Identify canonical remedies and when each is used.

• A. Cassation is the ordinary remedy to a higher court
• B. Recourse is extraordinary against a decision; Appeal is ordinary to a higher court; Cassation challenges the legality of a judgment to the supreme court (Roman Rota)
• C. There are no remedies
• D. Recourse is the only remedy

Answer: (B)

Canon law distinguishes three remedies to challenge ecclesiastical judgments, each with a distinct aim and level of review. An appeal is the ordinary remedy, taken to a higher court within the same judicial line to review the decision on the grounds of errors in law or misapplication of the rules. Recourse is an extraordinary remedy directed to a higher authority to correct a decision, often used when there are procedural defects or legal faults that the ordinary route does not address. Cassation is a specialized remedy aimed at challenging the legality of a judgment before the supreme court (in many systems the Roman Rota or the equivalent highest tribunal), focusing on legal defects rather than re-litigating facts.

This combination—recourse as extraordinary, appeal as ordinary, and cassation as a legality challenge before the supreme tribunal—best matches how canonical remedies are meant to function, which is why it is the correct choice. The other options overlook one or more of these distinct remedies or mischaracterize their purpose and proper forum.