Kościół i Prawo 1 (14) 2012: 11-24

Celibacy obligation for clerics according to the Code of Canon Law of 1983 

Michał Grochowina

doktorant, Katedra Kościelnego Prawa Publicznego i Konstytucyjnego, Instytut Prawa Kanonicznego KUL, Wydział Prawa, Prawa Kanonicznego i Administracji, Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II

Al. Racławickie 14, 20-950 Lublin, Poland

e-mail: migrooo@o2.pl

The issue of celibacy obligations for clerics according to the Code of Canon Law of 1983 was taken up in the article. This problem contains the following items: 1) theological and legal basis for the celibacy obligation; 2) celibacy obligation in the Code of Canon Law of 1983; 3) celibacy in selected documents issued after the Code of Canon Law of 1983; 4) conclusion.
Legislator in can. 277, binding the clerics to celibacy, indicates the source of this obligation, what is the candidate’s own will to the orders. According to the can. 277, celibacy means chastity sensu stricto (in a perfect way). Canon Law regulation concerning celibacy law has a long Church tradition. When cleric does not obey this obligation, penal sanctions are applied.
Celibacy which is voluntarily accepted and experienced in a proper way is a spiritual reality sign, contributes to the salvation of souls which is the supreme law in the Church.

Słowa kluczowe: celibat, święcenia, czystość, wstrzemięźliwość, sankcja karna

Key words: celibacy, orders, chastity, continence, penal sanctions