The Canon Law Society of America Podcast

On October 10, 2022, the Canon Law Society of America (CLSA) welcomed Bishop Robert Barron as the keynote speaker at its annual convention in Cleveland, Ohio. Speaking on synodality, Bishop Barron noted that "one could easily interpret [Pope] Francis's synodality as a development of the people of God ecclesiology of Lumen gentium and of the communio mysticism of John Paul II, especially if one remains at the level of abstract analysis.  But when we come to the more practical application of the idea, more critical questions emerge. I should like to use three figures—John Henry Newman, Bernard Lonergan, and Augusto del Noce—not so much to criticize the notion of synodality as to make some distinctions that will serve, I hope, to clarify the concept a bit and to hold off potential misunderstandings." The CLSA welcomes anyone wishing to learn more about canon law and the work of the Society to visit its website at clsa.org. 

Jenna Cooper is a canonist who directs the tribunal in the Diocese of Wynona-Rochester in Minnesota. She is also a consecrated virgin. Listen to her recent conversation with Donna Miller, Executive Coordinator of the Canon Law Society of America, as Jenna describes her path to achieving and harmonizing her two vocations.   

Reverend James Coriden may be one of the CLSA's most recognizable and longest standing members. Since joining the Society in 1961, he has been a familiar face and a prophetic voice for thousands of canonists who have come to know him as a teacher, a theologian, and a friend. We are truly blessed to call Father Coriden our brother.  

Each year the Canon Law Society of America presents its distinguished Role of Law Award to an individual considered to be outstanding in the field of canonical science. The By-Laws of the Society directs the Board of Governors to select a person who demonstrates in his or her life and legal practice the following characteristics:   Embodiment of pastoral attitude, commitment to research and study, participation in the development of law, response to needs or practical assistance, facilitation of dialogue and the interchange of ideas within the Society and with other groups.   These qualifications are a concise re-statement of the constitutionally-expressed purposes of the Society.   The person to whom this award is given is viewed by us as one who embodies all that we, as members of the Society hold dear, as one to whom we can look for guidance and inspiration. Such an official statement alone is perhaps the greatest honor that can be bestowed on anyone – to be selected by one's friends and peers as outstanding among them.   Our recipient this year has the unique honor of being the first (and I think, the only) chaplain to take the DePaul University men's basketball team to an NCAA Final Four game.   He was ordained a presbyter in 1976. He received a licentiate in canon law in 1977 and earned his doctorate in canon law at the Catholic University of America in 1992. He has taught canon law at DeAndreis Seminary located outside of Chicago, at St. Thomas Seminary in Denver, and Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis. He has served as a judge in the tribunals of the Archdioceses of Chicago, Denver, and St. Louis. He was judicial vicar of the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the Tribunal of the Diocese of Memphis.   The recipient is a past president of the CLSA. He was chair of the Religious Law Committee and co-editor of Procedural Handbook for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. He also has served as chair of the Committee on Convention Planning and has presented several times at the Annual Convention. He currently serves as a canonical consultant and as an advocate in ecclesiastical proceedings. He continues to advise several institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life.   The 2021 Role of Law Award goes to Vincentian Father Michael Joyce, the Congregation of the Mission.

This is the second episode in our new Member Spotlight podcast series. Dr. David Keene is a student member of the CLSA. His varied career has led him to special opportunities in and service to the Church. Because of his training and expertise as an archaeologist, Dr. Keene has been called upon to assist with the exhumation of the remains of two Servants of God as part of their respective journeys to prospective sainthood. In this podcast, Dr. Keene shares with us his background and why, at an age when many Americans are enjoying retirement, he accepted the challenge to study canon law. 

Dr. Baasam F.M. Shahatit is a member of the Melkite Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Petra and Philadelphia in Amman, Jordan. He earned his doctorate in canon law at the Lateran in Rome in 2013. He also holds degrees in philosophy and theology, is a member of the Bible Society of Jordan, and is head of the ecclesiastical court in Amman. In this interview session, Father Shahatit shares with our listeners his observations on the Catholic Church in Jordan and what he wants canonists from other countries to know about being a canonist in a country that is 92% Muslim.  

When the Holy See promulgated the highly-anticipated new text of Book VI of the Code of Canon Law on June 1, 2021, there was a flurry of activity and media attention for several days as canonists and others have sought to wrap their minds around the content and the context. Sixteen days after this momentous event, we are excited to share some initials observations from a canonist who has first-hand knowledge about the inner workings of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Father John Paul Kimes shared his insights into the CDF's Vademecum last July (2020), and now he ventures into the realm of the new Book VI. This podcast is a prelude to the pre-convention workshop that Fr. Kimes and Msgr. John Renken will be presenting this October for the CLSA in San Diego.  We invite you to listen and to submit questions that you might have for the presenters to answer at the pre-convention workshop. For details go to clsa.org.

2020 ROLE OF LAW CITATION Presented by CLSA President Jay Conzemius Each year, since 1973, the Board of Governors has selected the recipient for the Role of Law award.  The criteria used to help narrow the field is as follows: 1) embodiment of pastoral attitude, 2) commitment to research and study, 3) participation in the development of law, 4) a response to needs or practical assistance, and 5) facilitation of dialogue and the interchange of ideas within the Society and with other groups. As is our custom, I will now give clues about this year's recipient's background.  He was born a cradle Catholic and only child on the East Coast and is an avid reader of 19th century British novels and 20th century imitators.  He graduated from a Jesuit high school and subsequently he and six classmates entered the Society of Jesus.  Our recipient began his professional life by teaching French, Latin and Greek to high school students. He became interested in canon and civil law when he worked in the President's office of a Jesuit University. At first, he earned a license in canon law, then his juris doctorate, and then completed his canon law doctoral thesis a year later, summa cum laude from the Pontifical Gregorian University.  Over his many years of canonical service, our recipient has served as canonical counsel to several dioceses and archdioceses. In 2002, he was named ordinary professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University and continued in this role for fourteen years. In 2004, he was appointed consultor to the Congregation for Catholic Education by St. Pope John Paul II. In November of 2008, he was named consultor to the Congregation for the Clergy by Pope Benedict XVI.  Perhaps most amazing about this year's recipient is that he accomplished all of this despite being “legally blind” since birth. Most recently, he was named Professor Emeritus at the Pontifical Gregorian University where he continues to teach Latin and resides nearby.  As President of the Society, it is my pleasure to present the recipient of the 2020 Role of Law Award, Father James Conn, priest of the Society of Jesus.  

