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Doctor of Canon Law (Catholic Church)

Catholic doctoral-level terminal degree

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Canon law of the Catholic Church
Ius vigens (current law) 1983 Code of Canon Law Omnium in mentem Magnum principium Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches Ad tuendam fidem Ex corde Ecclesiae Indulgentiarum Doctrina Praedicate evangelium Veritatis gaudium Custom Matrimonial nullity trial reforms of Pope Francis Documents of the Second Vatican Council Christus Dominus Lumen gentium Optatam totius Orientalium ecclesiarum Presbyterorum ordinis Sacrosanctum concilium Precepts of the Church
Legal history Jus antiquum (c. 33-1140) Ancient Church Orders Didache The Apostolic Constitutions Canons of the Apostles Collections of ancient canons Collectiones canonum Dionysianae Collectio canonum quadripartita Collectio canonum Quesnelliana Collectio canonum Wigorniensis Gelasian Decree Symmachian forgeries Pseudo-Isidorian Decretals Donation of Constantine Gregorian Reform Lay investiture controversy Dictatus papae Libertas ecclesiae Plenitudo potestatis Jus novum (c. 1140-1563) Corpus Juris Canonici Decretum Gratiani Decretist Canon Episcopi Margaritae Jus commune Decretals of Gregory IX Decretalist Regulæ Juris Extravagantes Liber Septimus Jus novissimum (c. 1563-1918) Council of Trent Benedictus Deus Tametsi Apostolicae Sedis moderationi Jus codicis (1918-present) 1917 Code of Canon Law Ecclesiae Sanctae 1983 Code of Canon Law Other Contractum trinius Papal judge-delegate Right of option
Eastern law Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches Eastern Canonical Reforms of Pius XII Nomocanon Eparchy Exarchate Ordinariate for Eastern Catholic faithful Protosyncellus
Liturgical law Latin Church General Roman Calendar Ranking of liturgical days in the Roman Rite General Instruction of the Roman Missal Code of Rubrics Sacrosanctum Concilium Mysterii Paschalis Musicam sacram Scripturarum thesaurus Liturgiam authenticam Quattuor abhinc annos Ecclesia Dei Summorum Pontificum Magnum principium Traditionis custodes Red Mass Holy day of obligation
Sacramental law Communicatio in sacris Ex opere operato Omnium in mentem Validity and liceity Sacraments Holy Orders Impediment (Catholic canon law) Abstemius Defect of birth Obligation of celibacy Nullity of Sacred Ordination Apostolicae curae Dimissorial letters Episcopal consecrators Approbation (Catholic canon law) Confession Penitential canons Paenitentiale Theodori Seal of the Confessional Internal and external forum Note on the importance of the internal forum and the inviolability of the Sacramental Seal Apostolic Penitentiary Canon penitentiary Complicit absolution Sacramentum Poenitentiae Eucharist Eucharistic discipline Canon 915 Celebret Mass stipend Sacramentals Indulgence Indulgentiarum doctrina Sacred places Altars Major basilica Minor basilica Oratory (chapel) Sacred times Feast days Fast days and abstinence Paenitemini Holy day of obligation
Matrimonial law Canonical form (Latin Church) Tametsi Ne Temere Banns of marriage Declaration of Nullity Dignitas connubii Matrimonial Nullity Trial Reforms of Pope Francis Vetitum Defender of the Bond Impediments to Marriage Affinity Clandestinity Impediment of crime Disparity of cult Ligamen Public propriety Matrimonial dispensation Ratum sed non consummatum Sanatio in radice Natural marriage Pauline privilege Petrine privilege
Supreme authority, particular churches, and canonical structures Supreme authority of the Church Roman Pontiff College of Bishops Supra-diocesan/eparchal structures College of Cardinals Conference of bishops Synod of Bishops Particular churches Churches sui juris Latin Church Eastern Catholic Churches Local particular churches Appointment of bishops Abbacy nullius Apostolic vicariate Apostolic vicar Apostolic administration Apostolic administrator Diocese/Archdiocese Aeque principaliter Cathedraticum In persona episcopi Diocesan Curia Moderator of the Curia Chancery Deanery Vicar forane Eparchy Eparchal curia Military ordinariate Mission sui juris Personal ordinariate Anglicanorum Coetibus Juridic persons Parish Team of priests in solidum Collegiate church Parish register Lay trusteeism Roman Curia Dicastery Congregation Pontifical council Personal prelature Types of membership of Opus Dei Association of the Christian faithful Vicar general Quinquennial visit ad limina
