THE MODIFICATiON OF THE TERRITORY OF A PATRIARCHAL CHURCH – CANONICAL PROVISIONS

THE ATTEMPTS OF A MAJOR ARCHIEPISCOPAL CHURCH AND THE RESPONSES OF THE APOSTOLIC SEE

Authors

  • Varghese Poothavelithara Dharmaram Vidhya Kshetram, Bangalore, India

Keywords:

ecclesiastical provinces, synod, extension, jurishdiction, proper, territorial, petition, missionaries, ordinary, hierarchy

Abstract

This article is a study on CCEO c. 146 §2, which indicates the procedure for modifying the territorial boundaries of a patriarchal Church, and its application in the life of Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church in India. In order to submit the petition for modifying the territory of a patriarchal Church to the Roman Pontiff, the synod of bishops of the respective patriarchal Church should investigate the matter; consult with the superior administrative authority of the Churches sui iuris concerned; discuss the matter in the synod; and is to present the petition supported with proper documents. The article explores the various aspects of these requirements. Following this canonical analysis, it presents both the Syro-Malabar Church’s attempts to extend its proper territory and the Apostolic See’s responses to these attempts. Though there are many facts that make the demand of this Church sui iuris legitimate and reasonable, it is not yet fully realized. Only partial fulfillments have been granted by the Roman Pontiff due to several reasons.

Author Biography

Varghese Poothavelithara, Dharmaram Vidhya Kshetram, Bangalore, India

Varghese Poothavelithara is a Syro-Malabar Catholic priest belonging to the Major Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly. He was born in Vaikom, Kerala, India and was ordained on 7 February 1996. He holds a doctorate in Oriental Canon Law from Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome. He had his ministries as parish priest, secretary to the bishops, defender of bond, judge at the Metropolitan Tribunal, etc. in his archeparchy. At present he is serving as assistant professor of Canon Law at the Institute of Oriental Canon Law, DVK, Bangalore and as notary at the eparchial tribunal of Mandya-Bangalore.

Downloads

Published

2020-08-02

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2018): Iustitia: Dharmaram Journal of Canon Law

Section

Articles