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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(Cann. 1432-1436, 1678). Based on the constitution Dei miseratione the defender of bond had obligation to appeal against the sentence of first instance (i.e. §§ 9, 11, 14)52 which rule was followed by the 1917 Code (Can. 1986).53 This rule has been changed by the New Code of Canon Law, and Can. 1682 § 1 prescribed the “ex officio” appeal after the decision of first instance.54 This canon has been modified by the apostolic letter Mit is Iudex which does not indicate the “ex officio” appeal.55

The constitution Ad Sepulcra (November 23rd 1741), which begins with an eloquent sentence that “to the tombs of Apostles whose blood consecrated Rome” is a brief summary of the beatification and canonization process. For this document Benedict XIV obviously uses his monography (1703) on the same topic.56 The Ad Sepulcra together with constitution Inter conspicious (August 29lh 1744) and the letter Sollicitudini (October Is' 1745) had become the most important modem source for the CIC (1917) and its Book IV Title II Cann. 1999- 2141, but have made an essential influence on the detailed definition of the “fama sanctitatis”. If we analyze the text of instruction Sanctorum Mater (May 17Ih 2007) - the current law for the diocesan section of the canonization process - therein can easily recognize the phrasing and concept of the afore-mentioned 18lh century documents. The constitution Ad universae (September 3rd 1746) and the letter Beatus Andreas (February 22nd 1755) have made significant effect on so called “apostolic process” {processus apostolicus: the section at the Holy See) of the beatification and canonization (i.e. CIC [1917] Cann. 2087. 2117).

The constitution Ad militantis Ecclesiae (March 30'h 1742) seems the most extensive summary of Pope Benedict XIV’s concept on the ecclesiastical static process law.57 The text is organized into 50 paragraphs which regulate the trials from the competence of the ordinary until the supreme tribunals of the Church. We must underline, that the exclusive role of the competent diocesan bishop as primary judge at the ecclesiastical tribunal of first instance is highlighted in this

52 Cf. Lüdicke, K., Apelación, in Haering, S. - Schmitz, H. (ed.), Diccionario enciclopèdico de derecho canònico, 42^14, especially 43.

53 Conte a Coronata, M., Institutiones iuris canonici ad usum utriusque eteri et scholarum, III: De Processibus, Taurini-Romae 19417 436—438.

54 Cf. Listl, J. - Schmitz, H. (Hrsg.), Handbuch des katholischen Kirchenrechts, Regensburg 19997 1197-1198.

55 Franciscus, Litt. Ap. Mit is Iudex (8 sept. 2015): Can. 1682 - § 1. Postquam sententia, quae matrimonii nullitatem declaraverit, facta est executiva, partes quarum matrimonium declaratum est nullum, possum novas nuptias contrahere, nisi vetito ipsi sententiae apposito vei ab Ordinario loci statuto id prohibeatur. - § 2. Statim ac sententia facta est executiva. Vicarius iudicialis debet eandem notificare Ordinario loci in quo matrimonium celebratum est. Is autem curare débet ut quam primum de decreta nullitate matrimonii et de vetitis forte statutis in matrimoniorum et baptizatorum libris mentio fiat.

56 Lambertini, P„ De Servorum Dei Beatificatione et Beatorum Canonizatione, I—II. Parmae 1703 (repr. Prati 1839-1842).

57 Gasparri, P. - Serédi, I. (ed.), Codicis iuris canonici fontes, I. 723-733.