Is the 1917 Code of Canon Law book worth buying?

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Or would it be moot, since they released the “new” Code of Law in 1983?

Side question - Does anyone own the [1917] book?
 
That would depend on why you want to buy it. Yes, it’s “moot.” I mean, a great deal of it would still be the same, but only the recent version is the law. But, if you like old books or would find it interesting to read, then go for it.
 
I guess if you are interested in Canon Law, the only reason to buy the 1917 Canon might be to study the development of certain issues. A few days ago I was reading something (I don’t know for sure) but I think it was Archbishop Burke (again I don’t know for sure) who wrote an opinion on something where he went into the 1983 and 1917 Codes. I think it was his opinion on Communion for Politicians who support abortion. I do not know for sure if it was that document but I remember reading something where both Codes were used to show the progression of Church thought. I tried looking for this document and I cannot find it as of yet.
 
One thing to keep in mind regarding the 1917 Canon Law. It was forbidden to translate it.
 
ProVobis said:
One thing to keep in mind regarding the 1917 Canon Law. It was forbidden to translate it.
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I just googled “1917 canon law forbidden translate” and all that came up was this thread.
 
ProVobis said:
One thing to keep in mind regarding the 1917 Canon Law. It was forbidden to translate it.
Click to expand...
I would like to know the source of this info, too. I’ve never heard this, although I can think of a reason why it might have the policy. In any event, I doubt the prohibition would still apply. I do own a copy myself.
 
Unless you’re a canon lawyer or canon law historian, I figure for something like this, if you can get it online for free, no use owning it (the same for the 1983 Code). It’s is not the kind of thing you sit back in your armchair and read nor is it a reference that most people will use on a regular basis (especially a past edition).:coffeeread:
 
I would say it’s only worth buying if you’re regularly going to be reading/studying canon law. The 1983 code lists its sources (or fontes) for various canons, but it does it in a shorthand way by using a reference to the 1917 code to include all of the sources for that older canon, too. So if you want to know what a particular canon’s history or precedents might be, the 1983 code will seem deceptively short on sources until you open up the 1917 code and see all the other jurisprudence cited.
 
Mister_De said:
Or would it be moot, since they released the “new” Code of Law in 1983?

Side question - Does anyone own the [1917] book?
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No, its VERY good. I would highly recommend you get it (I have it.) I also recommend Moral Theology by Fr Heribert Jone (TAN).
 
Just as a point of interest, it was never “forbidden” to translate the Codex Iuris – but any such translation was really pretty much useless as the code was always interpreted based upon the Latin text, and canon lawyers studied the Latin, not a translation. Today the translations are studied, but the “official” version is still the Latin version.

Deacon Ed
 
Keep in mind, that while the Latin version is official, most of today’s Latin texts were written in another language (The CCC was written in French first.) then translated into Latin.

John
 
Deacon_Ed said:
Just as a point of interest, it was never “forbidden” to translate the Codex Iuris – but any such translation was really pretty much useless as the code was always interpreted based upon the Latin text, and canon lawyers studied the Latin, not a translation. Today the translations are studied, but the “official” version is still the Latin version.

Deacon Ed
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Thanks for this information. I had heard it before but couldn’t remember the exact context of the prohibition.

So it would follow that if we are to compare and discuss the Canon Laws of 1917 and 1983, it would be in our best interest to compare the Latin texts and take it from there. Another good reason to study Latin.
 
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