Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Responding to Pope Francis’ request that all local Churches need to have the right perception of the Apostolic letter Vos Estis Lux Mundi (You are the light of the world)that was issued last year 2019, and to “set working systems to address sexual crimes committed by clerics and religious,” Kenya-based Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) has responded by opening its door to more admissions into Canon Law training.
In a statement circulated by the Director of Institute of Canon Law Fr. Owor John Martin, embracing the Holy Father’s request, CUEA “calls for training of more canonists that is the laity, Religious and clergy with utmost urgency to ensure that the matter is fully treated.”
Fr. Owor noted that having adequate information in Church Law helps in understanding various issues within the settings of the Church.
“It is of paramount importance to enhance the knowledge of Canon Law especially on the African continent to respond to the pastoral needs at the level of the Conferences of Bishops, ecclesiastical provinces, parishes and Religious institutions,” Fr. Owor indicated in the statement and clarified further that through it “orderliness is observed within the ecclesiastical structures, in the life of clerics, Religious, the Christian faithful and in all activities.”
He explained that training in Canon Law especially at this present time is vital “because the crises the Church faces are not solely limited to progressive spiritual sluggishness but also from a deep lack of knowledge of Church Law.”
Further, Fr. Owor added, “Ecclesiastical law is a highly valuable instrument and in fact indispensable for secure pursuit of the salvation of souls.”
“At the end of the day this is what we all strive toward in our earthly pilgrimage. The search for a holy and fulfilled life is elusive and practically impossible without proper guidance through the Magisterium of the Church and her laws,” the Uganda-born cleric noted in the statement.
He urged the Bishops and Religious superiors to see it a crucial need and send more clerics, Sisters and laity to study Canon Law since “all vital organs of the dioceses need at least a trained canonist to guarantee effectiveness by giving good canonical counsel and guidance as required by the Church.
Providing such opportunity for training of Canonists in African he said, leads to “better organization and orderliness as the Church strives for the salvation of souls.”
The Institute that was founded by the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) and approved by the Congregation for Catholic Education to grant ecclesiastical degrees in Canon Law, awards “Pontifical degrees for Licentiate in Canon Law and also a Diploma in Matrimonial and Procedural Law.”
According to Fr. Owor, “these qualifications have been approved by the Apostolic Signatura (The highest tribunal of the Church), so that dioceses may have skilled personnel in the diocesan Tribunals and curia.”
CUEA’s Institute of Canon Law “has through the years acquired immense recognition and numerous accolades owing to its diligence, tenacity and clarity in teaching Canon Law,” Fr. Owor noted in the statement.
The admissions for Canon Law studies at CUEA are ongoing and the academic semester starts in September every year.