Role of Law Award Citation 2013 Delivered by CLSA President Reverend John R. Vaughan Each year the Canon Law Society of America presents its distinguished Role of Law Award to an individual considered to be outstanding in the field of canonical science. The By-Laws of the Society directs the Board of Governors to select a person who demonstrates in his or her life and legal practice the following characteristics: Embodiment of pastoral attitude, commitment to research and study, participation in the development of law, response to needs or practical assistance, facilitation of dialogue and the interchange of ideas within the Society and with other groups. These  qualifications  are  a  concise  re-statement  of  the  constitutionally-expressed purposes of the Society. The person to whom this award is given is viewed by us as one who embodies all that we, as members of the Society hold dear, as one to whom we can look for guidance and inspiration. Such an official statement alone is perhaps the greatest honor that can be bestowed on anyone – to be selected by one's friends and peers as outstanding among them. The  canonist  we  honor  today  has  been  a  good  and  faithful  servant  of  the Church and of the Law for many years. Born and educated in the Empire State, our recipient was ordained to the priesthood in 1963. Having received his doctorate in Canon Law from the Gregorian University in 1975 – his thesis was “The Requirement of Perpetuity for the Impediment of Impotence”. He has been an active member of our Society since 1976. Although  many  know  of  our  recipient's  canonical  expertise,  few  here  are aware of his affection for golf. One of his friends relates the story of playing one day and his bragging to the opponent how well he was playing. The opponent told our friend “not to count his money before the match was over.” Our awardee announced, “I am not counting my money, I'm counting yours!” After a variety of pastoral assignments in his diocese, our recipient was named by Blessed John Paul II as a Judge of the Roman Rota on April 3, 1986 where he served for twenty-six years, becoming a Prelate Emeritus on October 9, 2012. Through the years our distinguished colleague has authored numerous articles such as The Special Penal Norms of the United States and Their Application,; Deceit  and  Induced  Error  about  a  Personal  Quality;  Invalid  Convalidation: A Legitimate Autonomous Ground of Marriage Nullity? While serving in the Rota, he also worked with the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on the Commission for Ratum et  Non  Consummatum  cases,  and  on  the  Commission  for  dispensations  from the obligations of the priesthood. He is a Consultor of the Congregation of the Clergy, and was a member of the Disciplinary Commission of the Roman Curia until he became a Judge of the Court of Appeal of Vatican City State in 2004. During his time in Rome, he was an invited Professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University and at the University of the Santa Croce. By now I am certain that everyone here knows the identity of our honored recipient  and  undoubtedly  many  are  familiar  with  his  many  sentences  coram Boccafola. Please join me in thanking this eminent canonist for the work he has done for our Society and for the universal Church. As president of the Canon Law Society of America, it is my honor to present the 2013 Role of Law Award, on this our 75th anniversary, to Monsignor Kenneth Everett Boccafola.

This episode is an interview of Monsignor Boccafola conducted in January 2021. Each year the Canon Law Society of America presents its distinguished Role of Law Award to an individual considered to be outstanding in the field of canonical science. The By-Laws of the Society directs the Board of Governors to select a person who demonstrates in his or her life and legal practice the following characteristics: Embodiment of pastoral attitude, commitment to research and study, participation in the development of law, response to needs or practical assistance, facilitation of dialogue and the interchange of ideas within the Society and with other groups. These  qualifications  are  a  concise  re-statement  of  the  constitutionally-expressed purposes of the Society. The person to whom this award is given is viewed by us as one who embodies all that we, as members of the Society hold dear, as one to whom we can look for guidance and inspiration. Such an official statement alone is perhaps the greatest honor that can be bestowed on anyone – to be selected by one's friends and peers as outstanding among them. The  canonist  we  honor  today  has  been  a  good  and  faithful  servant  of  the Church and of the Law for many years. Born and educated in the Empire State, our recipient was ordained to the priesthood in 1963. Having received his doctorate in Canon Law from the Gregorian University in 1975 – his thesis was “The Requirement of Perpetuity for the Impediment of Impotence”. He has been an active member of our Society since 1976. Although  many  know  of  our  recipient's  canonical  expertise,  few  here  are aware of his affection for golf. One of his friends relates the story of playing one day and his bragging to the opponent how well he was playing. The opponent told our friend “not to count his money before the match was over.” Our awardee announced, “I am not counting my money, I'm counting yours!” After a variety of pastoral assignments in his diocese, our recipient was named by Blessed John Paul II as a Judge of the Roman Rota on April 3, 1986 where he served for twenty-six years, becoming a Prelate Emeritus on October 9, 2012. Through the years our distinguished colleague has authored numerous articles such as The Special Penal Norms of the United States and Their Application,; Deceit  and  Induced  Error  about  a  Personal  Quality;  Invalid  Convalidation: A Legitimate Autonomous Ground of Marriage Nullity? While serving in the Rota, he also worked with the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on the Commission for Ratum et  Non  Consummatum  cases,  and  on  the  Commission  for  dispensations  from the obligations of the priesthood. He is a Consultor of the Congregation of the Clergy, and was a member of the Disciplinary Commission of the Roman Curia until he became a Judge of the Court of Appeal of Vatican City State in 2004. During his time in Rome, he was an invited Professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University and at the University of the Santa Croce. By now I am certain that everyone here knows the identity of our honored recipient  and  undoubtedly  many  are  familiar  with  his  many  sentences  coram Boccafola. Please join me in thanking this eminent canonist for the work he has done for our Society and for the universal Church. As president of the Canon Law Society of America, it is my honor to present the 2013 Role of Law Award, on this our 75th anniversary, to Monsignor Kenneth Everett Boccafola.

Dr. Eileen Jaramillo shares her thoughts on the recent Apostolic Letter from Pope Francis, Authenticum charismatis. This document modifies canon 579 and makes permission from the Holy See a requirement before a bishop can erect a religious institute or society of apostolic life of diocesan right.  

The recent Vademecum released by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has been much read and discussed in the latter half of July 2020. We asked an expert to give us some initial insights into the document. John Paul Kimes is a priest of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles and an Associate Professor of the Practice at Notre Dame Law School. For more than a decade he served as an Official of the Discipline Section of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He has taught the norms of Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela and the praxis of the CDF for nearly a decade and has multiple publications on the modifications made to SST, various aspects of the delicts described therein, the praxis of the CDF in cases of sexual abuse of minors and, most recently, the jurisprudence of the College for recourses instituted by Pope Francis in 2014 and that of the Supreme Apostolic Tribunal of the CDF.   

