Revista Española de Derecho Canónico

Pontifical diplomacy at the service of integral ecology at the Roman Pole of the United Nations

2025-02-09T18:57:38+00:00

The present text reproduces the Lectio Magistralis given by the author in the Aula de Grados of the Pontifical University of Salamanca, on February 5, 2025, on the occasion of the feast of St. Raymond of Peñafort, patron of the Faculty of Canon Law of that academic institution.

SENTENCE MONS. FELIPE HEREDIA ESTEBAN, Auditor Judge of the Roman Rota Tribunal

2025-07-15T21:54:21+00:00

Latin text, Spanish translation by professors Anselmo Matilla and Fernando Palacios, and commentary by Carmen Peña on the .SENTENCE handed down by MONS. FELIPE HEREDIA ESTEBAN, Judge Auditor of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota, with MAIN LEGAL TITLE: Simulation of marriage by implicit positive act of will.

Regulations for the support of the clergy in the diocese of Jaén.

2025-06-23T08:18:18+00:00

Original text in Spanish and commentary of the document: Reglamento para la sustentación del clero en la diócesis de Jaén (2025)

DICASTERY FOR THE CLERGY, Decree on the discipline of Mass intentions

2025-04-21T20:13:53+00:00

Original text, spanish translation and commentary of the document: DICASTERY FOR THE CLERGY, Decree on the discipline of Mass intentions.

FEDERICO R. AZNAR GIL (†) - RAÚL ROMÁN SÁNCHEZ, Matrimonial Canon Law, vol. II, Cánones 1057; 1095-1107.

2025-05-28T17:42:05+00:00

Book review of: FEDERICO R. AZNAR GIL (†) - RAÚL ROMÁN SÁNCHEZ, Derecho matrimonial canónico, vol. II, Cánones 1057; 1095-1107, Salamanca: UPSA, 2024, 366 pp., ISBN 9788417601713

GIULIA MAZZONI, Ordinamento canonico e pensiero ecologico. La cura della casa comune tra magistero pontificio e sinodalità

2025-05-28T15:20:52+00:00

Book review of: GIULIA MAZZONI, Ordinamento canonico e pensiero ecologico. La cura della casa comune tra magistero pontificio e sinodalità, Rubbettino Editore (Collana “Religioni, diritto, cultura e società”, 8), Soveria Mannelli 2024, 277 pp., ISBN: 978-88-498-8247-6.

D. CITO - M. DEL POZZO - M. TEIXIDOR (eds.), Criminal Justice in the Church. Protection of the victim and guarantees of the accused,

2025-05-28T16:47:32+00:00

Book review of: D. CITO – M. DEL POZZO – M. TEIXIDOR (a cura di), La giustizia penale nella Chiesa. Tutela della vittima e garanzie dell’imputato, EDUSC, Roma 2025, 507 pp., ISBN 979-12-5482-351-4.

A. M. ROUCO VARELA, Theology of Canon Law,

2025-05-28T17:00:38+00:00

Book review of: A. M. ROUCO VARELA, Teología del Derecho Canónico, [Sapientia Iuris], BAC, Madrid 2024, 308 pp., ISBN 978-84-220-2360-9.

MASSIMO DEL POZZO, Liturgical abuses: nature, history and remedies.

2025-02-09T18:38:46+00:00

Book review of: Massimo del Pozzo, Gli abusi liturgici: natura, storia e rimedi, Roma: EDUSC, 2024, 221 pp., ISBN 979-12-5482-240-1

PALASCIANO, Gabriele (Ed.), Christianity, cancel culture and wokism. What relationship with the past in contemporary society?

2025-03-11T18:54:13+00:00

Book review: PALASCIANO, Gabriele (Ed.), Christianisme, cancel culture et wokisme. Quel rapport au passé en société contemporaine? Paris: L’Harmattan, 2024, 242 p., ISBN: 978-2-336-43836-8.

The delict of negligence in the administration of ecclesiastical goods (c. 1376 § 2 .2)

2025-03-03T12:53:03+00:00

One of the characteristics that marks the pontificate of Pope Francis is his firm fight against any form of abuse, be it sexual, power or also economic. With respect to the latter, this pontiff proceeded with the reform of Book VI of the reform of Book VI of the Code of Canon Law, thus providing ecclesiastical discipline with norms capable of responding to current pastoral needs and promoting responsibility and equality in the exercise of office, function or ministry in the Church. This article presents the study of the delict type included in c. 1376 § 2 n. 2, referring to the negligence in the administration of ecclesiastical goods and the criteria for a correct and coherent interpretation with canonical doctrine.

