CANON LAW SOCIETY OF AMERICA
The Canon Law Society of America is a non-
profit research association of canon lawyers that
helps the Roman Catholic Church to address
contemporary issues and internal conflicts
within the framework of the church’s system of
CANON LAW. The society drafts opinions on top-
ics at the request of bishops and other persons
within the church.
Canon law is the set of rules a church or reli-
gion establishes for itself in order to make
administrative and ecclesiastical (religious)
decisions. The Roman Catholic Church has an
elaborate body of canon law that has been evolv-
ing since the fourth century and which has
played a historical role in the development of
public law.
The Canon Law Society of America helps
Catholic decision makers, especially bishops and
tribunal judges, to evaluate and set policy. The
church’s tribunal courts were the model for sec-
ular court systems and operate similarly. Tri-
bunal judges decide cases such as marriage
ANNULMENTS based on the facts of each case.
When a tribunal judge wants more information
before ruling on an unusual or difficult case the
judge may request research or an ADVISORY
OPINION from the Canon Law Society.
The society’s written opinions are advisory
only and carry no authority in the church.How-
ever, the society’s position has influenced the
church’s stand on such controversial topics as
whether females may serve as altar attendants
(now they may). Other issues addressed by the
society in the 1990s include questions about the
scope of ordained ministers’ duties, the role of
lay ministers, and how Mass should be cele-
brated.
Another activity of the society is to promote
the use of codes of canon law issued by the Vat-
ican (the seat of Roman Catholic administra-
tion) in 1983 and 1990.
Periodicals produced by the society include
the Canon Law Digest; Proceedings, which recaps
the society’s annual meeting; and Roman Replies
and CLSA Advisory Opinions, which tracks tri-
bunal case law. The society also has published
studies on marriage annulment, confidentiality,
and DUE PROCESS for persons in the church, a
procedural handbook for the clergy, and other
materials.
Established in 1939 and based at the Catholic University of America, in Washington, D.C., the society is supported by annual membership dues. In 1995, it consisted of 1,550 members internationally. Membership is open to non-Catholics. Institutions and interested individuals may join as associate members.
FURTHER READINGS
Canon Law Society of America. Available online at .clsa.org> (Accessed November 20, 2003).
Green, Thomas J. 1993. “The Canon Law Society of America and the Revision of the Code: Historical Reflections and Continuing Concerns.” The Jurist 53 (winter).
