Justice and Mercy in Ecclesiastical Penal Actions: Insights from Recent Reforms in CCEO

Abstract

This paper examines the application of justice and mercy in ecclesiastical penal law, focusing on recent reforms in the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (CCEO) introduced through Vocare Peccatores. It explores the Church’s mission to uphold justice while fostering repentance, addressing key aspects such as the occurrence of delicts, the addition of new offenses and penalties, and the role of warnings as corrective measures. The study further analyzes judicial discretion, the principles for applying penalties, and the impact of aggravating or extenuating factors, including prescription in penal norms. By assessing these developments, the paper explains how recent penal reforms enhance canonical discipline, ensuring fairness, proportionality, and pastoral care in penal procedures.