JURIDICAL AMENDMENTS IN CANONS 295-296

Personal Prelature revisited

Abstract

Summary: This article aims at examining the effects of the juridical amendments in cc. 295-296 made by the Motu Proprio Le Prelature personali. First, for better understanding, some considerations will be made on the origin of the personal prelatures as well as on the conciliar and post-conciliar teachings regarding it. On this basis – with constant reference to Opus Dei as the currently sole personal prelature – the amendments can be successively examined, for example the ones that established a new status for personal prelatures and the prelates as their moderators. With regard to c. 296, this article also examines whether the juridical amendments had any effect on the position of the laity in the personal prelatures.