School of Canon Law

 

 

The School of Canon Law strives to prepare canonists with a deep theoretical and practical knowledge of Church law, which helps them develop legal skills with pastoral sensibility, while meeting the practical demands of legal praxis among God's people.

English brochure


Teaching follows a systematic method. It attempts to integrate the many juridical institutions emerging from the study of the Church’s Law within the diverse branches of canonical science. All this, in conformity with the Church’s vision of herself as expressed in the Second Vatican Council.

The program’s realist perspective helps the student to appreciate the dimension of justice that belongs to the salvific goods of the Church even prior to their reception in positive law.  This metaphysical realism offers a much richer viewpoint than the old positivistic outlook, which still influences some currents of canonical thought.  Students learn to seek justice while exercising legal prudence in fidelity to sound ecclesiastical tradition.
The program integrates theoretical study with courses on legal praxis.

The School has a large number of permanent professors as well as many prestigious visiting professors from the Roman Curia and from all over the world.

The School’s research and teaching are enriched by the staff’s experience in various dicasteries of the Holy See and in the Tribunals of the Vicariate of Rome. Close links to and regular academic collaboration with colleagues from other universities of Rome and of other countries also enrich the School, along with the theological research and collaboration of the School of Theology.

 

Sezione: 

In evidenza

From 18 February to 27 May 2026, every Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:40 p.m., the Schools of Theology and Canon Law are offering the optional course (3 ECTS) Ecclesial Movements: A Reality on the Way. The Service of Ecclesial Law.

The course is divided into two parts: theological and magisterial foundations (identity, specific characteristics, mission, relationship of movements with particular Churches) and a juridical section (canonical configuration of movements, legal status of members, governance and formation, prevention and correction of abuses).

Participation is free for students of the University of the Holy Cross and for those enrolled in universities belonging to CRUIPRO.

Lecturers: prof.ssa Elisa Lisiero, prof. Philip Goyret, prof. Santiago Vigo, prof.ssa Isabel Troconis

Thursday, March 5, 2026 (9:00 a.m., Aula Álvaro del Portillo), the School of Canon Law, together with the Center for Legal Studies on the Family, is organizing the 8th Interdisciplinary Study Day entitled The Role of the Family and the Community in Preparation for Marriage: The Implementation of Pathways for Married Life.

The meeting is dedicated to preparation for marriage in light of the Catechumenal Pathways for Married Life. Topics will include marriage as a vocational and countercultural choice, the central role of the family and the Christian community in accompanying engaged couples and young people, and pastoral approaches to preparing and supporting couples. In the afternoon, concrete experiences in the implementation of the Pathways will be presented, with particular attention to the role of the parish priest, the premarital inquiry, and the accompaniment of families.

On Monday, December 15, 2025 (from 12:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., in the Aula Magna), University Life organized a Christmas Carol Contest opened to the entire academic community (professors, students, and staff).

The day begun with Holy Mass, animated by the University Choir. This was followed by a packed lunch; those who wish may request one from the cafeteria at a cost of 5 euros. 

On Thursday, 27 November 2025 (3:00 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Aula Benedetto XVI), the School of Canon Law organized a Round Table entitled Conciliation as a Tool for Dispute Resolution: Between Civil Law and Canon Law, with the aim of providing a space for dialogue on different conciliation instruments and analyzing their application in various fields. The goal was to foster an in-depth reflection that may encourage further developments and improvements in the sector.

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