What path do I take to become a lay Canon Lawyer?

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hamburglar

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I am considering a possible career/vocation as a lay Canon Lawyer. What path would I take to reach that point? I am currently a sophomore in college working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and possibly Communication.

I am interested in perhaps studying in Rome for a year or so, maybe to get my final Doctor of Canon Law degree there.

How do I do this?
 
I wonder how hard it is to get into one of these programs or even one in Rome.

Since school seems to be the only thing I’m good at, after getting my civil law degree, the thought of potentially getting to spend another few years in school and continue to have fun learning stuff including new languages (which unfortunately I currently only know English) seems very appealing to me.

However, I would also consider the priesthood if I thought I was normal enough for it. Though I’m just thankful God gave me the intelligence I have to excel in school and hope to one day use it for something productive.
 
In order to study Canon Law you have to be fluent in Latin. Most of those who begin study of Canon Law have an MA in Theology. Then they go for an STL (Pontifical Licentiate Degree) in Canon Law and then for the STD. Catholic University in DC I think is the only school in the United States where you can get the degree. Other than that you have to go to Rome. Those I know who got the STD in Canon Law spent about 4 or 5 years of study for both the STL and STD. If you study in Rome you also have to be fluent in Italian since that is the language used in Pontifical Universities in Rome. So, I would suggest studying those two languages now. As far as having fun, I don’t think I ever heard any of the canon lawyers I know describe their time in study of canon law as fun. In fact my professor in canon law described it as “death.” He was a great teacher though. Come to think of it he was really funny but also very serious.
 
Joannm said:
In order to study Canon Law you have to be fluent in Latin. Most of those who begin study of Canon Law have an MA in Theology. Then they go for an STL (Pontifical Licentiate Degree) in Canon Law and then for the STD. Catholic University in DC I think is the only school in the United States where you can get the degree. Other than that you have to go to Rome. Those I know who got the STD in Canon Law spent about 4 or 5 years of study for both the STL and STD. If you study in Rome you also have to be fluent in Italian since that is the language used in Pontifical Universities in Rome. So, I would suggest studying those two languages now. As far as having fun, I don’t think I ever heard any of the canon lawyers I know describe their time in study of canon law as fun. In fact my professor in canon law described it as “death.” He was a great teacher though. Come to think of it he was really funny but also very serious.
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Hi Joannm,

You don’t really know me and I am not a canon lawyer (yet) but I think studying canon law is usually a lot of fun. 🙂 Anyway, a person doesn’t have to be fluent in Latin in order to start studying canon law. If he is fluent, that’s a bonus. But, studying latin is part of the curriculum. Also, the abbreviations are a little different–JCL/JCD instead of STL/STD.

Having a Masters in Theology is good. Priests always have that or an M. Div. But, strictly speaking, having a master’s degree isn’t required. If a person only has a bachelor’s degree, he might have to take a few more classes in theology before getting into canon law. It all depends on what classes were taken and what school they were taken at. The dean (or whoever takes care of this) of the canon law faculty ends up deciding what each student needs to do in order to enter the program.

Dan
 
It is my understanding you will need Italian for study in Rome, and Latin for canon law, so definitely work on those in undergrad. I only know one canon lawyer, he has a BA in theology and a law degree, both from Catholic institutions, and attended postgrad training in canon law.
 
dans0622 said:
Hi Hamburglar,

If you get the bachelor’s degree, you might be accepted into a canon law program but you then might have to take further pre-requisites, depending on how your current program fulfills the ecclesiastical requirements.

You can go to this link to see the latest requirements from the Vatican:

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccatheduc/documents/rc_con_ccatheduc_doc_20021114_decree-canon-law_en.html

If this doesn’t explain it well enough, let me/us know.

Dan
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In order to skip the first cycle, do I have to have all of those exact disciplines listed? There are some topics that my school doesn’t have, or at least not a class strictly studying that topic. Also, I know names of classes vary from college to college. It is possible for me to take summer classes at another college, or do independent studies with guidance from a professor.

