Dr. Edward N. Peters Available for the first time in a comprehensive English translation, this thoroughly annotated but easy-to-use presentation of the classic 1917 Code of Canon Law by canon and civil lawyer Dr. Edward Peters is destined to become the standard reference work on this milestone of Church law. More than just of historical interest, the 1917 Code is an indispensable tool for understanding the current 1983 Code under which the Roman Catholic Church governs itself. Dr. Peters' faithful translation of the original Latin text of 1917, along with his detailed references to such key canonical works as Canon Law Digest and hundreds of English language doctoral dissertations on canon law produced at the world's great Catholic universities, now allows researchers to access directly this great fountain of ecclesiastical legal science. No student of canon law, and indeed, no one with a need to understand modern Church administration, can afford to be without this important volume.
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity. The Catholic Church is among the oldest institutions in the world and has played a prominent role in the history of Western civilisation. It teaches that it is the church founded by Jesus Christ, that its bishops are the successors of Christ's apostles and that the Pope is the successor to Saint Peter. Catholic doctrine maintains that the Church is infallible when it dogmatically teaches a doctrine of faith or morals. Catholic worship is centred on the Eucharist in which the Church teaches bread and wine are supernaturally transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ. The Church holds the Blessed Virgin Mary in special regard. Catholic beliefs concerning Mary include her Immaculate Conception and bodily Assumption at the end of her earthly life.
I bought this as a reference book. It is a code of Catholic canon law that was translated from Latin. It’s material is dated pre-Vatican II and by appearance is a more weighty tome than the 1983 Latin-English version published by The Canon Law Society of America.