Those who ONLY and EXCLUSIVELY seek to please their superiors will continue to be overburdened with the weaknesses of superiors, which affects how the superiors make and interpret the law.
Why do we obey Church laws? To avoid punishment from the superior, to be praised, or to do the will of God as we journey towards holiness?
The spirituality of canon law asks: Does a law that ought to promote order and discipline in the ecclesial society also seek to promote holiness and holistic salvation of the souls of the legislator as well as the recipients of the law?
If the salvation of souls stems from divine mercy, and the Church, to whom it is entrusted the continuation of Christ’s saving work, has the salvation of souls as its primary purpose and the absolute guiding principle of its laws, it means that mercy is an intrinsic part of canon law.
The immediate purpose of canon law as a legal system and science is to compose its norms and institutions in such a way that they are directed to the supreme pastoral purpose of salus animarum,
The numerous exceptions granted in relaxing ecclesiastical discipline and remission of ecclesiastical penalties, especially in the danger of death, show the salvation of souls as the supreme law of the Church.
