The Consecrated Life: A Comparative Commentary of the Eastern and Latin Codes by Jobe Abbass (review)

ing, rebuilding and revitalizing.” That being said, this text is more of a list of ingredients than a recipe for success in the process of restructuring. While clearly not intended for those charged with the canonical implementation of parish closings, clusters, or mergers, this is a helpful tool for parishioners, parish planners and responsible diocesan personnel as they try to introduce the Christian faithful into the experience of belonging to a newly structured faith community. H. Roberta Small Chancery Diocese of Camden THE CONSECRATED LIFE: A COMPARATIVE COMMENTARY OF THE EASTERN AND LATIN CODES by Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. Ottawa: Saint Paul University, 2008. Since the 1990 promulgation of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (CCEO), canonists have endeavored to ascertain the meaning of its 1546 canons and how they relate to the canons of the Latin code (CIC). Little attention has been directed towards the canons that govern the various forms of consecrated life in the Eastern tradition. In this commentary , Abbass approaches consecrated life from the perspective of the CCEO, while comparing those provisions with the applicable CIC provisions . His audience is canonists and leadership in religious institutes. The General Introduction indicates that the project begins with the CCEO canons, since they include the most recent formulations of the canons governing consecrated life (1–2). The General Introduction considers the CCEO preparation process and the basic differences between the two codes, and offers the general structure that Abbass undertakes (2–14). He indicates that he will discuss any provisions or sources that might have been included among the CCEO canons on consecrated life, and the interrelationship between the two codes. Abbass approaches his project according to the major CCEO divisions : monks and other religious (general norms, monasteries, and orders and congregations); societies of common life according to manner of religious ; secular institutes; and other forms of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life. He provides a side-by-side presentation of CCEO canons with closely related CIC canons. This makes it easy for the reader 508 the jurist book reviews 509 critically to assess the texts. Abbass frequently includes an in-depth analysis of revisions that led to the text’s promulgation (e.g., 115–119). At times, however, the comparison approach leads to confusion, at least for this reader, due to the direct comparisons of divisions of a canon rather than presenting each canon in its entirety. For example, the discussion on cession of administration and renunciation of temporal goods is dispersed among seven different comparisons rather than one. (344– 357). Perhaps the confusion results from the manner in which the CCEO and CIC canons were drafted, which only becomes apparent with a direct comparison. The commentary concludes with two indices that identify the CCEO and CIC canons cited (459–469) and two tables that compare the two codes from both the CCEO and CIC perspectives (470–513). Although Abbass provides extensive support for his analysis with 564 footnotes, the majority of the works cited are official publications of the texts. It would have been helpful if secondary works had been used or included in a separate bibliography. The author adds to the canonical understanding of consecrated life, particularly with regard to the ways in which the two codes treat the various forms of consecrated life similarly, while highlighting differences. This commentary would be beneficial for any canonist dealing with issues of consecrated life or superiors of religious institutes. Abbass should be commended for his effort to bridge the gap between the two codes. Sean O. Sheridan, T.O.R. School of Canon Law The Catholic University of America Washington, DC LITURGY: SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM by Rita Ferrone. New York/Mahwah: Paulist Press, 2007. Liturgy: Sacrosanctum Concilium is another entry in Paulist Press’s Rediscovering Vatican II series, edited by Christopher M. Bellitto. Ferrone divides her text into four parts. Part I, “The Document,” provides a useful overview of the situation and developments that led to the liturgy constitution promulgated at Vatican II, specifically the condition of the ...