November 2025

Canon law safeguards rights through a three‑fold approach: defining the rights of the faithful, establishing procedural guarantees, and reinforcing the exercise of authority as service.

The sixth principle contributes to the spirituality of canon law by safeguarding the rights of Christ’s faithful, reinforcing the exercise of authority as service in facilitating the journey of holiness, and avoiding abuses that undermine it, ultimately promoting the salvation of souls.  

When there is no decree on a matter, “the competence of each diocesan bishop remains intact, nor is a conference or its president able to act in the name of all the bishops unless each and every bishop has given consent” (Can. 455 §4).

Delegation is a manifestation of the spirituality of canon law because it ensures that suitable persons govern the Church, thereby protecting the integrity of sacraments, maintaining governance within the Church, promoting justice, and ultimately, safeguarding and promoting the relationship of the faithful with God.