History

Almost from the beginning of the Society, it became evident that if its work was to be recognized, some type of publication would be required. At the same time, the Faculty of Canon Law of Saint Paul University was seriously considering the founding of a canonical periodical. The moment was right. While Studia canonica remained the work of the University, Father Thorn, as President, was advisor to the committee examining the project, and an agreement was made that the papers given at the conventions of the CCLS could be published in Studia canonica. This formed the nucleus of the first editions and enabled both the Society to extend its influence, and the University to have good articles for its publication. From the very beginning, it was agreed that the Society, while maintaining its autonomy, would have three characteristics: it would be bilingual, with presidents alternating on a linguistic basis; it would work in close cooperation with the Bishops, and would maintain a positive, cooperative outlook whenever possible. It was not being set up as a pressure group. Likewise, from its inception, the Society decided to be international in scope, in the sense that it would favour the presence of canonists from other countries and traditions and would seek to maintain good relations with other canon law societies. Thus, at the very first convention, Father John Keating from Chicago (later Bishop of Arlington) was invited to speak to the group. The following year, two speakers from Europe were invited, and this tradition has continued through the years and has borne great results. As the Society developed its contacts with what was then the CCC (Canadian Catholic Conference), it became evident that it would be beneficial for all if an episcopal ponens were appointed. In 1968, Archbishop Francis Spence, at that time newly appointed auxiliary bishop for the Canadian Military Vicariate, was named ponens and he retained this post until the Conference of Bishops, in the mid-1980s, formally established the Commission for Canon Law and Inter-Rite matters. In the meantime, on 21 April 1972, the Conference agreed to establish an Episcopal Commission for Canonical Affairs, with the President of the Canadian Canon Law Society as an ex officio consultor. The services that Archbishop Spence rendered to the Society over these fifteen years can never be measured. He regularly attended meetings and assured that the documentation presented to the Bishops or to the Holy See was appropriate and clear. In 1970, the Conference of Bishops agreed to give the Society an annual subsidy in consideration of the various studies undertaken, and as a sign of recognition for the assistance it received. In 1974, the Society entered into an agreement with the Canon Law Society of America to have its documentation shared with Canadian canonists. During this period, the practice developed of having the various Presidents or representatives of the various canon law societies that have close relations with each other, attend the canon law conventions in other countries. This, too, has led to numerous on-going international contacts, especially in Great Britain and Ireland, the United States, and Australia and New Zealand. The major projects undertaken during these first years, in addition to a number of tasks relating to the implementation of the conciliar decisions, were focused on the revision of procedural law. Although regional tribunals had been established in Canada in 1946, the output of these courts - as was the case elsewhere in the world - was often rather limited. Yet, there were many calls for the issue of marriage nullity to be addressed by the courts. Understandably, this dossier continued to occupy Canadian canonists for many years. In 1969, 1972 and 1974, as a result of the work prepared by the Society and approved by the Conference, the Holy See granted indults to the Canadian Bishops, many of which remain in effect today, even under the 1983 Legislation. Also, from the very beginning, a family spirit was introduced in the group. The social friendships that developed from coast to coast enabled canonists to work together, in a congenial setting, to help resolve issues brought to their attention. This characteristic marked the Society for many years to come and helped produce numerous tangible results. During these early years, the Presidents of the Society were: Rev. Jean Thorn, Montreal, 1966-1967 Rev. Leonard Crowley, Montreal, 1967-1968 (Auxiliary Bishop of Montreal 1971-1997) Msgr Denis Robitaille, Saint-Hyacinthe, 1968-1969 Msgr André Desrochers, Joliette, 1969-1970 Msgr Charles Halpin, Winnipeg, 1970-1971 (Archbishop of Regina 1973-1994)