his death.20 This composition begins with the Ubi primum encyclical letter (December 3rd 1740)21, but already on page 19 we can read from the afore-mentioned list one of his most important constitutions, i.e. Sacramentum Poenitentiae (June 1st 1741 ).22 Nevertheless, in this selection took place such documents like his decree on alms giving during the Holy Mass (i.e. Quanta cura, June 30,h 1741 )23 or his declaration about the fast-days (In suprema universalis Ecclesiae, August 22nd 1741 ).24 Concerning Pope Benedict’s influential documents on the process law there can be found the encyclical letter Quamvis Paternae2S, the constitution Dei miseratione26, the

15 Mayeur, J. M.-Ch. - Pietri, L. - Vauchez, A. - Venard, M. (sous la direction de), Histoire du Christianisme des origines à nos jours, X: Les défis de la modernité (1750-1840), Paris 1997. 232-234.

16 Plöchl, W. M., Geschichte des Kirchenrechts, V. Wien-München 19697 362.

17 Öliger, L., Benedetto XIV, papa, in Enciclopedia Cattolica, IL Città del Vaticano 1949. 1281 — 1285.

18 Sanctissimi Domini Nostri Benedilli Papae XIV. De synodo dioecesana. Libri tredecim in duos tomos distribuii, I—IL Venetiis 1775. Cf. Miras, J., Lambertini, Prospero, in Otaduy, J. — Via- na, A. - Sedano, J. (dir.), Diccionario General de Derecho Canònico, IV. Pamplona 2012. 968-969, especially 968.

19 Lambertini, P., Opera omnia, I-XVII. Prato 1839-1847.

20 Sanctissimi Domini Nostri Benedica Papae XIV. Constitutiones selectae, nec non bullae, decreta, epistolae, etc. Parochis, confessariis, Omnibusque Animarum Pastoribus Utilores ac Neces- sariae, in quibus theologiae morális ac dogmaticae. Praecepta vere perspicua, ex Scripturis praecipue, ac Sacris Canonibus traduntur, I—IL Venetiis 1773.

21 Sanctissimi Domini Nostri Benedirti Papae XIV. Constitutiones selectae, 1. 5-8.

22 Sanctissimi Domini Nostri Benedirti Papae XIV. Constitutiones selectae, 1. 19-22.

23 Sanctissimi Domini Nostri Benedirti Papae XIV. Constitutiones selectae, I. 22-24.

24 Sanctissimi Domini Nostri Benedirti Papae XIV. Constitutiones selectae, I. 24—25.

25 Sanctissimi Domini Nostri Benedirti Papae XIV. Constitutiones selectae, I. 25-27.

26 Sanctissimi Domini Nostri Benedirti Papae XIV. Constitutiones selectae, I. 35—41.