Do you need to be a believer to study Canon Law?

[stylus59]

Article 31 of Sapientia Christiana states that “Ecclesiastical Faculties are open to all, whether ecclesiastics or laity”. As an agnostic interested in Catholic jurisprudence, am I allowed to be admitted in a Canon Law program? Suppose that I also “can legally give testimony to leading a moral life and to having completed the previous studies appropriate to enrolling in the Faculty” in pursuance to the said Article.

 

[Trishie]

There doesn’t appear to be any specific stated requirements relating to your particular situation, but that could be due to the probability that isn’t common for an agnostic to wish to study Canon Law.

however, they might consider, from their viewpoint at least, that there is always the possibility that you may come to a different place regarding faith and ecclesiastic content, so on that point alone you might be admitted.

I think in your situation I’d apply and find out for certain if you can be admitted.

All the best!

 

[acanonlawyer]

I know of no requirement that a student of canon law must be Catholic. It has been a while since I applied…I can’t recall whether or not the application included a question about religious affiliation. It probably did but as far as what would have happened if I had said “none”, I don’t know.

In order to work as a canon lawyer in/for the Church, however, the person has to be Catholic.

Dan

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

No. Some of the Church’s most valued modern theologians, like Scott Hahn, studied Cannon Law among other things in his quest to “disprove” Catholicism and was won over by it. I have actually seen few non-believers who claim to be knowledgeable in Catholic Canon Law and Catechism who remain non-believers.

 

[Usige]

No. Some of the Church’s most valued modern theologians, like Scott Hahn, studied Cannon Law among other things in his quest to “disprove” Catholicism and was won over by it. I have actually seen few non-believers who claim to be knowledgeable in Catholic Canon Law and Catechism who remain non-believers.

There’s a difference between studying Canon Law inside and outside the bounds or an ecclesiastic program though.

I have studied canon law, but have never been admitted, or even applied, to a canon law degree program.

I don’t think the question is if one can study canon law, so much as can someone obtain a JCL or JCD if they are not Catholic.