Canon Law in Pastoral Perspective

1990-2009

100 Canonical Counsel essays • 9 articles on Consecrated Life


by Sister Elizabeth McDonough OP
Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of the Springs of Bridgeport
WEBSITE: www.bridgeportdominicans.org


CONTENTS
BIO:

 

Foreword

Canon law can safely be presumed as not being a favorite topic among many in the Church. For members of institutes of consecrated life, however, it really does help to know at least something about the Church’s legal system. Review for Religious has been a resource for understanding church law through various articles and some form of canonical commentary for many decades. It was my privilege to offer such commentaries for nearly two decades, one before and one after the beginning of the 3rd millennium. There was no systematic plan for treating various canonical topics on consecrated life in 1990 when the 100 “Canonical Counsel” essays herein first appeared. But there were multitudinous topics which arose in the real life of real people in various religious institutes around the world. Gradually, with the Synod on Consecrated Life in 1984, “Canonical Counsel” essays began to address canons on consecrated life by presenting background information on canon law as such and then commenting on particular portions of the Code dealing with governance and membership, and property and departure, etc. For easier reference, the 100 essays are listed by topic, by canon number, and chronologically in the order they appeared in Review for Religious.
Throughout these essays, a concerted effort has been made to present church law as an integral, useful, stabilizing system in keeping with the ultimate purpose and primary means for addressing ecclesial legal matters constructively. Law in any human community—but especially in the Church—is meant to assist real people who live in a real world and face real needs and real problems but who also have the real desire and real hope for a better future now and hereafter. Since law functions at the juncture of logic and life—with logic being neatly structured but life being hardly ever so—there is often a legitimate tension between law and life in practical circumstance. Church law offers no exception to this legitimate tension. What it offers is a workable system of structures, boundaries, and procedures very much in keeping with the ultimate purpose of the Church as salus animarum (canon 1752).
The structures, boundaries, and functions of Church law are comparable to the reality of human beings as having a skeleton and skin and internal operating systems which enable each person to grow and live and learn, etc. So, too, law in the Church provides structures in dioceses and parishes and religious institutes, etc. It specifies legal boundaries for identifying who are laity or clergy, who are married or not married, who belongs to which parish or to which religious community, etc. It provides for ongoing application—and exceptions—by human beings in real-life, specific circumstances. Law does not make the Church what it is. We are truly all God’s handiwork, individually and collectively. What Church law can do, however, is help us be more effectively directed towards our primary choices and on-going actions in relation to the gift of salvation in Christ Jesus. This is no small task. These essays are a minor attempt to offer constructive tools for those in all forms of consecrated life to understand Church law better and to apply it more effectively in their real life of consecration through the evangelical counsels.

 

Endorsements:

“Over the years I have read many of Sr. Elizabeth’s published canonical opinions; and, each time, I have been struck by the thoroughness of her research and the fidelity with which she explains the law of the Church. I eagerly look forward to being able to direct others to a single resource for her insights.”
Dr. Edward N. Peters, JD, JCD
Edmund Cardinal Szoka Chair – Sacred Heart Major Seminary

“This comprehensive compilation of canonical reflections addresses every aspect of consecrated life in a professional, practical and pastoral way. It is a ‘must have’ reference for major superiors, bishops, and vicars for religious, as well as for men and women in any form of Consecrated Life desirous of living their vocations authentically in the heart of the Church.”
Sr. Eva-Maria Ackerman, FSGM
Director, Office of Consecrated Life – Archdiocese of St. Louis, 1996-2009.

“For two decades Sister Elizabeth has been “canonical counsel” to hundreds of religious and their institutes, combining the best elements of the canonist’s art and science: fidelity to the values the law upholds, sensitivity to the practical circumstances where law is applied, and clarity of thought and expression. Her good advice in a single resource is a welcome treasure.”
Rev. James J. Conn, SJ, JD, JCD
Ordinary Professor of Canon Law – Pontifical Gregorian University

“Good canonical advice with reference to consecrated life is always important, but especially in these days. It should be both consistent and thorough. Sister Elizabeth certainly provides that. She draws on Church history, theology, spirituality and canonical sources to present important material in a readily accessible and readable manner. This series of essays provides significant resources for leadership and members of all forms of consecrated life.”
Most Rev. John J. Myers, DD, JCD
Archbishop of Newark

 

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