The 1983 Code of Canon Law: Structure and Key Canons

Seven books, 1752 canons

The Code contains 1752 canons arranged in seven books:

• Book I: General Norms
• Book II: The People of God
• Book III: The Teaching Function of the Church
• Book IV: The Sanctifying Function of the Church
• Book V: The Temporal Goods of the Church
• Book VI: Penal Sanctions in the Church
• Book VII: Processes

A canon is cited by number, for example “c. 1055 §1.” Many canons are divided into paragraphs (§) and numbered items.

Marriage as a covenant

The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life and which is ordered by its nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring, has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament between the baptized.

1983 Code of Canon Law, c. 1055 §1

Paragraph 2 adds: “For this reason, a valid matrimonial contract cannot exist between the baptized without it being by that fact a sacrament.” Most cases in church tribunals concern whether a marriage was valid.

The final canon

In cases of transfer the prescripts of can. 1747 are to be applied, canonical equity is to be observed, and the salvation of souls, which must always be the supreme law in the Church, is to be kept before one’s eyes.

1983 Code of Canon Law, c. 1752

The canon deals with transferring a pastor. Its closing words, the salvation of souls as “the supreme law in the Church,” are often quoted as the purpose of the whole Code.

Researching 1983 Code of Canon Law in your state

To research 1983 Code of Canon Law for a real matter, start with the primary sources. For example, read the statute, the rule and the documents in your own file. Then look for recent appellate decisions from your state, because they control how local courts read the law. After that, compare what you found with the federal rules that may also apply. Our state procedures guide and the Research Center can help you find and check each source.

Sources and further reading

Official sources used on this page:

• vatican.va
• vatican.va
• vatican.va

Related reading on Lawtopolis:

• What Is Canon Law? Definition, Sources and Scope
• Church Tribunals and Declarations of Nullity (Annulments)
• History of Canon Law: Gratian, the Corpus Iuris Canonici and the Codes