Perspectief 2014-25

Perspectief 20 Communion in Taizé 3 Legal positioning As stated in the first chapter, theology and ecclesiastical law are the two sides of the coin that is the internal life of the Church community. The relationship between the two is mutual, however “canon law, in its essence and existence, depends on a pre- existing theological reality.” 1 This means that theology precedes canon law and that canon law is the result of the practical implementation of theology. Theology provides the principles for the legislation to regulate a concrete practice. In this research, the concrete practice as described in chapter 2 is the starting point. In this third chapter I will examine the legislation that is relevant to this practice. The sources I draw from are the Codex Iuris Canonici , the Code of Canon Law, and the Second Vatican Council’s decree Unitatis Redintegratio . Then I will look at the interpretation and implementation by Church officials, by examining their attitude towards the Taizé practice. Paragraph 3.3 contains the conclusions I draw from this reflection. In the next chapter I will turn to the underlying theological motives. 3.1 Ecclesial documents on the Eucharist in ecumenical contexts 3.1.1 Codex Iuris Canonici The prime source for regulations in the Catholic Church is the Codex Iuris Canonici , the Code of Canon Law (CIC). The first remark I have to make about canon law is that the present codex was promulgated by Pope John Paul II only in 1983. This means that all earlier decisions concerning ecumenism and Taizé were taken under the old codex of 1917. However, since it is the aim of this research to reflect on the current situation, it is sufficient to consider the new codex alone. Secondly, whenever canon law is considered, the question of hermeneutics arises. Again, the aim of this research is reflection, not to give a juridical verdict. Still, this is 1 Örsy, Lasislas M., Theology and Canon Law. New Horizons for Legislation and Interpretation (Collegeville MN: The Liturgical Press1992), 7.