Role of Law Introduction 2008 by Reverend Paul Counce   The nominee for the annual Role of Law award is usually introduced only gradually, beginning with early glimpses in infancy and childhood, when none of us – including the awardee – knew that a canonical future was waiting to blossom. The hints then thrown out are crafted to keep the ultimate revelation of the honoree's identity a mystery until the last moment.   I am going to do this in similar manner, yet still a bit differently. It seems to me that we can begin instead with the honoree's mysterious present, and work backwards. At the present time, this year's recipient of the Role of Law award proudly represents an institution of higher learning in this country as the official Faculty Representative to the NCAA – the National Collegiate Athletic Association. This has helped our honoree to be unofficial “mascot” of the field hockey and women's basketball teams. I think you'd agree with me that this is unusual for a canonist!   Also unusual is the recipient's lifestyle: in a dormitory with almost three score undergraduates, as a faculty resident there. This seems a far cry from the quiet, placid environment one normally associates with canonical research among the dusty stacks of the library, doesn't it?   Yet our honoree this evening is scholar in the best sense of the word. The recipient of our award has done more than a lion's share of research while authoring over 50 major canonical articles and commentaries. The university setting has seen this professor supervise numerous dissertations and theses, too, as well as do editing work for journals and commentaries with which we are all familiar. Of course, the core of any professorial job is teaching, and some 2 undergraduate and 14 graduate courses in canon law taught have marked our awardee's academic career over the better part of the past two decades.   In these critical times as a result of the clergy sex abuse scandals, particular mention must be made of the four-weekend training courses our nominee offered to bishops already in 1995 – with others – on how to make use of the heretofore underused penal law of the Church in addressing situations of clerical misconduct and so remove those unsuitable from ministry. One of the university courses taught by our recipient was entitled Special Issues in Clergy Law, and dealt with dealing with and prosecuting abuse cases. These teaching moments have been supplemented by personal involvement in many a canonical process. In fact we can hardly call it an occasional sidelight, given the honoree's work in this area, and the voluminous advice offered to bishops, major superiors, diocesan officials, canonical colleagues, and accused clerics over the years.   As we continue to work backwards, we see that other involvement with the Church also has been a hallmark of our recipient's canonical service as well. A familiar face and voice at national CLSA and regional canonical meetings, our honoree served in Tribunal ministry and as assistant chancellor. In fact, in 1983, the advent of the revised Code of Canon Law had found our recipient already hard at work studying for the licentiate and then the doctorate in canon law at The Catholic University of America. Before embarking on a canonical career path, our honoree served as high school assistant principal and before that as a high school teacher.   Even earlier, this year's awardee returned to this country from graduate theological studies at The Catholic University of Louvain in Leuven, Belgium, to be ordained a priest for his home diocese in 1974. It's a safe conclusion to make that his college, high school, elementary school, and even kindergarten years prepared him well for all that was to come.   At the end of this reverse biography, then, we meet at birth the bouncing baby, destined one day to stand in our midst and to know of our esteem as one of our most distinguished colleagues in the craft of canon law. And he proudly has more hair today than he did at the beginning!   My friends, it is my pleasure and privilege to announce that the 2008 Role of Law award of the Canon Law Society of America is given to a priest of the Diocese of Erie and professor of canon law at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC: the Reverend John P. Beal, III.

Role of Law Introduction 2008 by Reverend Paul Counce   The nominee for the annual Role of Law award is usually introduced only gradually, beginning with early glimpses in infancy and childhood, when none of us – including the awardee – knew that a canonical future was waiting to blossom. The hints then thrown out are crafted to keep the ultimate revelation of the honoree's identity a mystery until the last moment.   I am going to do this in similar manner, yet still a bit differently. It seems to me that we can begin instead with the honoree's mysterious present, and work backwards. At the present time, this year's recipient of the Role of Law award proudly represents an institution of higher learning in this country as the official Faculty Representative to the NCAA – the National Collegiate Athletic Association. This has helped our honoree to be unofficial “mascot” of the field hockey and women's basketball teams. I think you'd agree with me that this is unusual for a canonist!   Also unusual is the recipient's lifestyle: in a dormitory with almost three score undergraduates, as a faculty resident there. This seems a far cry from the quiet, placid environment one normally associates with canonical research among the dusty stacks of the library, doesn't it?   Yet our honoree this evening is scholar in the best sense of the word. The recipient of our award has done more than a lion's share of research while authoring over 50 major canonical articles and commentaries. The university setting has seen this professor supervise numerous dissertations and theses, too, as well as do editing work for journals and commentaries with which we are all familiar. Of course, the core of any professorial job is teaching, and some 2 undergraduate and 14 graduate courses in canon law taught have marked our awardee's academic career over the better part of the past two decades.   In these critical times as a result of the clergy sex abuse scandals, particular mention must be made of the four-weekend training courses our nominee offered to bishops already in 1995 – with others – on how to make use of the heretofore underused penal law of the Church in addressing situations of clerical misconduct and so remove those unsuitable from ministry. One of the university courses taught by our recipient was entitled Special Issues in Clergy Law, and dealt with dealing with and prosecuting abuse cases. These teaching moments have been supplemented by personal involvement in many a canonical process. In fact we can hardly call it an occasional sidelight, given the honoree's work in this area, and the voluminous advice offered to bishops, major superiors, diocesan officials, canonical colleagues, and accused clerics over the years.   As we continue to work backwards, we see that other involvement with the Church also has been a hallmark of our recipient's canonical service as well. A familiar face and voice at national CLSA and regional canonical meetings, our honoree served in Tribunal ministry and as assistant chancellor. In fact, in 1983, the advent of the revised Code of Canon Law had found our recipient already hard at work studying for the licentiate and then the doctorate in canon law at The Catholic University of America. Before embarking on a canonical career path, our honoree served as high school assistant principal and before that as a high school teacher.   Even earlier, this year's awardee returned to this country from graduate theological studies at The Catholic University of Louvain in Leuven, Belgium, to be ordained a priest for his home diocese in 1974. It's a safe conclusion to make that his college, high school, elementary school, and even kindergarten years prepared him well for all that was to come.   At the end of this reverse biography, then, we meet at birth the bouncing baby, destined one day to stand in our midst and to know of our esteem as one of our most distinguished colleagues in the craft of canon law. And he proudly has more hair today than he did at the beginning!   My friends, it is my pleasure and privilege to announce that the 2008 Role of Law award of the Canon Law Society of America is given to a priest of the Diocese of Erie and professor of canon law at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC: the Reverend John P. Beal, III.

2006 Role of Law Citation Presented by Msgr. Daniel Hoye   Since 1971, our Society has presented the Role of Law Award to a distinguished canonist.   The Board of Governors is asked to select someone who has the following characteristics in the practice of canon law:   Embodiment of pastoral attitude, commitment to research and study, participation in the development of law, response to needs or practical assistance, facilitation of dialogue and the interchange of ideas within the Society and other groups.   The recipient of this year's Role of Law is a person who loves to play golf. Not a Tiger or a Tigress Woods perhaps, but, weather permitting, our recipient is a weekly golfer. No word on what the handicap is.   Ireland is a favorite vacation spot and every February the plane leaves for some warm spot where golf is the major attraction.   More ad rem, our recipient has been involved in many CLSA committees. Projects involving Lay Ministry, Diocesan Pastoral Councils and convention planning benefitted from this person's expertise.   A graduate of the Catholic University of America, our recipient was awarded a JCD in 1988. Many regional meetings have benefitted from presentations made by this person. At our national conventions we have heard a major address and several seminars have been given.   As one member of the Board remarked, “This person has always said yes to anything regarding CLSA.”   Our recipient has taught canon law at the graduate level as well as in a seminary. This person has worked as a judge in an Archdiocese where the wind blows a lot. She then became a multiple office holder in a place where beer flows a lot: some of HER titles are Chancellor, Judge, Promoter of Justice and Director of Administrative Services.   Tonight, we honor our 2006 recipient of the Role of Law, Barbara Anne Cusack.

