Founded in 1848 by the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Saint Paul University has its own charter dating back to 1866. Saint Paul University received the authority to confer ecclesiastical degrees in Leo XIII’s Apostolic Letter Cum Apostolica Sedes of February 5, 1889. In 1929, the Faculty of Canon Law was established as distinct from the Faculty of Theology, and after Pius XI’s Apostolic constitution Deus scientiarum Dominus of May 24, 1931, the Faculty was reorganized. Following Vatican II, the program was updated to conform to the needs of today’s university teaching and the demands of modern pastoral activity. In 2002, the Holy See promulgated new norms for the teaching of canon law. These required a complete revision and expansion of our programs, effective 2004-2005.
Following the norms issued by Pope Francis in the Apostolic Constitution Veritatis Gaudium on ecclesiastical universities and faculties, 8 December 2017, the Faculty of Canon Law continues to cultivate and promote the juridical disciplines in the light of the teaching of the Gospel and instruct its students in these, so as to form researchers, university and seminary teachers, and others who will be trained to hold special ecclesiastical offices, such as ecclesiastical chancery and tribunal positions, and to serve as advisors to bishops and religious superiors.
The University grants simultaneously both civil graduate degrees (i.e., the MCL and the Ph.D.) and ecclesiastical degrees (i.e., the JCL and the JCD). The ecclesiastical degrees are granted in virtue of the 1889 Pontifical Charter, and the civil degrees are granted jointly by the Senate of Saint Paul University, in virtue of its 1866 Civil Charter, and by the Senate of the University of Ottawa, which is federated with Saint Paul University. The Faculty of Canon Law is bound by the regulations of the University of Ottawa and Saint Paul University, under the terms of the federation.
The Faculty of Canon Law offers two graduate degree programs: Master of Canon Law (MCL) and Doctor of Philosophy in Canon Law (Ph.D.). These civil degrees are conferred jointly by the Senate of Saint Paul University and of the University of Ottawa. In addition, it offers three Graduate Diplomas:
- Graduate Diploma in Safeguarding Minors and Vulnerable Adults
- Graduate Diploma in Canon Law
- Graduate Diploma in Matrimonial and Procedural Law
The international teaching personnel is actively involved in serving the Church beyond the walls of the University by their publications and expert advice to the Holy See, to bishops and religious superiors, as well as to clergy and laity alike.
Twice a year, the Faculty publishes the journal Studia canonica. This publication is the only canon law journal in Canada and it enjoys a solid international reputation.
Although the majority of its students come from Canada and the United States, many other countries and continents are represented. The student body is composed of priests, deacons, religious – women and men – and many lay persons. Although several are studying canon law after years of service in various sectors of Church and society, there is an increasing number of young students who are interested in undertaking the ministry of canon law.
Partnerships
THE BROKEN BAY INSTITUTE (BBI)
Saint Paul University to offer Master’s and Licentiate in Canon Law in Australia
A world-first partnership between The Broken Bay Institute (BBI) and Saint Paul University (SPU) will allow SPU to offer its Master’s and Licentiate in Canon Law in Australia to students throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Through the partnership, SPU will deliver a combination of online courses and intensive residential courses at the BBI campus in Sydney. Thus, students from the Asia-Pacific region will no longer have to relocate to Canada to study canon law—a requirement that was a major obstacle for many students who were reluctant to leave their families and jobs behind.
The master’s and licentiate programs in canon law are relevant to members of the clergy, members of religious orders, and lay persons interested in receiving comprehensive training in canon law and learning how best to apply the rules of the Church in a pastoral manner for the common good of the faithful.
Chantal Beauvais, Rector of Saint Paul University, is delighted with this new collaboration: “This partnership highlights the dynamism and effectiveness of distance learning at SPU, and the ingenuity of the Faculty of Canon Law in reaching out to prospective students around the world.”
Bishop Brian Finnigan, Auxiliary Bishop of Brisbane, said, “As Chair of the Bishops’ Commission for Canon Law and the Australian Catholic Council for Canon Law, I heartily support this new venture. Our world and our Church are in constant evolution, and the need for educated and well-formed canonists is clear.”
BBI received a nihil obstat from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference for the establishment of this prestigious program in Australia.
BBI – The Australian Institute of Theological Education is one of the largest Catholic providers of online theological education in the Asia-Pacific region. BBI is accredited as a Higher Education Provider (HEP) by the Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency (TEQSA) – Australia’s independent national regulator of the higher education sector.
For more information, please click here.
Scholarships
AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S CANON LAW SCHOLARSHIP
A new pathway for Australian women to study canon law at Saint Paul University
A group of women religious congregations and religious institutions in Australia, together with Catholic Religious Australia, has launched the Australian Women’s Canon Law Scholarship. It will support one or more Australian women to undertake the Licentiate in Canon Law at Saint Paul University – the foundational qualification for canonical practice – with studies proposed to begin in August or September 2027.
The scholarship provides financial and other support towards study, including a stipend, limited accommodation and approved study costs. Studies may be full-time or part-time, and may be undertaken in Canada, in Australia, or through a combination of the two.
Who it is for
- Women with an interest in canon law, particularly as it bears on religious life, governance and the interface between civil and canon law
- Candidates of maturity and reflective capacity, willing to take part in ongoing formation
- A commitment to becoming a resource for religious institutions, and especially for women religious
- Australian citizenship or the right to work in Australia
- The academic capacity for the programme, with the theology prerequisites met or able to be met before studies begin
Candidates may come from a range of backgrounds, including theology, ministry, education, leadership, governance, law, Church administration or community service.
Expressions of interest
The scholarship is offered and administered in Australia, not by Saint Paul University. Full details and the expression-of-interest form are available from the sponsors: Australian Women’s Canon Law Scholarship. Questions may be sent to Molly Payne, Scholarship Coordinator, at molly.payne@ismapng.org.au.
The initiative was announced on 8 September 2026 by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart.