The Microprogram in Penal Law, Jurisprudence, and Procedures is designed for professionals working particularly in the fields of providing advocacy, as required by canon law, for those accused of committing ecclesiastical delicts; for Church officials involved in the investigation and prosecution of alleged delicts; and for students who wish to deepen their knowledge of penal law, jurisprudence, and procedures of the Catholic Church, Latin and Eastern, thereby enabling them to acquire new skills for professional and career enhancement purposes.
Program Requirements
Compulsory Courses (6 units)
DCA6115 Penal Law (3u)
DCA6318 Seminar on Penal Jurisprudence and Procedures (3u)
Optional courses (3 units)
3 units from:
DCA5139 Canon Law on Safeguarding Minors and Vulnerable Persons (3u)
HTP5103 Special Topics in Safeguarding Minors and Vulnerable Persons (3u)
or another course (3u) to reflect the student’s needs and interest, with the approval of the Dean of the Faculty.
Courses
DCA6115 - Penal Law (3u)
Punishment of delicts. Penal laws and penal precepts. Subjects of penal sanctions. Penalties and other punishments: censures, expiatory penalties, penal remedies, penances. Application of penalties. Cessation of penalties. Penalties for individual delicts. Penal process: preliminary investigation, development of the judicial and extrajudicial process, action to repair damages. (cc. 1311-1399, 1717-1731)
DCA6318 - Seminar on Penal Jurisprudence and Procedures (3u)
The penal preliminary investigation and the penal procedures (judicial and extrajudicial). Practical considerations: presumption of innocence; libellus of accusation; “administrative leave” of the accused; procedural rights of the accused; self-defense; gathering and assessment of proofs; procedural decrees; advocate’s roles; moral certitude; sentence/decree concluding the penal process; appeal/recourse against decisions. Involvement of alleged victims/accusers in the processes. Penal jurisprudence. Special focus on the graviora delicta reserved to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
DCA5139 - Canon Law on Safeguarding Minors and Vulnerable Persons (3u)
A comprehensive and practical study of the “proactive” and “reactive” canonical responses of the Church to the sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable persons. Development of laws, universal and particular, and their practical application.
HTP5103 - Special Topics in Safeguarding Minors and Vulnerable Persons (3u)
Study of a particular theme in the field of safeguarding of minors and vulnerable persons.