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

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (11:40 AM, Giovanni Paolo II Aula Magna), as a welcoming moment and now established tradition, the Welcome Day for new students was held.

The event began with introductory greetings from Prof. Sergio Destito, followed by a training session led by Prof. Sergio Tapia. In addition, several services for students were presented, including the Academic Office and the Library.

Concluding remarks were delivered by the Academic Vice‑Rector, Prof. Cristina Reyes.

At 12:45 PM, the celebration of Holy Mass was scheduled.

The Italian Course for new students enrolled in the four Schools of our University began on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. A total of 115 students from various countries are taking part.

The one-month course is organized by the Department of Languages, in collaboration with the Dante Alighieri Society, which once again renews its commitment to promoting the learning of the Italian language from the very beginning of the university journey.

Educational Offer       (Provisional) Academic Guide       Enrollments

The digital version of the 2025/2026 Academic Guide is now available.

Enrollment will open starting in September 2025. Classes are scheduled to begin on October 8, 2025.

Go to Academic Guide

Friday, June 20, 2025 (11:30 a.m., Aula Magna "John Paul II"), the traditional event Welcome to... Alumni Santa Croce 2025 took place, dedicated to those who had completed their studies at our University during the current academic year.

The event featured as guests Rev. Prof. Fernando Puig, Rector of our University, Prof. Luis Cano, Lecturer at the School of Communication and PhD in Theology (2007), and Prof. Pilar Río, Lecturer at the School of Theology.

The day continued with Holy Mass celebrated at the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare, followed by a friendly gathering in the courtyard.

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