The Judicial Function of the Bishop in the Church of the First Centuries

Abstract

Introduction The exercise of judicial power by the bishop throughout history. This is a topic to which we return, and which was the subject of many scientific interests, especially in 2015, when Pope Francis reformed the procedural law of marriage. The task of the reform was primarily to simplify the procedure for annulment of marriage in the canonical court process, and consequently to guarantee even greater just justice within the limits of the decision. At the same time, it is necessary to renew the principles of synodality in the pastoral service of justice and to indicate the central place of the bishop in the exercise of judicial power.1 Massimo del Pozzo calls the new regulation a reform ‘nella continuità storica’ and points out that the fundamental elements of the renewal carried out by Pope Francis already existed before in the different proposals of the Supreme Legislators of the Church and doctrine.2