The Church Sui Iuris. Legal Issues

Abstract

The issue of the sui iuris Church is an interesting and quite common subject of debate among east canon law specialists. Opinions in this respect are divided. It is hard to pinpoint a single legal problem, as the legislator's  statements, even if not very precise, do not leave much room for interpretation and new solutions, proposed by canon law specialists and commentators. The fundamental question still remains: what is sui iuris Church, and sui iuris itself?

The author shows the relation of sui iuris Churches to the universal Church, and the various ideas of sui iuris Church as an institution close to autocephaly or autonomy, and more moderate opinions.

In the presented views, one can see the fundamental quality of sui iuris Church, namely legal autonomy and a higher degree of independence in terms of its existence. Although there is no consensus as to the perception of its status and essence, the quoted opinions allow a broader view on the issue of sui iuris Church and its status both in universal Church and law in force.