2006 Role of Law Citation Presented by Msgr. Daniel Hoye   Since 1971, our Society has presented the Role of Law Award to a distinguished canonist.   The Board of Governors is asked to select someone who has the following characteristics in the practice of canon law:   Embodiment of pastoral attitude, commitment to research and study, participation in the development of law, response to needs or practical assistance, facilitation of dialogue and the interchange of ideas within the Society and other groups.   The recipient of this year's Role of Law is a person who loves to play golf. Not a Tiger or a Tigress Woods perhaps, but, weather permitting, our recipient is a weekly golfer. No word on what the handicap is.   Ireland is a favorite vacation spot and every February the plane leaves for some warm spot where golf is the major attraction.   More ad rem, our recipient has been involved in many CLSA committees. Projects involving Lay Ministry, Diocesan Pastoral Councils and convention planning benefitted from this person's expertise.   A graduate of the Catholic University of America, our recipient was awarded a JCD in 1988. Many regional meetings have benefitted from presentations made by this person. At our national conventions we have heard a major address and several seminars have been given.   As one member of the Board remarked, “This person has always said yes to anything regarding CLSA.”   Our recipient has taught canon law at the graduate level as well as in a seminary. This person has worked as a judge in an Archdiocese where the wind blows a lot. She then became a multiple office holder in a place where beer flows a lot: some of HER titles are Chancellor, Judge, Promoter of Justice and Director of Administrative Services.   Tonight, we honor our 2006 recipient of the Role of Law, Barbara Anne Cusack.

ROLE OF LAW Introduction & Presentation 2009 Convention  This year's Role of Law recipient has received many earlier recognitions.  Among them is the ‘Order of the Arrow' which he earned as an Eagle Scout.  As a person with a great zest for life, his curriculum vitae provides not just professional efforts, but also more personal achievements: a football official, a gourmet cook who auctions off dinners for charitable causes, and acknowledgment as the ‘Italian of the year in religion' from the Italian Sons & Daughters Cultural Association in his area.  Indeed, one of the most charming things about our recipient is his well-developed humanness.  He is a person of great energy and enthusiasm.  Again, his curriculum vitae describes his work in parishes, in his diocese, in health care, with the youth, with diocesan administration and with non-denominational civic projects.  When he was the President of our Society, he attended most, if not all, of the Regional Conventions; having been to a few this past year as your President, I can tell you that he established a standard in that regard not easily met. But our Role of Law award recognizes someone who has served the People of God in canonical ministry.  In numerous writings of our Society, this is specified as research, study and assistance to the community of God's people, singularly and collectively.  Our recipient has certainly provided our Society and the wider Church with research and study.  From matrimonial jurisprudence to educational and formational disputes to questions of consultation, he has assisted us in the use of all seven books of the Code of Canon Law.  Currently, he is the one in his diocese responsible for the Department of Canonical Services.  In other words, not only unofficially but officially, he is responsible for the research and study of any and all canonical questions; most of the questions involve if not actual disputes at least disturbing confusion.  I would be remiss if I did not comment on his most current assistance to the Church as one called upon to judge penal trials of clerics.  As many of you know, it is not easy for a Tribunal, mandated by Rome but sitting locally, to move to a thoughtful conclusion through all the emotion, the bureaucracy, the procedural uncertainties and the particularities of a case.  Our recipient this year adjudicates these cases with canonical skill, common sense and courtesy for all. In all of this, however, our recipient focuses on the person, the individual, not the office or the title.  In doing that, he demonstrates a real grasp of law in the Church: it is part of the living reality of God's People.  Context is everything, and our recipient never takes law out of the context of the community.  Indeed, it is his humanity, which I noted at the beginning, that makes his canonical ministry so effective.  As your President, and as a fellow Episcopal Vicar for Canonical Concerns, it is my pleasure to present to you the recipient of the 2009 Role of Law Award from the Canon Law Society of America, the Episcopal Vicar for Canonical Concerns for the diocese of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Fr. Larry DiNardo.

CITATION ROLE OF LAW AWARD by Rev. Msgr. Mark L. Bartchak One of the most pleasant moments of the Annual Convention of the Canon Law Society of America is the announcement and conferral of the Role of Law Award. According to number 15 of The By-Laws of the Canon Law Society of America, the specific duty of determining the recipient of the Role of Law Award is assigned to the Board of Governors.  The By-Laws do not specify the process, but the criteria to be observed in selecting the recipient are clearly established: (1) Embodiment of pastoral attitude, (2) Commitment to research and study, (3) Participation in development of law, (4) Response to needs of practical assistance, (5) Facilitation of dialogue and the interchange of ideas within the Society and with other groups, (6) The recipient shall not be anyone currently serving on the Board of Governors. The process by which the Board of Governors makes this selection is done thoughtfully and prayerfully.  It is a time for the Board of Governors to take stock in the good work that is done by so many of you, the members of the Canon Law Society of America.  This moment in which the Role of Law Award is conferred is a time for all of us to reflect on our dedication to the purpose of this society as expressed in the very first sentence of our Constitution: We, the members of the Canon Law Society of America, ever eager to fulfill our role in the Church through the proper use of canon law, hereby proclaim our desire to promote every method of serving God's people that comes under the concept of law. While this purpose and dedication pertains to all of us, each year we have the privilege of recognizing one member of the Canon Law Society of America who has been and continues to be ever eager to fulfill that role in the Church.  I thought of sharing the identity of this year's recipient at the very outset, but I was advised that the proper protocol is to save it to the end.  However, I am sure that you will quickly know the name once you have heard a just few highlights of this person's life and ministry. The recipient of the 2004 Role of Law Award is a cleric and a member of an institute of consecrated life.  He was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas on November 29, 1929.  He made his first vows as a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate in 1950 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1956. He has held a number of positions in his religious community, including professor of moral theology and canon law at the Oblate Scholasticate in Pass Christian, Mississippi from 1957 to 1965.  He was associate pastor and then pastor of St. Patrick Parish, McCook, Nebraska from 1965-1969.  From 1969-1975 he was director of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois.  He was provincial superior of the Central United States Province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in St. Paul, Minnesota from 1975-1981 and director general of the Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate and secretary of the Oblate Sharing Fund at the O.M.I. Generalate in Rome from 1981-1986.  The missionary dimension of his religious life is also reflected in his appointment to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples by Pope John Paul II, where he served as a consultor from 1985-1993. This breadth of experience in pastoral duties and religious life added a unique dimension to his role as professor of canon law at St. Paul University from 1986-2000.  He was likewise well-prepared for the role of professor by his own studies.  He received licentiate degrees in philosophy and canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, also in Rome.  He later obtained the Diploma of Advocate for the Roman Rota after completing the course at the Studia Rotale. Our recipient has always been ready to share his knowledge of the law not only in the classroom, but through his writings.  He is the author of numerous articles published in The Jurist, Monitor Ecclesiasticus, Newsletter of the Canadian Canon Law Society, Pastoral Sciences, The Priest, and Studia Canonica.  He has authored or edited several books including his doctoral dissertation, The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate: A Clerical Religious Congregation with Brothers, first published in 1984, with a revised edition published in 1995.  Many of these works have been translated into other languages and published simultaneously in various places around the world, especially for the benefit of the Church in developing nations.  His writings touch on a variety of topics including marriage jurisprudence and procedures, sacraments, clergy issues, and penalties.  His publications are always a treasure-trove of English translations of all sorts of Papal and curial documents.  This individual has gone beyond the classroom and print media in order to educate others in the field of canon law.  His first effort with electronic media was a CD-ROM version of the 1956-2000 volumes of Canon Law Abstracts. It appears that when our recipient was named professor emeritus in the Faculty of Canon Law at St. Paul University in 2001, he ignored the fine print of the decree which indicated that he was retired.  Instead, he accepted the invitation of the Cardinal Archbishop of Chicago to serve as associate episcopal vicar for canonical services and promoter of justice in the Archdiocese.  If that wasn't enough, he has continued to research in new areas and to update some of his earlier works, always looking for additional information and jurisprudence to share.  Since the promulgation of the USCCB, Charter for the Protection of Children and Youth and the corresponding Essential Norms, he has offered his assistance in educating and advising canonists, bishops, and religious superiors in the proper application of the penal law of the Church.  He is often spoken of with grateful affection by his former students at St. Paul University and is certainly well-regarded by any who have sought his counsel. I have had the pleasure of participating in meetings with him and I have always been impressed by the way he shares his wisdom and knowledge of the law with a sense of dignity and humility, and with deep respect for the good of the Church and the good of each and every person who is served by its law.  It is obvious that he is inspired by the missionary spirit of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and committed to the mission of promoting every method of serving God's people that comes under the concept of law. With gratitude and sincere respect, it is my privilege on behalf of the Board of Governors and the entire membership of the Canon Law Society of America to present the 2004 Role of Law Award to Reverend William H. Woestman of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