Also, if I have taken some of those classes, would I be exempt from taking them again, possibly reducing the first cycle to around a year?

I do know much about these topics already from learning in my free time, since I love Theology.
 
hamburglar said:
In order to skip the first cycle, do I have to have all of those exact disciplines listed? There are some topics that my school doesn’t have, or at least not a class strictly studying that topic. Also, I know names of classes vary from college to college. It is possible for me to take summer classes at another college, or do independent studies with guidance from a professor.

Also, if I have taken some of those classes, would I be exempt from taking them again, possibly reducing the first cycle to around a year?

I do know much about these topics already from learning in my free time, since I love Theology.
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My impression (only an impression since I am not involved in admission to the program–I’ve simply been admitted) is that whatever courses you are lacking will need to be taken. The Church is quite strict about this, evident by the recent decision to lengthen the program to three years to make sure graduates are well-instructed.

If it happens that you need to take certain courses, keep in mind that no matter where you apply to study canon law, that school will also offer theology courses (I think this is true everywhere).

Also, I don’t think any school would require you to take courses again. But, only the administration could tell you that for sure. In my own experience, the school is very accomodating and reasonable.

Dan
 
dans0622 said:
Hi Joannm,

You don’t really know me and I am not a canon lawyer (yet) but I think studying canon law is usually a lot of fun. 🙂 Anyway, a person doesn’t have to be fluent in Latin in order to start studying canon law. If he is fluent, that’s a bonus. But, studying latin is part of the curriculum. Also, the abbreviations are a little different–JCL/JCD instead of STL/STD.

Having a Masters in Theology is good. Priests always have that or an M. Div. But, strictly speaking, having a master’s degree isn’t required. If a person only has a bachelor’s degree, he might have to take a few more classes in theology before getting into canon law. It all depends on what classes were taken and what school they were taken at. The dean (or whoever takes care of this) of the canon law faculty ends up deciding what each student needs to do in order to enter the program.

Dan
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Thank you for pointing out my errors. A good friend of my just got his STD so I think I was in that mode of thought and just used the wrong initials. All the canon lawyers I know have master’s degrees in theology so again I assumed that was necessary. A preist in my parish just left for Rome to study Canon Law so I am going from his situation.
 
I am studying at one of the Pontifical Universities in Rome, so if you have any questions you can PM me, and I’ll try to find out/answer them.
If you really struggle with languages, you can study at the Angelicum (where JPII got his PhD). They have an English track, although its much easier to schedule if you can do some of your classes in Italian too from what I understand. However, learning the language (which you should if you live in Italy anyway!) is a fair trade off because school in the US is so $$$$$$
 
Two or three things:
  1. Pontifical universities are really expensive - most of the people who go to them are paid for by their religious orders. If you feel called to this role in a particular diocese or with a lay community, you could maybe find someone who is willing to pay toward that for you - or find a rich person who’s about to enter Religious Life and has to give away all their posessions!:rolleyes:
  2. If you are a lay person and feel called to marriage, think carefully about going into Canon Law - you’ll never see another healthy marriage again! What do you think takes up most canon lawyers’ time? Annulments. You’ll need a lot of spiritual and emotional strength to keep your hope in God, a bit like a priest in confession. Let’s not forget, “the law is not made for the just man but for the unjust” (1 Tim 1:9) “Already there is plainly a fault among you, that you have lawsuits one with another” (1 Cor 6:7).
All the same, if you’re called, go for it!

And of course, I can’t believe I’m the first to say it:

Canon Law - the only place where having an STD is a good thing!
:rotfl:
 
I did my studies at Catholic University. Feel free to pm me as well.

I will remark that most of us obtained our canonical degrees at the request of our bishops and were funded by them (or by a religious order). It is expensive.

It is a ministry that is done on behalf of others with a view toward the salvation of souls. Any burdens associated with studies or with the practice of the ministry are light for those who let Christ sustain them. Otherwise, they would be unbearable.
 
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