Who determines canonical penalties for delicts?

• A. Parish councils
• B. Civil courts
• C. The victim
• D. Proper competent authorities (e.g., bishops, tribunals)

Answer: (D)

In canon law, canonical penalties for delicts are determined by the Church’s own authorities that have jurisdiction over the matter. That means the proper competent authorities—such as bishops (or other ordinaries) and ecclesiastical tribunals—impose penalties after a proper canonical process. This structure ensures penalties are applied consistently within the Church’s legal framework and according to the offender’s situation and the gravity of the delict.

Parish councils do not have juridical power to impose canonical penalties; they govern parish matters but lack authority to adjudicate delicts. Civil courts handle secular, not canonically binding penalties, and their decisions don’t determine canonical disciplinary measures. The victim does not determine the penalty either; the power rests with the Church’s canonical authorities following due process.