Role of Law Award Citation The Reverend Monsignor John J. M. Foster  At every annual convention since 1973, the Canon Law Society of America has recognized one of its members with the Role of Law Award, the Society's highest honor. The Board of Governors selects the recipient based on his or her (1) embodiment of pastoral attitude, (2) commitment to research and study, (3) participation in the development of law, (4) a response to needs or practical assistance, and (5) facilitation of dialogue and the interchange of ideas within the Society and with other groups.  This year's recipient was born and raised in the upper Midwest, attending public schools until the third grade and then switching to Catholic schools through the completion of college. Our honoree was both a high school valedictorian and college valedictorian. Discerning that he was not called to the priesthood, our colleague became a National Defense Education Fellow in the counseling psychology program at Colorado State University. As a fellow, he interned at the VA hospital in Palo Alto, California before earning both masters and doctoral degrees in psychology.  Following the completion of his training in psychology, tonight's honoree served as an assistant professor of psychology and director of the Counseling Center at Clarke College before moving to Loras College, where he rose to be an associate professor of psychology and education and Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students. His résumé in the field of psychology highlights his chairmanship of the Iowa Board of Psychology from 1984 through 1990 and again in 2008 and his service as vice president and president of the Federation of Associations of Regulatory Boards and the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. In 1995, our honoree served as the general secretary of the First International Conference on Licensure, Certification, and Credentialing of Psychologists in New Orleans. Named a fellow of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards in 1993, he received the Association's Morton Berger Award in 1996.  Taking the Divine Master at his word to place his talents at the service of the Church, the recipient of this year's Role of Law Award started his studies for the JCL at the Catholic University of America in 1994. He sat directly behind me in class during the two summers we studied together. In fact, our honoree was the first person I ever heard use the term 1095—as if he knew what he was talking about. Come to find out, he did!  Graduating from CUA in 1998 with a licentiate in canon law, our colleague has served this Society as the chair of the Marriage Research Committee, on the Board of Governors as secretary and consultor, and on tribunal review teams. He has used his education, training, and experience in psychology in numerous presentations at national and regional canon law meetings; as an advocate, promoter of justice, and judge in penal cases; and as a peritus, assessor, and judge in marriage cases. His publications in both psychology and canon law are numerous.  In 1979, tonight's honoree was ordained as a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Since then, he has served as the assistant director and director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate in Dubuque. At the national level, he has served as the treasurer and secretary of the National Association of Diaconate Directors.  For the first time, the Role of Law Award is presented to a permanent deacon—and a most worthy one at that. Please join me in congratulating Deacon Gerald Jorgensen.

ROLE OF LAW AWARD CITATION The Reverend Monsignor John J. M. Foster At every annual convention since 1973, the Canon Law Society of America has recognized one of its members with the Role of Law Award, the Society's highest honor. The Board of Governors selects the recipient based on his or her (1) embodiment of pastoral attitude, (2) commitment to research and study, (3) participation in the development of law, (4) a response to needs or practical assistance, and (5) facilitation of dialogue and the interchange of ideas within the Society and with other groups. This year's recipient was born and raised in the upper Midwest, attending public schools until the third grade and then switching to Catholic schools through the completion of college. Our honoree was both a high school valedictorian and college valedictorian. Discerning that he was not called to the priesthood, our colleague became a National Defense Education Fellow in the counseling psychology program at Colorado State University. As a fellow, he interned at the VA hospital in Palo Alto, California before earning both masters and doctoral degrees in psychology. Following the completion of his training in psychology, tonight's honoree served as an assistant professor of psychology and director of the Counseling Center at Clarke College before moving to Loras College, where he rose to be an associate professor of psychology and education and Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students. His résumé in the field of psychology highlights his chairmanship of the Iowa Board of Psychology from 1984 through 1990 and again in 2008 and his service as vice president and president of the Federation of Associations of Regulatory Boards and the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. In 1995, our honoree served as the general secretary of the First International Conference on Licensure, Certification, and Credentialing of Psychologists in New Orleans. Named a fellow of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards in 1993, he received the Association's Morton Berger Award in 1996. Taking the Divine Master at his word to place his talents at the service of the Church, the recipient of this year's Role of Law Award started his studies for the JCL at the Catholic University of America in 1994. He sat directly behind me in class during the two summers we studied together. In fact, our honoree was the first person I ever heard use the term 1095—as if he knew what he was talking about. Come to find out, he did! Graduating from CUA in 1998 with a licentiate in canon law, our colleague has served this Society as the chair of the Marriage Research Committee, on the Board of Governors as secretary and consultor, and on tribunal review teams. He has used his education, training, and experience in psychology in numerous presentations at national and regional canon law meetings; as an advocate, promoter of justice, and judge in penal cases; and as a peritus, assessor, and judge in marriage cases. His publications in both psychology and canon law are numerous. In 1979, tonight's honoree was ordained as a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Since then, he has served as the assistant director and director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate in Dubuque. At the national level, he has served as the treasurer and secretary of the National Association of Diaconate Directors. For the first time, the Role of Law Award is presented to a permanent deacon—and a most worthy one at that. Please join me in congratulating Deacon Gerald Jorgensen.

