Computation of time

For the treatise on time written by Bede the Venerable, see The Reckoning of Time.

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In the canon law of the Catholic Church, the computation of time, also translated as the reckoning of time (Latin: suppputatio temporis), is the manner by which legally-specified periods of time are calculated according to the norm of the canons on the computation of time.

Months

Months are computed according to the calendar from the date of publication. A "canonical month" (in contradistinction to a "calendar month") is a period of 30 days, while a "calendar month" is a continuous month.

Vacatio legis

Main article: Vacatio legis

The vacatio legis is computed according to the calendar; for example, if a law is promulgated on 2 November, and the vacatio legis is 3 months, then the law takes effect on 2 February. So a universal law has a vacatio legis of approximately 90 days—3 months taken according to the calendar—while a particular law has a vacatio legis of approximately 30 days—1 month taken according to the calendar—unless specified to the contrary.

History

See also: Legal history of the Catholic Church

From 1918 to 1983, Book I, Title III of the 1917 Code of Canon Law regulated the computation of time in the Latin Church.

References

Bibliography

• Caparros, Ernest, Michel Thériault, Jean Thorn (editors). Code of Canon Law Annotated: Second edition revised and updated of the 6th Spanish language edition (Woodridge: Midwest Theological Forum, 2004).
• Della Rocca, Fernando. Manual of Canon Law (Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Company, 1959). Translated by the Rev. Anselm Thatcher, O.S.B.
• De Meester, A. Juris Canonici et Juris Canonico-Civilis Compendium: Nova Editio, Ad Normam Codicis Juris Canonici—Tomus Primus (Brugis: Societatis Sancti Augustini, 1921).
• Peters, Dr. Edward N. The 1917 or Pio-Benedictine Code of Canon Law: In English Translation with Extensive Scholarly Apparatus (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2001).