Contributi di Burkhard J. Berkmann

SOMMARIO: 1. Introduzione - 2. Lo status dei cattolici orientali in Germania - 2.1. I fedeli della Chiesa ucraina - 2.2. Gli altri cattolici orientali - 3. Facoltà dei parroci latini di sposare coppie orientali? - 4. Chiesa di appartenenza dei figli di matrimoni misti - 4.1. Efficacia anche nella sfera giuridica latina? - 4.2. La situazione prima del motu proprio De concordia inter Codices - 4.3. La situazione dopo il motu proprio De concordia inter Codices - 5. Conclusioni.

The Status of Oriental Catholics in Germany. A current challenge for the coordination of the two Codes

ABSTRACT: According to an estimate by the Secretariat of the German Bishops' Conference, about 200,000 members of fourteen different Eastern Catholic Churches currently live in Germany. A first large migratory wave with a lasting impact up to today emerged with members of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in the first decades of the 20th century. Lately, due to migration from Syria and Iraq starting in 2015, a larger number of Eastern Catholics - estimated by some in the five-digit range - have arrived in Germany. The change brought about by migration poses new challenges for pastoral care and canon law in Germany. The Ukrainians have their own jurisdiction in the form of an Apostolic Exarchy. All other Oriental Catholics have been entrusted to local Latin ordinaries by a decree of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches according to can. 916, § 5, CCEO. Therefore, the solution of many legal questions requires a synopsis of both codes. Do Latin parish priests have the authority to celebrate marriages for Oriental couples per se? To which church do children from a mixed marriage belong? The motu proprio De concordia inter Codices did not answer all questions and has also brought new ones.

SOMMARIO: 1. Introduzione - 2. Norme di conflitto del diritto canonico - 3. Visione d’insieme delle disposizioni - 3.1. Competenza dei tribunali ecclesiastici - 3.2. Il diritto processuale applicabile - 3.3. Il diritto sostanziale applicabile - 3.4. Il valore del diritto divino - 4. Dignitas connubii e Mitis iudex - 4.1. La Dignitas connubii è ancora in vigore? - 4.2. Processus brevior per matrimoni di non cattolici? - 5. L'art. 4 DC nella prassi giudiziale - 5.1. Una sentenza a Vancouver - 5.2. Aspetti processuali - 5.3. Il diritto sostanziale da applicare - 5.4. Terminologia - 6. Argomenti non presenti nella Dignitas connubii - 6.1. Riconoscimento di sentenze di nullità matrimoniale straniere - 6.2. Vizio di forma accertabile nell'esame degli sposi - 6.3. Quale tribunale cattolico è competente? - 7. Uno sguardo a possibili sviluppi futuri.

Dignitas connubii and marriages of Non-Catholics. An achievement to be maintained, improved and complemented

Abstract: The instruction Dignitas connubii of 2005, Art 2-4, deals with marriages, in which one or both parts are non-Catholic - whether baptized or not. This is a great progress initiated by the Second Vatican Council, even if there still are some omissions and ambiguities in the regulations. Since 2005, some jurisprudential experience could be gained and further official documents concerning non-Catholic marriages have been issued. They are mainly dealing with Orthodox Christians and are dedicated to the recognition of matrimonial sentences, the determination of formal defects and competence issues. Mitis iudex does not mention anything concerning this topic but in case a new instruction should be made now, the named Articles would have to be maintained, improved and complemented.

SOMMARIO: 1. Cento anni di codificazione - 2. Il bisogno di flessibilità - 3. Varietà degli strumenti di flessibilizzazione - 4. I motivi della flessibilità - 5. Necessità - 6. Utilità - 7. Motivi teologici - 8. Flessibilità e codificazione - 9. La codificazione porta all’irrigidimento? - 10. La codificazione agevola i cambiamenti? - 11. Varie funzioni della flessibilizzazione - 12. Piano interpretativo, applicativo o legislativo?

Does the Codification of Law affect its Flexibility? The Catholic Canon Law compared to other Religious Laws

ABSTRACT: Epieikeia in Greek philosophy and aequitas in Roman law are ethical principles, which are open to a religious as well as a secular justification. They are part of the instruments of flexibility that make any legal tradition smooth and adaptable. Jewish and Islamic law as well as Catholic and Orthodox Canon Law apply different kinds of such instruments. A comparison of these legal systems leads to multiple observations: Some scholars, such as Max Weber, considered religious laws to be immutable. In fact, however, they ascribe great significance to flexibility, since they give priority to the spiritual development of individuals. Since many religions are unfamiliar with changes of law by means of legislation, they depend on methods of flexibility to adapt to new social situations. Even those religions, which do have legislation and even codifications, put particular emphasis on instruments of flexibility in order to apply general and abstract norms to individual cases in an appropriate manner.