Role of Law Award Citation Dr. Zabrina R. Decker  Our Role of Law recipient was born in the previous millennium, and lived in the same city up until retirement. The public school system educated our recipient for elementary school and then he attended four diocesan seminaries, three of which are now closed.  He did not have an outstanding academic career, but managed to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, before Mastering Divinity and being ordained a diocesan priest in 1977.   Early in his career as a parish priest, he became involved in the newly-established ministry to the separated and divorced, which led him to ask the Tribunal if it needed any assistance. He did not envision that lasting 27 years. After a two year internship at the diocesan tribunal, during which time he became a member of the Canon Law Society of America, he pursued canon law studies at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Ontario, where he obtained his Doctorate of Canon Law in 1987, under the guidance of Frank Morrisey, with Dean Jean Thorn occasionally having to scrape him off the ceiling.   After the completion of his degree, he returned to the diocesan tribunal, where he served at various times as Advocate, Promoter of Justice, Defender of the Bond, Adjutant Judicial Vicar, and Judicial Vicar. He also had several terms on the Interdiocesan Court of Appeals. For the last ten years, the job of Vicar for Canonical Services was added to his duties, during which time he had to learn the ins and outs of penal law, often with the help of Bill Woestman's books.  He also served in parochial ministry at two different parishes, mostly in intercultural settings, and participated in various types of canonical education throughout the diocese, as well as on the presbyteral council and college of consultors.  After leaving full-time canonical ministry, he was appointed chaplain to the Catholic students in a university setting, where he served until his retirement in 2017. From 1996 to 2009, he was an adjunct professor at the only diocesan seminary he has not closed. Since 2005, he has taught canon law at Catholic Theological Union and, since 2009, in the Catholic University of America's summer program. He has given several pre-convention workshops for the CLSA, as well as a number of seminars and major addresses.  His articles have appeared in The Jurist and Studia canonica, among other publications.  I am honored to present this year's Role of Law Award to Monsignor Patrick Lagges.

ROLE OF LAW AWARD CITATION Dr. Zabrina R. Decker Our Role of Law recipient was born in the previous millennium, and lived in the same city up until retirement. The public school system educated our recipient for elementary school and then he attended four diocesan seminaries, three of which are now closed. He did not have an outstanding academic career, but managed to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, before Mastering Divinity and being ordained a diocesan priest in 1977. Early in his career as a parish priest, he became involved in the newly-established ministry to the separated and divorced, which led him to ask the Tribunal if it needed any assistance. He did not envision that lasting 27 years. After a two year internship at the diocesan tribunal, during which time he became a member of the Canon Law Society of America, he pursued canon law studies at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Ontario, where he obtained his Doctorate of Canon Law in 1987, under the guidance of Frank Morrisey, with Dean Jean Thorn occasionally having to scrape him off the ceiling. After the completion of his degree, he returned to the diocesan tribunal, where he served at various times as Advocate, Promoter of Justice, Defender of the Bond, Adjutant Judicial Vicar, and Judicial Vicar. He also had several terms on the Interdiocesan Court of Appeals. For the last ten years, the job of Vicar for Canonical Services was added to his duties, during which time he had to learn the ins and outs of penal law, often with the help of Bill Woestman's books. He also served in parochial ministry at two different parishes, mostly in intercultural settings, and participated in various types of canonical education throughout the diocese, as well as on the presbyteral council and college of consultors. After leaving full-time canonical ministry, he was appointed chaplain to the Catholic students in a university setting, where he served until his retirement in 2017. From 1996 to 2009, he was an adjunct professor at the only diocesan seminary he has not closed. Since 2005, he has taught canon law at Catholic Theological Union and, since 2009, in the Catholic University of America's summer program. He has given several pre-convention workshops for the CLSA, as well as a number of seminars and major addresses. His articles have appeared in The Jurist and Studia canonica, among other publications. I am honored to present this year's Role of Law Award to Monsignor Patrick Lagges.

Sister Rose McDermott is a Sister of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill. Among her numerous ministries, she has been a teacher and professor, a writer of articles and books, a consultant to bishops and the Holy See, and one bishop's diocesan delegate for institutes of consecrated life. The members of the Canon Law Society of America are extremely grateful to Sister Rose for her dedication to helping anyone who calls upon her. She was the Society's 2002 Role of Law Award recipient.

2002 CITATION ROLE OF LAW AWARD  Delivered by Rev. Kevin E. McKenna  The recipient of our 2002 Role of Law award exhibits in a most profound and worthy way the attributes and qualities that the award is intended to honor. Our recipient has been actively involved in the ministry of canon law in a variety of settings and ministries. Our recipient has contributed most especially in the field of education, beginning in high school and parochial schools in three archdioceses (Philadelphia, Newark and Washington, DC and two dioceses, Camden and Harrisburg). Our recipient received a Bachelor's degree in English and History at Chestnut Hill College in 1969 and an M.A, in Religious Studies from Providence College in Rhode Island in 1974. Our recipient received a doctorate in canon law from the Catholic University of America in 1979. Since receiving that degree our recipient has been involved in a variety of teaching positions in the field of canon law, including classes in Canon Law for the Laity at Boston College and Trinity College in Washington; has also taught in seminary formation programs at Mary Immaculate Seminary (Vincentian Seminary) in Northampton, Pennsylvania, St. Charles Archdiocesan Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and seminarians from Theological College and Washington Theological Consortium at Catholic University. In addition, our recipient has served as a canonist for several Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, has served as a consultant for many bishops, chancellors and Vicars in promoting Consecrated Life. Our recipient presently serves as a Consultor for the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, an appointment renewed in 2000 for five more years. Our recipient has published articles on consecrated life in Review for Religious, The Jurist, Commentarium pro Religiosi, Studia Canonica, Bulletin de Saint-Sulpice, and Jeevadhara. The award winner has contributed articles to the New Catholic Encyclopedia as well as to the commentaries on the canons on conse­crated life in The Code of Canon Law: A text and Commentary (1985) and New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law (2000). Most importantly – our recipient has been a member of the Canon Law Society of America since 1977, serving on the Board of Governors from 1980 – 1982. She has been Assistant Editor of Roma Replies and CLSA Advisory Opinions since 1991. She is presently Associate Professor of Canon Law at Catholic University of America, where in addition to the work she does with licentiate students, continues to be available to assist any and all who call her as a consultant on matters of Consecrated Life and other issues. And she says that her greatest claim to fame is that she is a Sister of St. Joseph. I am extremely proud to present this year's winner of the Role of Law Award, Sister Rose McDermott.

Reverend Kevin McKenna was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rochester in 1977. After serving two parishes he was asked to study canon law at the Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned his JCL. In 1990 he earned his JCD at St. Paul University in Ottawa. Fr. McKenna served as Vice-Chancellor, Chancellor and Director of Legal Services for the Diocese of Rochester until 2000 when he was appointed pastor of St. Cecilia Church. He also served the CLSA as Vice-President, President and Past President, and was presented with the Role of Law Award in 2007. The followng year, Fr. McKenna was appointed as Pastor/Rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral Community.  On top of this service to the Society and hie diocese, Fr. McKenna is author of numerous articles (such as those in America magazine) and books, including A Concise Guide to Canon Law and A Concise Guide to Catholic Social Teaching. He also serves as general editor for Ave Maria Press' Concise Guide series. Fr. McKenna is also a proud, die-hard Toronto Bluejays fans! 

