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

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SZABOLCS ANZELM SZUROMI, O.PRAEM.

constitution Ad militantis Ecclesiae21, the encyclical letter Cum Mud2*, the letter Sollicitudini Nostrae27 28 29 30 31, and the letter Beatus Andreas*'. We must notice here those constitutions which did not take place in the apparat of the CIC (1917) but are essential sources to understand Pope Benedict XIV’s concept on the nullity of matrimony. These documents are the Nimiam licentiam (May 18,h 1743 )”. the Reddiae Nobis (December 5lh 1744)32, and the Ad tuas manus (August 8lh 1748)33. There is also an essential series of his bulls, published in Venice in three volumes between 1768 and 1778.34 35

II. Canonical concept in Pope Benedict XIV’s normative statements

Beginning with the constitution Sacramentum Poenitentiae35 which had taken place as Document III at the end of the CIC ( 1917)36, had been fixed the most important principles of the sacrament of penance. Moreover, he emphasized the competence of the ecclesiastical tribunals in the case of any dishonest person (turpis persona) or in those cases when someone depreciated the sacraments of the Church.37 38 This constitution has become indispensable to interpret the different accusations in criminal cases, as we can see CIC (1917) Can. 1935 § 1 ; but also to define the criminal investigational process, which appears in CIC (1917) Can. 1944 § 1.

The encyclical letter Quamvis Paternae38 refers to the decretal letter Statútum, de Rescriptis of Pope Boniface VIII (1294—1303) concerning those grave cases when during exercising the delegated ecclesiastical authority someone abusing his dignity or office.w

27 Sanctissimi Domini Nostri Benedicti PupaeXIV. Constitutiones selectae, I. 59-68.

28 Sanctissimi Domini Nostri Benedicti Pupae XIV. Constitutiones selectae, I. 76-84.

29 Sanctissimi Domini Nostri Benedicti Pupae XIV. Constitutiones selectae, I. 165-176.

30 Sanctissimi Domini Nostri Benedicti Pupae XIV. Constitutiones selectae, II. 170-184.

31 Sanctissimi Domini Nostri Benedicti Pupae XIV. Constitutiones selectae, I. 89-94.

32 Sanctissimi Domini Nostri Benedicti Pupae XIV. Constitutiones selectae, I. 138-150.

33 Sanctissimi Domini Nostri Benedicti Pupae XIV. Constitutiones selectae, II. 34-37.

34 Sancissimi Domini Nostri Benedicti Pupae XIV, BuUarium, I—III. Venezia 1768-1778.

35 Sancissimi Domini Nostri Benedicti Pupae XIV, Bullariutn, I. 50-54. Sanctissimi Domini Nostri Benedicti PapaeXIV. Constitutiones selectae, I. 19-22. Gasparri, P. - Serédi, I. (ed.), Codicis iuris canonici fontes, I. 680.

36 Codex iuris canonici. Pii X Pontificis Maximi iussu digestus Benedicti Papae XV auctoritate promulgatus, Typ. Pol. Vat. 1951.716-723.

37 Benedict XIV, Const. Sacramentum Poenitentiae, § 4: Codex iuris canonici. Pii X Pontificis Maximi, 720. Sanctissimi Domini Nostri Benedicti Papae XIV. Constitutiones selectae, I. 10.

38 Sanctissimi Domini Nostri Benedicti Papae XIV. Constitutiones selectae. I. 25-27. Gasparri. P. - Serédi, I. (ed.), Codicis iuris canonici fontes, I. 689-691.

34 Benedict XIV, Ep. Enycl. Quamvis Paternae (26 aug. 1741): Gasparri, P. - Serédi, I. (ed.), Codicis iuris canonici fontes, I. 689.