Abandoned catholic churches in Italy: current challenges and future prospects

2025-05-14T11:49:47+00:00

The issue of abandoned catholic churches is particularly relevant and topical given the ever-increasing number of places of worship that – both in Italy and in Europe – are effectively closed, abandoned or transformed in whole or in part, and for which the problem of their “conversion” arises as an alternative to their demolition or alienation. With this contribution, the Author intends to address the issue of churches that are no longer officiated or abandoned, also attempting to offer some food for thought on the possible ways of managing and administering the historical, artistic and cultural heritage of the Catholic Church.

Between worship and culture: the church's dual role as conservator of its heritage

2025-05-12T11:36:31+00:00

The concept of intangible cultural heritage opens new perspectives regarding the conservation of cultural assets. It is a continuously evolving concept, as this heritage is "constantly recreated by communities". The Church acknowledges the cultural role its goods play in society, while always bearing in mind that their primary function is worship, for which they were originally created. From within the ecclesial community, which also possesses significant intangible heritage, new approaches must emerge for combining these two functions in a way that supports pastoral action, which should not be detached from cultural engagement.

Regulations on temporary goods applicable to sui iuris nuns' houses.

2025-06-05T08:28:16+00:00

Over the centuries, the regulations governing nunneries have evolved to achieve the regime of autonomy that is now characteristic of sui iuris houses. This is limited to a specific type of surveillance in the case of monasteries dating back to c. 615. Such that intervention would only be justified in relation to serious and damaging events, such as those perpetrated by the community of Belorado, where some of the nuns even went so far as to provoke their own excommunication through a schism. Following this historical evolution, this article will present the most significant events related to temporary goods (since they are at the root of the conflict) as well as the canonical and secular regulations applicable to them.

Restoration of church properties belonging to the monumental heritage in the autonomous community of Galicia.

2025-05-28T12:31:57+00:00

The Church has been a pioneer in the conservation of cultural heritage, which includes monumental heritage, the subject of this work and for centuries has paved the way in the secular sphere. Currently, this matter is governed by international agreements establishing recommendations for its restoration and conservation, as well as by national and regional legislation and the urban planning plans of each municipality. Given the importance of ecclesiastical heritage, legislation provides for the participation of the Catholic Church, through joint commissions, in the bureaucratic process prior to any intervention.

Adaptive reuse of religious heritage buildings.

2025-05-12T11:39:14+00:00

The adaptive reuse of ecclesiastical heritage buildings is becoming increasingly necessary as religious institutions grapple with declining vocations, financial constraints, and changing societal roles. This study examines the adaptive reuse of a 16th-century convent in Miranda de Ebro, Spain, using a validated evaluative model tailored to religious heritage buildings. The adaptive reuse process involves transforming sacred spaces into venues with new functions while preserving their architectural, historical, and cultural significance. In Spain, where the Catholic Church oversees approximately 80% of protected heritage sites, such interventions are both urgent and complex. The study analyzes the economic, social, cultural, and ecclesiastical factors influencing the feasibility and sustainability of reuse efforts. Key benefits of adaptive reuse include environmental sustainability, economic revitalization, and community engagement, but religious buildings present unique challenges due to their spiritual symbolism, legal protection, and institutional governance. Findings indicate that a hybrid civic-cultural function represents the most viable and respectful reuse option for the convent. The paper concludes with policy recommendations to support culturally sensitive reuse and strengthen cooperation between Church and state authorities. This study contributes to the advancement of adaptive reuse methodologies and offers a replicable framework for scholars and practitioners navigating ecclesiastical heritage redevelopment.

The legality around the alienation of the altarpiece and frontal of the Virgin of the Hair

2025-06-19T08:11:32+00:00

The Retable and Frontal of the Virgin of the Hair is a 14th-century religious and artistic work from the Monastery of San Juan de Quejana, Alava, Euskadi. However, the retable and frontal are currently housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, United States. The reason for its current location is that the work was sold in 1913 by the Dominican nuns of the monastery with permission from the Bishopric of Vitoria and the Nunciature. Nevertheless, the sale was carried out without the approval of the patronage, in this case, the Alba family, successors of the Ayala family, the founding family of the monastery and the work. Indeed, the legality of this sale has been historically questioned. Therefore, this study will introduce the legal arguments on which its illegality could be based.