Reverend Kevin McKenna was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rochester in 1977. After serving two parishes he was asked to study canon law at the Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned his JCL. In 1990 he earned his JCD at St. Paul University in Ottawa. Fr. McKenna served as Vice-Chancellor, Chancellor and Director of Legal Services for the Diocese of Rochester until 2000 when he was appointed pastor of St. Cecilia Church. He also served the CLSA as Vice-President, President and Past President, and was presented with the Role of Law Award in 2007. The followng year, Fr. McKenna was appointed as Pastor/Rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral Community.  On top of this service to the Society and hie diocese, Fr. McKenna is author of numerous articles (such as those in America magazine) and books, including A Concise Guide to Canon Law and A Concise Guide to Catholic Social Teaching. He also serves as general editor for Ave Maria Press' Concise Guide series. Fr. McKenna is also a proud, die-hard Toronto Bluejays fans! 

Role of Law Citation Reverend Monsignor Michael A. Souckar Since 1973, it has been the practice of the Canon Law Society of America to confer its highest honor on someone who has contributed in a particularly positive manner to the high ideals of this scholarly society, at service to the Church's mission to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to exercise justice in accord with the truth and tempered by mercy. As the Universal Church observes the Year of Consecrated Life, this year's Role of Law recipient has given faithful witness to the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience for 49 years. Our honoree, a native of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was taught by religious sisters in secondary school and later entered religious life with the same community. Her vocation has led her to roles of service in the Church that she never could have anticipated, even after earning both the licentiate and doctorate in canon law at The Catholic University of America. Going beyond the usual works undertaken by women religious, our honoree was repeatedly called upon to serve the Church in ever more challenging and significant roles. Becoming the first woman religious to have “this” or “that” job became so common that it was, I dare say, no longer exceptional. Her talents, skills, knowledge and dedication to the mission of the Church were her credentials. And that was enough. As a teacher, our honoree has been a professor of canon law at CUA (where she taught religious law to my JCL class, the class of 1994). We were only one small group of many whom she has taught, whether in the classroom, at convention seminars for the CLSA or other Societies – canonical and non-canonical – in published scholarly articles, or simply by a friendly word of instruction, guidance or counsel. As an executive, our honoree has held roles of responsibility at the diocesan level, within her religious community, for groups of religious communities, and for the Conference of Bishops. With determination and with grace she has guided these respective authorities, even during turbulent times, to make decisions in accord with the Gospel and the law of the Church, and she has most ably assisted in the implementation of those decisions. She has been a loyal and active member of this society since 1984, and has served on several committees, the Board of Governors, and in the role of Executive Coordinator and President. Dear friends, during this Year of Consecrated Life, please join me in congratulating the 2015 recipient of the Role of Law Award, a Sister of Mercy and a daughter of the Church, Sister Sharon Euart, R.S.M.

Sister Sharon Euart is a Sister of Mercy who has served as the Executive Director of the Resource Center for Religious Institutes in Silver Spring, MD, since 2014. Prior to that, she was the Executive Coordinator of the Canon Law Society of America. Sister Sharon has served the CLSA in a number of other capacities, most notably as President of the society, as chairperson of the Publications Advisory Board, and as editor for a number of Societal publications. Sr. Sharon was the CLSA's 2015 Role of Law Award recipient.

Each year the Canon Law Society of America presents its distinguished Role of Law Award to an individual considered to be outstanding in the field of canonical science. The By-Laws of the Society directs the Board of Governors to select a person who demonstrates in his or her life and legal practice the following characteristics: Embodiment of pastoral attitude, commitment to research and study, participation in the development of law, response to needs or practical assistance, facilitation of dialogue and the interchange of ideas within the Society and with other groups. These qualifications are a concise re-statement of the constitutionally-expressed purposes of the Society. The person to whom this award is given is viewed by us as one who embodies all that we, as members of the Society hold dear, as one to whom we can look for guidance and inspiration. Such an official statement alone is perhaps the greatest honor that can be bestowed on anyone – to be selected by one's friends and peers as outstanding among them. This year's recipient of the Role of Law Award was ordained a priest of the Maronite Church in 1976. After being awarded a doctorate in Eastern canon law by the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome in 1980, he served in the administration of the Eparchy of Saint Maron for sixteen years in several offices, the last being Protosyncellus (Vicar General). In 1991, he was ordained a chorbishop of the Maronite Church. He worked at the Catholic Near East Welfare Association from 1996 to 2009. In 2009, he was appointed pastor of Saint Louis Gonzaga Church in Utica, New York. Our honoree this year has served in a wide variety of ministries in the Catholic Church. He has lectured at the Catholic University of America for more than a decade. He has written a commentary on the structures and governance of the Eastern Catholic Churches as well as numerous articles on the Eastern Churches, Eastern canon law, and ecumenism. He has served in the past as consultor of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops Conference Liaison Committee for Latin and Eastern Church Affairs. In the field of ecumenism, the recipient of this year's Role of Law Award is currently a member of the Catholic delegation of the Joint Working Group, a liaison body of the Holy See and the World Council of Churches. He also serves on the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation and the United States Oriental Orthodox-Roman Catholic Consultation. He has been deeply involved for many years with the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher. For his work on behalf of Christians in the Holy Land, he was recently awarded the Golden Palm, the highest honor given by the Order. Our honoree has generously served the Canon Law Society of America. He is a past-president of the Society. He currently is the chair of the Research and Development Committee and a member of the Governance Committee and Publications Committee. He has served in the past as chair of the Eastern Law Committee and as Consultor. He was also chair of the ad hoc committee responsible for the preparation of the most recent English translation of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches. Tonight we honor a friend, a colleague, an educator, a pastor, and a fellow canonist. He is truly a Catholic who breathes with both lungs of the Church. It my privilege to present the 2011 Role of Law Award, on behalf of the Canon Law Society of America and the Board of Governors, to Chorbishop John D. Faris.

In 1986 when he won the CLSA's prestigious Role of Law Award, Monsignor John Alesandro delivered an abridged version of his prepared response. The full talk was published in the CLSA Proceedings from the 1986 Convention. In this recording, Msgr. Alesandro reads his unabridged talk, injected with the sense of humor that his friends and fellow canonists love about him. This recording was made on May 14, 2020. 

Monsignor John Alesandro is a priest of the Diocese of Rockville Center, New York. His unwavering dedication to the Church is obvious when he speaks of the many ministerial roles he has played, both in his diocese and in the Canon Law Society of America. In addition to his canon law expertise, Monsignor Alesandro earned a degree in civil law in his "spare time" in the 1990s. He also is an accomplished pianist and a connoisseur of Bernard Lonergan's theological writings. It was no real surprise that Monsignor Alesandro was honored by the CLSA in 1986 as the Role of Law Award recipient. He continues to inspire and encourage young canonists in the United States and throughout the world today. 

