A Concise Guide to Canon Law; A Practical Handbook for Pastoral Ministers

Canon law is a snap for Canon Lawyers. However, there are many people who work in a parish who are not conversant in this mysterious subject, but are surrounded by people, things, and circumstances which pose questions that can only be answered by Canon Law. Although each diocese provides guidelines for many things like requirements for baptism and confirmation, or who can and who cannot be sponsors for these sacraments, sometimes things get a bit more complicated and when the pastor or priest is not around and the staff does not always know where to find those answers. There are the perennial issues like: when a dispensation or special permission must be obtained to perform a wedding. Going to the actual  Code of Canon Law: Latin-English Edition , or using the  New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law  or the older versions:  Code of Canon Law: A Text and Commentary  and  Code of Canon Law a Text and Commentary, Study Edition , is more frightening for the untrained staff than helpful.This is a great tool to keep close by in any parish office. It is written by a Canon Lawyer for everyday people. Its Table of Contents provides easy entry to the subject for which you are looking for answers. It offers information primarily on the seven Sacraments, but also on parishes, the diocese, annulments, property and things like the obligations and rights of all Catholics. As the product Description says, it "puts the answers right at your fingertips."Although this may prove indispensible for a parish staff, I would recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about Church Law. It makes a good textbook for a class. It is a welcome addition to anyone's library who just wants to know more about how the Church administrates itself. It also provides actual Code #'s, should one want to delve into the Code itself.

As the Parish Secretary in a Roman Catholic Church, I am surprised at how mamy people think that the nice lady answering the phone could answer questions about Canon Law. In my quest to serve the parishioners, my bosses (priests), deacons, seminarians, and the Sisters in our Convent, I decided to buy this book. It provides simple explanations for complex questions and situations so that I am able to at least direct people to the right place or help them formulate the questions they need to ask a priest or deacon.I think it's a great book for any of those religious listed above as well, for quick reference when dealing with the most common situations: marriage and annulment, baptisms, adult confirmation. And provides a way to teach these concepts to people going through RCIA. I let everyone use this copy, I might have to splurge on an extra copy.

We are in the process of revising many of our Parish manuals and directories. This Guide was a very useful reference tool to ensure we were within Canon Law in what we were revising and reviewing. It was a great "concise" guide indeed to an otherwise tedious and perhaps not exciting concept. We completed in short time what at the onset we thought would take forever and this guide was part of the reason why the timeline was shortened.

Excellent little book which gives an accurate overall, simplified version of Canon Law. It is easy to understand and opens itself up to further research if the reader chooses to do so. It is a good resource for all Catholics and those interested in Canon Law.

It was just right to spark my interest in Canon Law and assist me with one of my projects that is due before the end of the month.

This book really didn’t cover what I expected it to. Not enough information.

Good book but not detailed as expected. However it can help a novice to know something about Canon Law and the Catholic Church

You will find a lot of concise but valuable information in this book. It is easy to read. It is well organized. People in pastoral ministry will find the book very useful.

It is what it says very useful

This is a concise and useful reference guide to Canon Law that is handy to have by one's desk in the parish office. While it is a quick and easy reference guide, some study and understanding of Canon Law would also benefit when handling more intricately delicate situations, concerns, or questions. Otherwise, consult your pastor if in doubt. However, it is a good read, if only to gain some insight to the machinations of the Church through what is outlined in Canon Law - all based on Scripture.

What seems like an ominous subject is made easy by the well presented guide. Suitable for deacon study or lay reader.