Efficacy of Dispensations Granted Without a Just Cause and under the Influence of Error, Deceit and Force

Dispensation is one of the fundamental institutions which are typical of ecclesiastical law. It has been ordered and disciplined with much precision by the canonical doctrine, grown within the canonical system, and is ever modified and perfected by canonical legislations. Canon 85 of the 1983 Code defines this institution as a singular administrative act, granted by those enjoying executive power, whose main objective is to mitigate the vigor of a merely ecclesiastical law in a particular case for the spiritual benefit of the faithful. It is not an instrument of administering justice but an instrument of prudent administration. At times, there can be abuse of this canonical institution by the competent authorities themselves, or by the subjects requesting dispensation. This article, in order to help the people of God and the competent ecclesiastical authorities to appreciate the value of the canonical institution of dispensation within the canonical system, sets out to defend the need of a just cause, and to caution the Christian faithful from seeking dispensations on the basis of deceit, force or under the influence of grave fear.