Which is an example of a physical person in canonical law?

• A. A diocese
• B. A parish
• C. A baptized Catholic
• D. A university

Answer: (C)

In canon law, the fundamental distinction is between physical (natural) persons and juridic (corporate) persons. A physical person is a living human being with rational nature, capable of rights and duties within the Church’s law. A baptized Catholic fits this category because they are a human person who, through baptism, enters the Church and possesses personal rights and obligations under canon law.

The other options refer to juridic persons: a diocese, a parish, and a university are structured legal entities created by canon law to own property, hold rights, and carry out ecclesial functions. They are not individuals, but organized bodies. So the baptismal Catholic is the clear example of a physical person in canon law.