Folia Canonica 2. (1999)
NEWS IN BRIEF - Varghese Koluthara: Institute of Oriental Canon Law at Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Bangalore, India
278 VARGHESE KOLUTHARA the prescribed laws or even to dispense from them. This is the liberative role of laws in the Church. True canonical formation should aim at this”. Speaking on the occasion, Msgr. Ignatius Pinto, the Archbishop of Bangalore and Pro-Chancellor of DVK said that It is a happy coincidence that the two canon law institutes of India are situated in Bangalore itself: one for the Latin Law and the other for Oriental Law. “Both these institutes”, wished the archbishop, “through close collaboration, can promote a healthy growth of the Churches in India. There is no room for jealousy or rivalry when we all work together for the growth of the Church of Jesus Christ.” This new Institute for the study of Oriental Canon Law is the first such kind among the 21 Oriental Catholic Churches. The institute envisages a specialized study in Oriental Canon Law in comparison with the Code of Canon Law of the Latin Church and their mutual applications in interritual relationship in the context of India. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. George Nedungatt S.J., the Delegate of the Pontifical Oriental Institute, said: “So far the Faculty of Canon Law at the Pontifical Oriental Institute was the only one of its kind in the whole world. The Orientale is only happy to loose its monopoly. This loss is true gain. Gain not only for Dharmaram and India, but for the Orientale as well. What the Orientale gains is not a new born daughter B as the etymology of the word affiliation would suggest B instead what it gets is a sister Binstitute through aggregation. The difference between affiliation and aggregation consists basically and technically in the fact that whereas through affiliation the degree of Bachelor is conferred, through aggregation degree of Masters (or Licentiate in canonical terms) also is conferred by the aggregating Faculty through the aggregated Institute.” About the specific role of the institute, the Delegate said: “ Apart from its specific task to impart instruction in oriental canon law and form teachers, scholars and church personnel, it shares with all other institutes and Faculties of canon law a common and primordial mission. I see its basis in the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Colossians: ”It is Christ we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ" (Col 1:28), “Christ, the head of every ruler and authority”. (2:10). The maturity in Christ or Christian maturity of which St. Paul speaks, is in relation to Christ the head, the supreme ruler and authority. It is a maturity that is able to integrate all legitimate authority under Christ whether of the Church or of Caesar. Christ’s teaching and example inspired Paul to write further: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgement” (Rom 13: 1-2). Towards achieving this goal, he offered on behalf of the Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome, its services and collaboration with the Dharmaram Institute of
