This book presents the canonical institutions - principally potestas regiminis and ecclesiastical offices - which are the backbone of the entire governance structures within the Catholic Church, from the Roman Pontiff to the parish priest. It offers a canonical treatment of the material which at the same time refers to the underlying theological principles. It is, as well a reflexion on the pastoral form of exercising governance for the good of souls.

 

Juan Ignacio Arrieta, full professor at the Faculty of Canon Law of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, has served as Dean of this Faculty from 1984 to 1998. He is the editor of the journal Ius Ecclesiae. He is also Consultor for the Pontifical Councils for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts and for the Family, as well as Referendarius at the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura. He holds Doctorates in Civil Law and in Canon Law from the University of Navarra. Father Arrieta coedited with Professor Pedro Lombardia the original Spanish edition of the well known Code of Canon Law Annotated, first published by the University of Navarra, which has undergone many subsequent editions and translations. He has published books on the Synod of Bishops and on Governance Structures within the Church as well as some 100 articles, dealing with a variety of topics. He belongs to several canonical associations and since 1987 is an elected member of the Board of the International Society for Promoting the Study of Canon Law.