The new Code of Canon Law for the Catholics of the Latin rite was promulgated by Pope John Paul II on January 25, 1983, and entered into effect on November 27, 1983. It contains 1,752 canons divided among seven books. The books are: (1) “General Norms,” concerning the operating principles of canon law, definitions of juridical persons, and ecclesiastical offices; (2) “The People of God,” describing the rights and duties of the faithful in general and of clerics and laypersons in particular, as well as the organisational structures of the church, papacy, episcopal college, Roman Curia, particular churches, and institutes of consecrated life; (3) “The Teaching Office of the Church,” concerning catechetical and missionary activities, schools, and media of communication; (4) “The Sanctifying Office of the Church,” describing sacraments and worship in all their forms; (5) “The Temporal Goods of the Church,” defining ownership and administration of property, contracts, and charitable foundations; (6) “Sanctions in the Church,” describing various crimes, delicts, and penalties; and (7) “Procedures,” outlining the administration of justice by ecclesiastical courts, various quasi-judicial actions, and remedies.
