Sacraments of Holy Orders and Matrimony by the Motu Proprio Omnium in mentem written by Benedict XVI

Abstract

This article presents a document issued in the form of the Apostolic Letter motu proprio by Pope Benedict XVI on October 26, 2009 and entitled Omnium in mentem. This document is vital to the canon law, because it is changing the contents of up to fi-ve articles of the Code of Canon Law. It is the second after the John Paul II’s 1998 mo-tu proprio Ad Tuendam Fidem amendment to the Code. It relates to two areas – the sacrament of Holy Orders and the sacrament of Marriage. Changes made in the ca-nons on the sacrament of Holy Orders (canons 1008, 1009) are amended dogmatic. They illuminate the difference between the common priesthood of the faithful and the ministerial priesthood, as well as organize the three-level hierarchy of the ministerial priesthood, stressing that the diaconate is not (as opposed to the episcopacy and the presbyterate) representation of Christ, the Head of the Church, but has its own minis-terial appointment. The change in the law of marriage, in the canons of 1086, 1117 and 1124, involves the removal of these wordings, talking about “a person who is not by a formal act seceded from the Church”. This change is of practical significance, since put-ting it avoids the problems of interpretation and abuse laws.