A Presentation of the New Penal System of Canon Law

By means of the May 23, 2021 apostolic constitution Pascite gregem Dei, Pope Francis promulgated a new Book VI of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which enters into effect on December 8, 2021. The need for this reform is demonstrated by the history of the drafting of Book VI of the 1983 CIC, difficulties in the implementation of that law, and the related de facto centralization of penal discipline in the Apostolic See. The reform combats the prejudice against penal discipline based on a false notion of charity and stresses the need to protect the community against offenses. It introduces new emphases in regard to proportionality, the defense of the accused, the use of penal remedies, and the demand to address the commission of delicts. The reform also brings about several changes in the general system of penalties as well as in the configuration of categories of delicts and the presentation of specific delicts, including new some ones.