Number 84 of the Vademecum on Certain Points of Procedure in Treating Cases of Sexual Abuse of Minors Committed by Clerics provides for three types of definitive penal sentences. This appears to be in contrast with can. 1608, which would seem to provide for only two types of sentences: “constat” and “non constat”. This article answers the question of whether the aforementioned practice of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith can be applied in common penal law, i.e. in criminal proceedings in cases not reserved to the competence of that Dicastery. The conclusion is negative, both due to the presumption of innocence of the accused as well as due to the structure of the canonical process as regulated in the current Code.

In this article are analysed two recent sentences of the Apostolic Tribunal of the Rota Romana which have introduced a new concept into jurisprudence, noögenic immaturity or noögenic neurosis. This is the beginning of a new jurisprudential development, and we will see in the coming years what course it will take, whether it will be accepted or rejected.

With the Praedicate evangelium decentralization becomes a matter on which canonical reflection is urgently needed. Infact, it raises numerous questions in the relations between the central government of the Church and the particular Churches. Between the understanding of autonomy and the protection of the unity of the universal Church, decentralization stands as a delicate system in its operation to prevent the plurality of socio-cultural contexts from creating divisions.

The article aims to give the reader a general over of the Regulations for Postulators, published by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in October 2021. A unique document of its kind, it presents evident innovations, including a limitation in the number of causes to be taken up in the Roman phase and the stipulation of incompatibility with certain other subjects. General commentary notes are followed by insights into some particular points highlighted by the same document.