Folia Theologica et Canonica 6. 28/20 (2017)

IUS CANONICUM - José Miguel Viejo-Ximénez, Raymond of Penyafort decretalist

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JOSE MIGUEL VIEJO-XIMENEZ

same level, «posterior tollit primam» (SIC 1.5.5). On the other hand, if they came from unequal authorities, the contradiction is solved according to the principle of hierarchy, i.e. «praevalet constitutio facta a superiori etiamsi sit anterior», although this solution is only valid when «superior potest super ilia re facere constitutionem» (SIC 1.5.5). Finally, in the case of equal authorities another principle must be also taken into account: «(...) episcopus nihil potest in episcopatu alterius constituere» (SIC 1.5.5).

If one pays attention to their source, the ecclesiastical constitutions are canons (canones), decrees (decreta) and decretals (décrétâtes epistulas) (SIC

1.5.6) . Canon is the constitution passed «in concilio universali». Decretimi is the constitution established by the Pope «de consilio cardenalium ad nullius consultationen». A decretalis epistula is ordered by the Pope «vel solus vel cum cardinalibus ad consultationem alicuis». When one considers their content, the «constitutiones appellatae canonicae» are dogma, if they deal with the Christian doctrine; mandátum, if they regulate habits; interdictum, if they do not establish any penalty; and finally, sanctiones, when they establish a penalty (SIC

1.5.6) . The no-retroactivity nature of all kind of constitutions («non trahitur ad praeterita. sed tantum ad futura») have two exceptions: the constitutions on natural law. and those that explicitly refer to past events (SIC 1.5.7).

SIC explains that there are three kinds of councils. Universal is the council held «auctoritate Papae vel eius legati habentis ad hoc speciale mandátum» (SIC 1.6.1). «Primas seu Metropolitanus (...) cum suis suffraganeis» celebrate the provincial council, and the metropolitan call it «sine auctoritate Primatis» (SIC 1.6.1). Finally, the episcopal council is held «auctoritate episcopi» (SIC 1.6.1 ). While the universal council «asstringit universos», the provincial forces only those who are «in illa provincia», and the episcopal, those who «sunt in episcopatu».

As for the ecclesiastical rescripts, Raymond warns that, strictly speaking, a rescript is «(...) quod Papa vel solus vel cum cardinalibus ad consultationem concedit» (SC 1.7.2). In a broad sense, the word also refers to the letters containing the request. Only the rescript «secundum ius», or at least «praeter ius», can be named an «epistula decretalis» and therefore is a true ecclesiastical constitution, i.e. «(...) habet auctoritatem canonis in causis definiendis» (SC 1.7.4 = SB 1.2.3). By contrast, a rescript «contra ius, reiciendum est, vel recurren- dum est ad regestum, vel exspectanda est secunda iussio» (SIC 1.7.4).

There are four types of interpretation of constitutions and rescripts (SIC 1.7.5 = SDB 1.2.4). The general, necessary and written interpretation belongs to the prince (Cod. Just. 2.14.1). The general and necessary, yet not written, interpretation is typical of the custom (Dig. 1.3.37). The judicial interpretation is necessary and written but not general (Dig. 1.3.38). Although the interpretation of the doctors is not general neither necessary nor put in writing «tarnen non est contemnenda» (Cod. Just. 1.17.1.12).