By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor

Similar to the way in which Americans have their rights and responsibilities as citizens defined in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, so do Catholics have a set of guidelines that are defined in what is known as the Code of Canon Law.

As a way to help faithful come to a better understanding about their rights and obligations as Catholics, a presentation entitled, “What does a ‘practicing Catholic’ look like? Rights and duties of the faithful,” is scheduled for Aug. 23 at 1:15 p.m. in the chapel of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square.

Led by Father Kevin Kimtis, a priest of the Diocese who is currently pursuing a licentiate in canon law in Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, the presentation will address a number of points such as the meaning of rights and their origins; the meaning of duties, and rights and duties in the Church. Questions to be addressed will include “Isn’t the life of a Catholic supposed to be guided by faith and not law?” and “How do we reconcile this apparent tension?”

“Canon law itself gives us a window to the answer to an important question: “How does the Church understand herself and how can we as members of the Church live with one another in a constructive and truly manner?” said Father Kimtis, who was ordained a priest by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., June 4, 2011.

“The law of the Church serves to help the Church become more and more the ‘perfect society’ and holy community that we desire to be,” he said.

General points on canon law that Father Kimtis will review will be based on Book II of the Code of Canon Law which talks about the “People of God.”

“This is an innovation of the 1983 reform of Canon Law,” he said. “In Book II, we get an outline of how the Church thinks about itself today,” and Book II focuses on who the members of the Church are; how they ought to act, and how they ought to treat one another.

“The talk will begin with some theory about ‘rights’ and ‘duties,’ but will also contain some practical directions, hints and suggestions for growing as a ‘practicing Catholic,” Father Kimtis said.

Speaking on the impetus for sponsoring the canon law discussion, Father Michael McClane, pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish, said that as a canonist himself, “we have a code of professional responsibility whereby we pledge to educate people about their rights and obligations in the Code of Canon Law. This is a perfect opportunity with Father Kimtis being home from Rome for the summer.”

Father McClane shared that what is now known as the Pontifical Gregorian University had been founded as the Roman College by St. Ignatius of Loyola on Feb. 23, 1551. It was changed to the Pontifical Gregorian University because Pope Gregory XIII contributed to its development and donated a facility in 1582.

Father McClane attended the Pontifical Gregorian University for two years, pursuing studies in the theology and canon law school programs. Father Kimtis has completed one year of his graduate studies and is expected to remain in Rome for another two years.

Emphasizing how it is the intent of Father Kimtis’ presentation to help parishioners understand first that there are rights and obligations that they have as Catholics, and secondly, to understand them better, Father McClane said that “Sometimes people think that they have no recourse within the governance structure” of the Church.

“In fact, they have rights that are clearly defined, rights that they obtained through Baptism. At the same time though, along with rights there are obligations. Being a member of the Church is not the same mentality as being a consumer, like ordering something from a store.”

As Catholics, “we have responsibilities,” Father McClane asserted.

St. Gregory the Great Parish is located at 4620 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square.