CITATION: ROLE OF LAW AWARD  Each year the Canon Law Society of America presents its distinguished Role of Law Award to an individual considered to be outstanding in the field of canonical science. The By-Laws of the Society directs the Board of Governors to select a person who demonstrates in his or her life and legal practice the following characteristics:    Embodiment of pastoral attitude, commitment to research and study, participation in the development of law, response to needs or practical assistance, facilitation of dialogue and the interchange of ideas within the Society and with other groups.  These qualifications are merely a concise re-statement of the constitutionally-expressed purposes of the Society.  The person to whom this award is given is viewed by us as one who embodies all that we, as members of the Society hold dear, as one to whom we can look for guidance and inspiration. Such an official statement alone is, perhaps the greatest honor that can be bestowed on anyone – to be selected by one's friends and peers as outstanding among them.  The 2005 honoree is a priest and a religious. He was born in San Francisco, California in 1939, entered the Congregation of the Mission, the Vincentians, in 1961 and was ordained a priest in 1965. Active in his religious community, he has served the Vincentians and their ministries in many capacities: as teacher, formation director, college professor and president, and most recently as Founding Director of Vincentian Canonical Services.  In addition to involvement with his religious community this year's recipient of the Role of Law Award has been an active member and representative of our Society for over thirty years. He served as Secretary in 1973-74, Vice-President in 1987-88 and President in 1988-89. He has been a presenter at conventions and contributed generously to Roman Replies on a variety of topics of interest to canonists and church leaders.  This thirty-third recipient of the Role of Law Award is well know to all as a committed churchman imbued with the missionary spirit in the Vincentian tradition, a dedicated teacher, and a person convinced of the pastoral nature of the Church's law as it is grounded in service to the people of God.  Tonight we honor a friend, a colleague, an educator, and a fellow canonist. It my privilege  to present the 2005 Role of Law Award, on behalf of the Canon Law Society of America and the Board of Governors, to  Reverend Paul L. Golden of the Congregation  of the Mission.                                                                                                  Sister Sharon Euart, RSM                                                                                                  October 5, 2005

Father Paul Golden, the CLSA's  2005 Role of Law honoree, is a priest and a religious. He was born in San Francisco, California in 1939, entered the Congregation of the Mission, the Vincentians, in 1961 and was ordained a priest in 1965. Active in his religious community, he has served the Vincentians and their ministries in many capacities: as teacher, formation director, college professor and president, and as Founding Director of Vincentian Canonical Services. In addition to involvement with his religious community Fr. Paul has remained an active member and representative of our Society for over 45 years. He served as the BOG Secretary in 1973-74, Vice-President in 1987-88 and President in 1988-89. He has been a presenter at conventions and contributed generously to Roman Replies on a variety of topics of interest to canonists and church leaders. We are immeasurably grateful to Fr. Paul Golden for his dedication and pastoral presence in our Society. 

Sister Victoria Vondenberger delivered her response to the Role of Law Award Citation that was read by Board President Msgr. Bruce Miller during the Convention Banquet in October of 2017.

Sister Victoria Vondenberger is a Sister of Mercy who has served as head of the Tribunal in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati since she received her licentiate degree in canon law. Sister Vicki has been a member of the CLSA since 1991 and has served the Society through her participation on various committees, as a member of the Board of Governors, and as an author and editor of numerous publications. She recently presented a webinar on The Defender of the Bond, which was attended by dozens of CLSA members. CLSA members can access her webinar on the CLSA website (www.clsa.org).

CITATION                     ROLE OF LAW AWARD                      Rev. Lawrence J. O'Keefe  As a tantalizing clue to the identity of tonight's Role of Law Honoree (for those who have not already discovered it), I will tell you at the outset that our recipient is a ham . . . . radio operator and an accomplished musician. We had considered asking him to give us a concert in lieu of an acceptance speech, but this would be too radical a departure from our tradition. Why should we, in contrast to our forebears, be entertained with fine music when we should be listening to a fine talk? Our Society's Code of Professional Responsibility delineates in rather eloquent terms the qualities to which the canonist  should aspire. He or she is portrayed as, “a person firmly committed to Christ and the Church ... marked by zeal for justice in the Church, aware that while each individual must sacrifice for the common good, true communion is advanced only when the dignity and fundamental rights of each person are held inviolable.” The Professional Responsibility Code further stipulates: “Since the laws of the Church are to be interpreted and administered in the spirit of justice and equity, issuing in charity, the canonist strives to be a person of compassion, emotional balance and sound judgment, committed to the pastoral care of the people of God.” The person whom we honor tonight with the Role of Law Award exemplifies these qualities to a remarkable degree. Having first entered the seminary in 1954, he was ordained a priest in 1966. In 1969 he was awarded a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Lateran University in Rome, and since that time has served as an official of his Archdiocesan Tribunal in one capacity or another. In 1980 he was named as Officialis or Judicial Vicar for his Tribunal, and has filled that post ever since. In August, 1997 he was appointed a Prelate of Honor by Pope John Paul II. Our Honoree has been generous in his service to the Society: He has presented papers at past conventions, been a contributor to the Church Finance Handbook and served as General Editor of the Festschrift in honor of Rev. Lawrence Wrenn. In 1994 he was elected Secretary of the CLSA and in 1997 was elected as Vice-President / President-elect. He presided at our 1999 Convention in Minneapolis. 2002 was a banner year for the service our Honoree rendered to the CLSA: he accepted an appointment to edit Canon Law Digest XV, to chair the Special Task Force to Prepare for the Presidential Hearing on the Canonical Response to Sexual Abuse Issues at the Cincinnati convention, and finally a re-appointment as Chair of the Special Task Force with the new mandate to develop the “Guide to the Implementation ...” Under his skilled leadership the Guide was published in February, 2003 and has won critical acclaim for its canonical precision and pastoral practicality. With the two “task force” assignments successfully accomplished, our Honoree currently serves as Chair of the successor On-Going Committee on the Canonical Aspects of Questions Regarding the Sexual Abuse of Minors. The impressive canonical achievements of the 2003 Role of Law Honoree are exceeded only by his impressiveness as a loving priest and a thoroughly great-hearted man. It is truly a privilege for me, on behalf of the Canon Law Society of America, to present the 2003 Role of Law Award to Msgr. Frederick C. Easton, of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

Monsignor Frederick Easton is a priest of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. He has been a member of the Canon Law Society of America since 1970. During his years with CLSA, he has served as Secretary of the Board of Governors (1994), President of the Board of Governors (1998), a Hearing Officer for the Committee on Professional Responsibility (2008-2010), a Presenter at the 2010 CLSA Convention, Co-Chair of the Commission to Study Regional/National Penal Tribunals, and a past-President Mentor for the Clergy Committee. He is fluent in Latin,  Italian and English. We are grateful to Monsignor Easton for sharing his experiences with us in this podcast.

The Reverend Francis Morrisey is a member of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He has been a member of the Canon Law Society of America for nearly 50 years. Fr. Morrisey taught many members of the CLSA when they studied at St. Paul University in Ottawa. In this interview, conducted on April 21, 2020, Father Morrisey shares some of his thoughts about his many years of ministry as a canon lawyer.