Contributi di Gianluca Rabino

SOMMARIO: 1. Premessa - 2. La preparazione del biennio sinodale - 3. Il dibattito sulle proposte di snellimento dei processi matrimoniali nell’Assemblea Straordinaria del 2014 - 4. La preparazione dell’Assemblea Ordinaria e l’accoglienza della riforma in Sinodo - 5. Conclusioni.

Reflections on the Synodal origin of the processus brevior coram Episcopo.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how the main aspect of the motu proprio Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus signed by Pope Francis - the role of judge accorded to the Bishop especially in the new briefer process - cannot be linked to the suggestions of the two assemblies of the Synod of Bishops on the Family summoned in 2014 and 2015, as the Pontiff himself and many Authors have instead affirmed. Attention is mainly given to the documents of the first gathering: the preliminary questionary, the Instrumentum laboris, the mid-Synod relations and the Relatio finalis offered as a draft for the 2015 Assembly. The analysis of these documents prove that many of those involved in the synodal process showed great concern on the perspective of a Bishop acting himself as a judge, openly suggesting to avoid this solution. In the conclusion, a reflection is made on how the process that conducted to this reform often lacked those principles of synodality and collegiality frequently described as Francis’ key principles in the Church's guidance.

SOMMARIO. 1. Premessa - 2. L’episcopalis audientia. Riconoscimento, evoluzione e problematiche - 3. L’età medievale e la nascita degli officiali. I tribunali “guardiani del vincolo” - 4. Dal Concilio di Trento alla prima codificazione - 5. Dal Codex del 1983 all’Istruzione Dignitas connubii - 6. Conclusioni.

Ipse Episcopus iudex: return to the canonical tradition?

ABSTRACT: The new procedural norms for marriage nullity approved by Pope Francis invested the diocesan Bishop with a peculiar role, adding to his previous duties in the judicial sphere that to judge personally in the new processus brevior. Bishops have always been considered the “natural judges” in their dioceses, but this task was previously exercised by appointing the tribunal staff and supervising the judicial activity. Some Authors have affirmed - referring, for example, to the ancient episcopalis audientia - that with this reform a longtime practice of the Church was restored. However, a more accurate study of the evolution of the episcopal potestas iudicandi through the centuries reveals a progressive and conscious devolution of its daily exercise to specialized clerics and colleges, exclusively dedicated to their functions. This trend, transposed in the 1917 Code of Canon Law and confirmed in the present Code promulgated after the Second Vatican Council, has been lastly strengthened in the Instruction Dignitas connubii approved by John Paul II.