CCEO

CIC

I.    Pre-trial
    A. Eparch/bishop receives accusation c. 1468 §1 c. 1717 §1
        1. cannot act on anonymous accusations
    B. Eparch/bishop issues decree appointing c. 1468 §1, §2, §3 c. 1717 §1, §2, §3
        the investigator and ordering the  prior investigation
        1. investigation takes place
        2. may utilize the review board's expertise and assistance
        3. care not to harm the accused's  good name c. 1468 §2 c. 1717 §2
    C. Accusation does not seem to have merit c. 1469 §1 c. 1718 §1, #1; §2
        1. the matter ends
        2. eparch/bishop issues decree closing the investigation c. 1469 §1 c. 1718 §2
        3. the accused does not need to be informed that an accusation
            was made
        4. the acts of the investigation, eparch’s/bishop's decrees, all
            matters preceding the investigation are placed in the secret
            archives of the eparchial/diocesan curia. (except those needed
            for the penal process).



c. 1470, c. 259 §2



c. 1719,
c. 489 §1 & §2
    D.     Accusation seems to have merit
           1. hearing
            a. Eastern churches: must hear accused and promoter of
                   justice, may also hear two judges or experts in the law

c. 1469 §3

xxx
            b. Latin Church: may hear two judges xxx c. 1718 §3
        2. eparch/bishop issues decree that a trial is to take place c. 1469 §1 c. 1718 §1, #3
        3. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is
                  informed (Norms #6)
        4. measures of CCEO canon 1472 or CIC canon 1721 are
                 decreed by the eparch/bishop
II.    Trial
    A. C.D.F. responds ordering the trial to begin. The response might
                  give special instructions about the process.
        1. promoter of justice prepares and submits the libellus cc. 1472, 1185, 1187 cc. 1721, 1502, 1504
        2. appointment of those who will on the tribunal for the case refer to c. 1084 §1, #3 refer to c. 1425 §1, #2; §2
        3. decree issued accepting the libellus and citing the accused cc. 1188, 1190 §1 c. 1505 §1
        4. accused must have an advocate cc. 1139 §2, 1484 cc. 1481 §2, 1723
        5. litis contestatio (sometimes called joinder of the issue)
                    takes place
cc. 1195-1198 cc. 1513-1516
    B. Probative stage takes place
        1. time allotted to the accused to prepare his defense c. 1198 and cc. 1207-
1210
c. 1516 and cc. 1526
1529
        2. accused is given names of witnesses who will be called c. 1235 c. 1554
        3. proofs, names of witnesses and questions for them submitted
                    to the judges

cc. 1220, 1223 §1, §2

cc. 1539, 1552 §1, §2
        4. promoter of justice, the accused and his advocate have the
                    opportunity to review acts not yet known to them

c. 1281 §1

c. 1598 §1
        5. parties can propose additional proofs. These may also be
                    reviewed by the parties
c. 1281 §2 c. 1598 §2
    C. Conclusion and sentencing
        1. ponens issues decree of conclusion c. 1282 §1, §2, §3 c. 1599 §1, §2, §3
        2. time allotted for preparation of briefs c. 1284 c. 1601
            a. Eastern churches only – oral discussion must take place c. 1476 xxx
            b. additional proofs gathered, if needed, and made
                   available to the parties

c. 1479 §2
xxx
        3. opportunity for rejoinder briefs c. 1286 §1, §2, §3 c. 1603 §1 §2, §3
        4. judges render sentence cc. 1290-1292 cc. 1607-1609
            a. Eastern churches only – dispositive part normally
                   published immediately

c. 1480

xxx
            b. formal publication of sentence take place within a month c. 1480 xxx
        5. sentence is published c. 1480 c. 1614
    D. Appeals
        1. promoter of justice and respondent both have the right to
                 appeal

c. 1481 §1, §2

c. 1727 §1, §2
            a. appeal can be nullity of sentence c. 1302 ff c. 1619 ff
            b. appeal can be the decision itself c. 1481 §1, §2 c. 1727 §1, §2
        2. appeal is made to second instance tribunal or directly to the
                Holy See

cc. 1064 §1, 1059

cc. 1438, 1417 §1
III. Post-trial
    A. Execution of sentence
        1. executed immediately if no appeal c. 1337 ff c. 1650 ff
        2. any appeal suspends execution of sentence c. 1319 c. 1638
    B. If first instance sentence is upheld upon appeal, sentence
              is executed

c. 1337 ff

c. 1650 ff
    C. All acts from the trial are placed in the secret archive of
              the eparchial/diocesan curia

c. 259 §1

c. 489 §1
        1. must be destroyed after ten years have elapsed c. 259 §2 c. 489 §2
        2. must be destroyed if the guilty has died c. 259 §2 c. 489 §2
        3. archives must be reviewed annually c. 259 §2 c. 489 §2

Information for: priests and advocates   |   action to be taken   |    the trial process
Back to Contents    |   An outline of the trial process

Open a PDF file of this entire document