Is there is a natural law which enables every human being to know right from
wrong, why do we need the Church to tell us right from wrong?
Pope Paul VI wrote: "No believer will wish to deny that the teaching authority of the Church is competent to interpret even the natural moral law." Because of original sin, it si not possible for all human beings (adults as well as children) to correctly understanding and interpret the natural law easily without mixture of error. In addition, of course, the teaching authority of the Church (Magisterium) alone is able authentically to teach and interpret the revealed laws of God, which shed light upon the correct understanding of the natural law. I suggest you bring this matter up for discussion sometime with your parish priest.
Reprinted from March 13, 1998
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From where does the Church get the right to make laws?
Jesus Christ, the Founder of the Catholic Church, gave the right and duty to make laws to His Church (Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:18). The Church uses her power to "bind and loose" to legislate for her children. Some Church laws simply make clear and more specific those laws which are made directly by God Himself. Other Church laws are for the purpose of good order and for the protection of the church and her children. The Church has no power to change, alter, or dispense anyone from God's laws. However, she can change, alter, or dispense from her own legislation in case of necessity or usefulness.
Reprinted from November 1, 1996
How many laws of the Church are there?
In the Code of Canon Law there are 1752 canons or laws. The Code applies, however, only to the Latin or Western Rites of the Catholic Church. There is another Code of Canon Law for the 21 Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church in which there are 1546 canons or laws. For catechetical purposes, however, children are usually taught the six precepts of the Church, which are six general obligations all Catholics should know.
Reprinted from October 4, 1996
What is the Code of Canon Law?
This is the book which contains the 1,752 laws which regulate the life and work of the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church. There are actually two Codes of Canon Law, the other being for the discipline and regulation of the Eastern or Oriental Rites of the Catholic Church.
Reprinted from September 27, 1996
Are lay people allowed to read Canon Law?
Yes, certainly they may do so. There are many good English language translations of the Code of Canon Law and of the Code of Canon Law for the Eastern Rite Churches. One of the better ones is published in Canada by Wilson and Lasfleur of Montreal. It was done with a fine commentary by the University of Navarra and the University of St. Paul.
Reprinted from April 9, 1999
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May a lay person read the laws of the Church?
Certainly. Ask your parish priest to see them or buy your own copy of them. Any Catholic bookseller would be able to obtain for you a copy of the Code of Canon Law. Remember that the official text is in Latin, but there are many good translations available. The present Code came into effect in 1983. Also, remember that there is a special and alternative Code of Canon Law for the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church. This also is available in English translations.
Reprinted from October 16, 1998
Is there is a natural law which enables every human being to know right from
wrong, why do we need the Church to tell us right from wrong?
Pope Paul VI wrote: "No believer will wish to deny that the teaching authority of the Church is competent to interpret even the natural moral law." Because of original sin, it si not possible for all human beings (adults as well as children) to correctly understanding and interpret the natural law easily without mixture of error. In addition, of course, the teaching authority of the Church (Magisterium) alone is able authentically to teach and interpret the revealed laws of God, which shed light upon the correct understanding of the natural law. I suggest you bring this matter up for discussion sometime with your parish priest.
Reprinted from March 13, 1998