Substantial or Equivalent Conformity of Sentences (Dignitas Connubii, Art. 291)

SUBSTANTIAL OR EQUIVALENT CONFORMITY OF SENTENCES (DIGNITAS CONNUBII, ART. 291) Editor’s Introduction Every spring the faculty of the School of Canon Law of the Catholic University of America present a canonical seminar for practicing canon lawyers who seek continuing education in areas particularly relevant to their work in tribunal and chancery ministry. On March 19–20, 2010 the faculty presented a seminar particularly geared to the needs of tribunal practitioners. It addressed the following issue: Substantial or Equivalent Conformity of Sentences (DC, art. 291): Conformity of Sentences for the Non-Conformist: What is Equivalent Conformity and How DoYou Declare It? Thefirstfourarticlesofthisissuearethepapersgivenbyselectedmembers of the School of Canon Law faculty. By way of introduction Rev. John J. M. Foster offers some general theoretical reflections on the issue: “Conformity of Sentences: Something Old Yet Something New.” Then Rev. John P. Beal thoughtfully reflects on some practical applications of the above theory in cases involving fear, incapacity, and simulation: “From Theory to Practice: Finding Equivalent Conformity Between Sentences Decided on Force and Fear and Lack of Due Discretion or Simulation .” Rev. Sean O. Sheridan, TOR provides further insights on further practical applications of the basic insights on conformity in incapacity and simulation cases: “Incapacity and Simulation: Mutually Exclusive Grounds or Key Juridic Facts Underlying Conforming Sentences?” Finally Father Beal considers some distinctly procedural aspects of the overall topic: “What IsAnAppellate Court To Do? Procedural Considerations When Declaring Equivalent Conformity of Sentences.” The faculty hope that these essays will be genuinely helpful to tribunal practitioners in various instances in addressing these issues more knowledgeably and thereby fostering the course of justice in the Church. The Jurist 70 (2010) 269 269 ...