Which term describes an act that does not take effect in Canon Law?

• A. Invalid
• B. Illicit
• C. Dispensation
• D. Rescript

Answer: (A)

In canon law, for an act to take effect, it must be valid. Validity means the act meets all required form, consent, and jurisdiction conditions so that it actually has juridical force. When an act lacks one of those essential elements, it does not take effect at all, and we describe it as invalid—it is void from the start and cannot produce any lawful consequences.

Illicit, by contrast, means the act violates a law but may still be valid and have effects until authorities determine otherwise. A dispensation is permission granted to set aside a canonical obstacle, making an act licit, not invalid. A rescript is a formal papal reply or decision about a matter, again not a term describing whether an act takes effect.