Tribunals of the Roman Curia

Tribunals of the Roman Curia in the Old Code of Canon Law

In 1918, in the book “A Commentary and Summary of the New Code of Canon Law”, the author, Rev. Stanislaus Woywod wrote (references were to the old Code of Canon Law, no the 1983 Code of Canon Law):

• The Sacred Penitentiary is presided over by a Cardinal called the Major Poenitentiarius. The
  jurisdiction of this tribunal is limited to affairs concerning the internal forum, both sacramental and nonsacramental. (1) (2)
• The tribunals of The Roman Rota and The Signatura Apostolica decide cases that must be
  settled by canonical trial, within the limits and according to the rules laid down in Canons 1598-1605. (Canon 259.)

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Notes

• It grants favors for the internal forum exclusively as for instance, absolutions, dispensations,
  commutations, sanations, condonations. The Sacred Penitentiary does, moreover, discuss and decide questions of conscience.
• The use and concession of Indulgences is also subject to the Sacred Penitentiary, saving the right of the Holy Office to decide dogmatic questions on Indulgences and indulgenced prayers and devotions. (Canon 258.)

See Also

• Code of Canon Law
• Canon Law
• Early Roman Law
• Rescripts
• Ecclesiastical Courts Decline in Power
• Roman Law
• Dispensation
• Military Tribunals
• Western European Tribunals
• Roman Oratory
• Roman Schools of Law
• Roman Law Effects
• Anglo-Roman-Dutch Law
• Post-Medieval Roman Law