The 1983 Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church affects more than just marriage tribunals and annulment cases.   Canon Law touches every part of the Catholic Church in some way.   This website has been assembled to provide helpful references for topics within the code for the canon lawyer, or for anyone who needs specific and technical canonical information.

The Canonical Reference Documents contain developed articles related to specific circumstances, such as the writing of statutes, the closing of a parish, or the drafting of religious law.   These documents are technical and meant to summarize the important aspects of a topic.   These documents address the canonical issues of a situation, and not pastoral or theological issues.

Because every situation is unique, the information on this site is not intended to counsel anyone on a specific course of action in an individual circumstance.   Many issues in canon law may also have ramifications in civil law.   Before taking any canonical action, I recommend that you consult with a qualified canon or civil lawyer to discuss your specific case or situation.

The Texts of the Codes of Canon Law provides links to the Pio-Benedictine Code of Canon Law (1917 Code of Canon Law), the 1983 Code of Canon Law for the Latin Church, and the 1990 Code of Canon Law for Oriental Churches (Eastern Rite).   These documents are provided in English and Latin, and in a format that allows them to be easily searched to help those who are looking for specific information in the code.

Do you have a question related to canon law that you would like answered?

Send an e-mail to Father Jason Gray at jgray@jgray.org.

Father Jason Gray is a priest of the Diocese of Peoria, and a Canon Lawyer.  He is administrator of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Peoria.

Some of the topics treated in the canonical reference documents include the following:

Causes and Proofs for Removal of a Pastor, a JCL Thesis
Remuneration vs. Sustenance of clerics
Canon Law vs. Illinois Marriage Law
The Structuring of a diocese and its parishes
References to Statutes in the Code
Summary of Statutes in the Code
Contents of Religious Proper Law
Closing, Selling, and Suppressing a Parish