Jurisprudence Canonical coronation Canonically crowned images Computation of time Custom Delegata potestas non potest delegari Derogation Dispensation Taxa Innocentiana Faculty Indult Impediment Donation Interpretation Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts Jurisdiction Peritus Obreption & subreption Obrogation Promulgation Resignation of the Roman Pontiff Sede vacante Simony Vacatio legis Validity and liceity Visitation Apostolic visitor Philosophy, theology, and fundamental theory of Catholic canon law Theology Ecclesiology Treatise on Law Determinatio
Temporal goods (property) Benefice Cathedraticum Contract law Mass stipend Stole fee Temporalities
Law of persons Person (Catholic canon law) Formal act of defection from the Catholic Church Canonical age Emancipation Exemption Heresy Clerics Secular clergy Regular clergy Obligation of celibacy Clerics and public office Incardination and excardination Laicization (dispensation) Canonical faculties Office Canonical provision Canonical election Juridic and physical persons Jus patronatus Associations of the faithful Consecrated life
Canonical documents Acta Apostolicae Sedis Acta Sanctae Sedis Censor librorum Imprimatur Imprimi potest Notary Protonotary apostolic Apostolic constitution Canon Concordat Decree Decretal Encyclical Motu proprio Ordinance Papal brief Papal bull Penitential Positive law Rescript Parish register Ecclesiastical Latin
Penal law Canon 1324 Canon 1397 §2 Censure (Catholic canon law) De delictis gravioribus Complicit absolution Crimen sollicitationis Excommunication List of excommunicable offences in the Catholic Church List of people excommunicated by the Catholic Church List of cardinals excommunicated by the Catholic Church Interdict Laicization (penal) Latae sententiae and ferendae sententiae Lifetime of prayer and penance Canonical admonitions Ecclesiastical prison
Procedural law Pars statica (tribunals & ministers/parties) Tribunals Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura Tribunal of the Roman Rota Apostolic Penitentiary Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Ministers of Justice Judicial Vicar/Officialis Auditor Parties Defender of the Bond Procurator Pars dynamica (trial procedure) Dignitas connubii (matrimonial causes) Appeal as from an abuse Presumption Penal procedure Vos estis lux mundi Canonization Congregation for the Causes of Saints Maiorem hac dilectionem Advocatus Diaboli Oblatio vitae Positio Beatification and canonization process in 1914 Election of the Roman Pontiff Current law Universi Dominici gregis Papal renunciation Reforms of Pope Benedict XVI Historical Cum proxime Jus exclusivae Papal appointment Aeterni Patris Filius Romano Pontifici eligendo Ingravescentem aetatem Ubi periculum Quia propter
Legal practice and scholarship List of legal abbreviations Academic degrees Licentiate of Canon Law Doctor of Canon Law Doctor of both laws Journals and Professional Societies Canon Law Society of America The Jurist Faculties of canon law School of Canon Law Canonists Medieval Gratian Hostiensis Jean Lemoine Raymond of Penyafort Rufinus Johannes Teutonicus Geoffrey of Trani Burchard of Worms Brocard Modern & Contemporary Eugenio Corecco John D. Faris Pietro Gasparri Ladislas Orsy Edward N. Peters
Law of consecrated life Solemn vow Exclaustration Manifestation of Conscience Canonical erection of a house of religious Pontifical right Diocesan right Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life Institute of consecrated life Religious institute Congregation Order Monasticism Canons regular Mendicant orders Clerics regular Secular institute Cum Sanctissimus Primo Feliciter Provida Mater Ecclesia Society of apostolic life Decretum laudis
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Doctor of Canon Law (Latin: Juris Canonici Doctor, JCD) is the doctoral-level terminal degree in the studies of canon law of the Roman Catholic Church. It can also be an honorary degree awarded by Anglican colleges. It may also be abbreviated ICDordr.iur.can. (Iuris Canonici Doctor), ICDr, DCL, DCnl, DDC, or DCanL (Doctor of Canon Law). A doctor of both laws (i.e. canon and civil) is a JUD (Juris Utriusque Doctor) or UJD (Utriusque Juris Doctor).

