Pope Benedict XVI addresses the members of the Roman Rota

(January 21.2012) Genuine law is inseparable from Justice, which is at the service of truth, said, Pope Benedict XVI, addressing, on Saturday, the members of the Sacred Roman Rota on the occasion of the beginning of the Judicial Year of the Vatican Tribunals. The Roman Rota is the highest Vatican Tribunal that handles applications for annulment of Christian marriages . The Pope highlighted the vital link of every ecclesiastical law with the communion and mission of the Church today. Right at the start he reminded his listeners of the forthcoming Year of Faith, which he, had instituted on the occasion of the 50^th anniversary of the opening of the Vatican Council. The interpretation of Canon Law, the Pope went on to say, finds its sure guide in the truths of faith. Three elements come into play in the interpretation and application of Church law, namely mercy, equity and discernment The interpretation of law was ordained to the love, search and service of truth. The Pope called for that “thinking with the church” which leads to a spirit of docility and dedication to the judicial tradition of the Church and to all the church pronouncements on Canon Law.