To work for the proper implementation of canon law is to play an extraordinarily

constructive role in continuing the redemptive mission of Christ. Pope John Paul II

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Resources on the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura

Overview

The Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura is the Catholic Church's highest court.

The Law

1983 CIC 1445. § 1. Supremum Signaturae Apostolicae Tribunal cognoscit: 1° querelas nullitatis et petitiones restitutionis in integrum et alios recursus contra sententias rotales; 2° recursus in causis de statu personarum, quas ad novum examen Rota Romana admittere renuit; 3° exceptiones suspicionis aliasque causas contra Auditores Rotae Romanae propter acta in exercitio ipsorum muneris; 4° conflictus competentiae de quibus in can. 1416. § 2. Ipsum Tribunal videt de contentionibus ortis ex actu potestatis administrativae ecclesiasticae ad eam legitime delatis, de aliis controversiis administrativis quae a Romano Pontifice vel a Romanae Curiae dicasteriis ipsi deferantur, et de conflictu competentiae inter eadem dicasteria. § 3. Supremi huius Tribunalis praeterea est: 1° rectae administrationi iustitiae invigilare et in advocatos vel procuratores, si opus sit, animadvertere; 2° tribunalium competentiam prorogare; 3° promovere et approbare erectionem tribunalium, de quibus in cann. 1423 et 1439.

• Eng. trans., 1983 CIC 1445. § 1. The supreme tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura adjudicates: 1º complaints of nullity, petitions for restitutio in integrum and other recourses against rotal sentences; 2º recourses in cases concerning the status of persons which the Roman Rota refused to admit to a new examination; 3º exceptions of suspicion and other cases against the auditors of the Roman Rota for acts done in the exercise of their function; 4º conflicts of competence mentioned in can. 1416. § 2. This tribunal deals with conflicts which have arisen from an act of ecclesiastical administrative power and are brought before it legitimately, with other administrative controversies which the Roman Pontiff or the dicasteries of the Roman Curia bring before it, and with a conflict of competence among these dicasteries. § 3. Furthermore it is for this supreme tribunal: 1º to watch over the correct administration of justice and discipline advocates or procurators if necessary; 2º to extend the competence of tribunals; 3º to promote and approve the erection of the tribunals mentioned in cann. 1423 and 1439.

John Paul II, ap. con. Pastor bonus (28 iun 1988), Acta Apostolicae Sedis 80 (1988) 841-912, artt. 121-125, on-line PDF here, Eng. trans. available in Canon Law Society of America, Code of Canon Law, Latin-English Edition, New English Translation (Canon Law Society of America, 1999) 679-734, at 720-721, and on-line here.

Benedict XVI, m.p. Antiqua ordinatione (21 iun 2008), Acta Apostolicae Sedis100 (2008) 513-538, on-line PDF here, basic text also here.

Studies

See also

Wiki

Apostolic

Signatura

William Daniel, ed., Ministerium Iustitiae: Jurisprudence of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, Official Latin with English translation (Wilson & Lafleur, 2011) 776 pp. Review: J. Coughlin, The Jurist 72 (2012) 314-315.

William Daniel (American layman, b. =) "The doctrinal contribution of Zenon Grocholewski to the canonical notion of administrative justice, Studia Canonica 46 (2012) 183-229.

P. Bonnet & C. Gullo, eds., La Lex Propria del S.T. della Segnatura Apostolica (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2010) 504 pp. Review: W. Daniel, Studia Canonica 46 (2012) 259-261.

John Coughlin (American Franciscan, b. 1954), Administrative Justice at the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura and the United States Supreme Court: a comparative study (Gregorianum, 1994) 366 pp.

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