A doctorate in canon law normally requires earning the degree Licentiate of Canon Law, then at least two years of additional study and the development and defence of an original dissertation that contributes to the development of canon law. Only a pontifical university or ecclesiastical faculties of canon law may grant the doctorate or licentiate in canon law.

The Licentiate of Canon Law is a three-year degree. The prerequisite for it is normally the graduate-level Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology, a Master of Divinity, or a Master of Arts in Catholic Theology.

While not a civil law degree, the doctor of canon law is in some ways comparable to the Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD) or doctor of laws (LLD) in terms of the nature of study, as they are terminal academic research degrees as opposed to professional degrees.

Members of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, Auditors of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota, judicial vicars, ecclesiastical judges, defenders of the bond, and promoters of justice, must possess either a doctorate or licence in canon law. Either of the degrees is recommended for those who serve as vicar generalorepiscopal vicar in a diocese. Candidates for bishop must either possess the doctorate in canon law or the doctorate in sacred theology or be truly expert in one of those fields. Canonical advocates must possess the doctorate or be truly expert.

The Roman Church has the oldest continuously used homogeneous legal system in the world. Following the Gregorian Reform's emphasis on canon law, bishops formed cathedral schools to train the clergy in canon law. Consequently, many of the medieval universities of Europe founded faculties of canon law (e.g., Cambridge and Oxford). Since the Protestant Reformation, however, they became limited to those universities which retained Catholic faculties (e.g., Pontifical Lateran University, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), Gregorian University, Catholic University of Louvain, Faculty of Canon Law "S. Pio X" in Venice). Other Catholic universities with ecclesiastical faculties in canon law were subsequently given the ability to grant the degree (e.g., the Catholic University of America School of Canon Law, University of Saint Paul). The University of Santo TomasinManila, Philippines, has been awarding the degree since 1734.

• Lorenzo Antonetti, President Emeritus of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See
• Antonio Arregui Yarza, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Guayaquil, Ecuador; awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law by the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)^[1]
• Carlos Azpiroz Costa, former Master of the Order of Preachers; awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law by the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)^[2]
• Pope Benedict XV, pope
• Tarcisio Bertone, Cardinal Secretary of State Emeritus
• Anthony Bevilacqua, cardinal, Archbishop Emeritus of Philadelphia, United States
• Alberto Bovone, cardinal, Prefect-Emeritus of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints; awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law by the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)
• Seán Brady, Cardinal Archbishop of Armagh, Ireland
• Raymond Leo Burke, Cardinal Prefect - Emeritus of the Apostolic Signatura, Archbishop Emeritus of Saint Louis, Missouri, and Bishop Emeritus of La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States
• Carlo Caffarra, cardinal, Archbishop Emeritus of Bologna, Italy
• Darío Castrillón Hoyos, cardinal, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei
• Nicolaus Copernicus, mathematician and astronomer of the Renaissance, formulated a heliocentric model of the universe; received degree 31 May 1503 (Jure Canonico ... et doctoratus)
• Kevin John Dunn, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, England; awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law by the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)^[3]
• Edward Egan, cardinal, Archbishop Emeritus of New York, United States
• Angelo Felici, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei
• Georg Gänswein, Archbishop, Prefect of the Papal Household, private secretary to Pope Benedict XVI
• Pietro Gasparri, cardinal, Holy See Secretary of State, codifier of the 1917 Code of Canon Law
• Bruno Heim, late Titular ArchbishopofXanthus, Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus to Great Britain, prominent armorist of twentieth-century ecclesiastical heraldry
• Julián Herranz Casado, cardinal, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts; awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law by the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)^[4]
• William Keeler, Archbishop Emeritus of Baltimore, United States
• Thomas C. Kelly, Archbishop Emeritus of Louisville, Kentucky, United States; awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law by the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)^[5]
• Giuseppe Lazzarotto, Apostolic Nuncio to Australia
• Jerome Edward Listecki, Archbishop of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and formerly Bishop of La Crosse, Wisconsin; Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, Illinois, United States; awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law by the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)^[6]
• William Lyndwood, English Bishop of St Davids, diplomat and canonist, most notable for the publisher of The Provinciale
• Mary McAleese, President of Ireland 1997 - 2011
• Edward A. McCarthy, Archbishop Emeritus of Miami, Florida, and namesake of Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy High SchoolinFt. Lauderdale, Florida, United States
• Celestino Migliore, archbishop, Apostolic Nuncio to Poland and formerly the Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer, Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations
• Gerald Moverley, Bishop Emeritus of Hallam, England; awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law by the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)^[7]
• David M. O'Connell, Bishop of Trenton, New Jersey, United States, and President Emeritus of the Catholic University of America; awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law from the Catholic University of America^[8]
• Silvio Oddi, cardinal, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Clergy; awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law by the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)^[9]
• Thomas Paprocki, Bishop of Springfield, Illinois, United States
• Pope Paul VI, pope; awarded Doctorate in Canon Law from the University of Milan
• Peter Smith, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cardiff, Wales; awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law by the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)^[10]
• Edward N. Peters, referendary of the Apostolic Signatura; awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law by the Catholic University of America School of Canon Law in 1991
• Francisco Polti Santillan, Bishop of Santiago del Estero, Argentina
• Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals
• Angelo Sodano, Emeritus Dean of the College of Cardinals
• Jean-Louis Tauran, cardinal, former President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue
• Rik Torfs, professor of Canon Law at Catholic University of Leuven, former senator for the Christian Democratic and Flemish party in the Belgian Senate, former rector of the Catholic University of Leuven
• Mar Varkey Vithayathil, cardinal, Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly, India; awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law by the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)^[11]