Prawo kościelne w świetle refleksji teologicznomoralnej

The article discusses the issue of theological-moral basis of the ecclesiastical law. The analysis begins with a presentation of theology as an auxiliary source of the ecclesiastical law. Taking into consideration the sense and the meaning of the law in the Church, its starting point is its relation to the sources that shape the life of the Church as God’s people, that is to the teaching of the Church and about the Church with the theologically defined authority of the legislator. Hence, the law of the Church plays a secondary role and it cannot reach beyond the frames defined by theology in general and also specifically moral theology. It is exactly theological reflection that formulates the doctrine. The law of the Church is aimed at guaranteeing to this doctrine its right place and due respect in the life of the believers’ community. From the theological point of view, the law of the Church constitutes deeply moral reality and as such it assumes an obligatory character for the community of believers because at its bases stands the authority of the legislator, revealed law of God and natural law as well as the mission of the Church. The relationship between Church law and the moral obligation can be very close, when the law of the Church constitutes the direct transmission of God’s law into the life of believers. In other case this relationship can assume an indirect character, when the Church law is related to God’s law on the basis of the authority of legislator that derives from God’s appointment. The difference mentioned above plays an important role in the reflection concerning the obligatory character of the Church law. When this law appears to be a direct expression of God’s law it excludes any form of exemption. In the case of the law enacted by the ecclesiastical legislator the exceptions are allowed. The most frequent form of these exclusions are dispensation and epikeia.