Who promulgates canon law and when does it take effect?

• A. Promulgation is done by the civil authorities.
• B. Promulgation is a personal vow by the clergy.
• C. Promulgation is done by the competent authority and determines when the law takes effect.
• D. Promulgation only applies to liturgical texts.

Answer: (C)

Promulgation is the act by which the Church’s law is officially proclaimed as binding and made known to the faithful. In canon law, this power rests with the competent ecclesiastical authority—such as the pope for universal laws or a bishop for local laws—and the promulgation itself determines when the law enters into force. Civil authorities do not promulgate canon law, and a law isn’t created by a clergy member’s personal vow, nor is promulgation restricted only to liturgical texts. The timing of a law’s effect is set by the promulgation: it takes effect on the promulgation date or on another date specified within the promulgation.