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 50th 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.