Priest preps to study canon law

The study, interpretation and implementation of the 1,752 canon laws of the Catholic Church might seem an exercise in hard facts and rigid rules.

But, as Rev. Matthew Frisoni anticipates stud-ying canon law this fall, he understands that the laws were made to support, not oppose, the charity and truth of the Gospel.

"For all the people we serve, we are ministering to them in the name of Jesus Christ," said Father Frisoni, pastor of St. Peter's parish in Delhi and St. John the Baptist in Walton. Whether handling an annulment for a marriage tribunal or celebrating Mass at a parish, he explained, priests are still in ministry.

This fall, Father Frisoni will begin a three-year stint at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., to study canon law. He will ultimately receive an ecclesiastical degree and serve as a tribunal judge for the Albany diocesan Office of Canonical Services and Marriage Tribunal.

He is pleased that Bishop Howard J. Hubbard requested he take on this new assignment.

Canon law has been called Western civilization's oldest continuously functioning legal system. Its 1,752 laws, or canons, impact every facet of Catholic life, Catholic organizations and ecclesiastical governing.

It is the internal legal system of the Church, and obligations, rights and protections are woven throughout. Issues range from education to treatment of the Eucharist to managing Church property.

"Canonical lawyers must have knowledge of the canons of the Church," said Father Frisoni, which he explained are "the works of the successors of Jesus Christ codified in canon law. Holy Fathers expressed their teachings in apostolic decrees."

In the history of the Church, canons came out of councils of bishops and as well as apostolic decisions by various popes. The first Code of Canon Law was created in 1917 by Pope St. Pius X and was revised under Pope John Paul II in 1983.

The sections of canon law cover "general norms," "people of God," "teaching office of the Church, "sanctifying office of the Church," "temporal goods," "sanctions" and "processes."

The diocesan Tri-bunal may hear a variety of cases, such as property issues with church closures, but Father Frisoni said the majority involve the sacrament of marriage - "people who wish to annul previous bonds of marriage, or Catholics considering marriage to non-Christians. They need some kind of ecclesiastical permission or annulment or dispensation to proceed."

Pastoral care must be an integral part of regulating such issues: for example, in cases where "marriages didn't work the first time. With each step, the Church is present where healing is needed," Father Frisoni explained.

But Church laws must also be upheld, he said: "Along with Church teaching about the sacrament of marriage, there is attention to the plight of individuals. There is the care and comfort of His people while maintaining consistency with Jesus' teaching."

Pope John Paul II made that clear when he wrote that canon law "is in no way intended as a substitute for faith, grace, charisms and especially charity in the life of the Church and of the faithful."

Pope John Paul stressed that humanity and compassion must be applied as the laws are interpreted. In his message to the Ottawa Conference on Canon Law in 1984, he said, "Canon lawyers must be aware of their grave responsibilities in the task of consolidating the life of the Church at every level, according to the spirit of the Gospel, overcoming uncertainties and banishing laxity in the observance of a discipline that, by reason of its ordination to the life and mission of the Church, is truly sacred and salvific."

Father Frisoni echoed that. "This is continuing the ministry of Jesus," he stated.

Having been a pastor for two-and-a-half years, Father Frisoni said he would "miss [parishioners] greatly."

But "I'm very excited about this new step in my life and a return to education, examinations, research and study," he concluded.

01/14/10 [[In-content Ad]]