Law of the Pontifical States

The law of the Pontifical States is based on a range of codified documents, of which the most important are the Foundational Decrees, Code of Canon Law, Ecumenical Council publications, and various pontifical documents and decrees. All executive, legislative, judicial, and diplomatic activity of the country is governed by the Holy See, which holds supreme and absolute authority in the Pontifical States, effectively making the country subordinate to the sovereignty of the Holy See. Due to this arrangement much of Pontifical law comes directly from ecclesiastical writings and church ordinances. The Holy See also enters into treaties involving the Pontifical States with other governments known as Concordats.

The authority of the Holy See is exercised by the Pontifex of the Pontifical Church, who once elected by the College of Cardinals, serves for life and may never be removed from office except by his own resignation.

Foundational Decrees

The Foundational Decrees are a collection of decrees from the First Council of Ekklesiovsk of the Pontifical Church in 2717. The council aimed to establish a fundamental framework for the government of the recently migrated population from Novvy Arkhangelsk, and to cement ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the state. Included within the decrees are several references to the documents of the Lux Orbis, a collection of pre-meteor church documents comprising codes of canon law, apostolic constitutions, exhortations, and letters.

Code of Canon Law

The 2717 Code of Canon Law is the latest comprehensive collection of ecclesiastical regulations, and by far the most voluminous source of law of the Pontifical States. The Code covers all aspects of ecclesiastical, civil, and liturgical life within the country and within the Pontifical Church as an institution both domestically and abroad.

Ecumenical Councils

Ecumenical Councils of the Pontifical Church are the highest authority of law effected in the Pontifical States when sanctioned by the Holy See. This is most succinctly described in the Catechism of the Pontifical Church paragraphs 883 & 884:

CPC 883 "The college or body of bishops has no authority unless united with the Roman Pontiff, Peter's successor, as its head." As such, this college has "supreme and full authority over the universal Church; but this power cannot be exercised without the agreement of the Roman Pontiff."

CPC 884 "The college of bishops exercises power over the universal Church in a solemn manner in an ecumenical council." But "there never is an ecumenical council which is not confirmed or at least recognized as such by Peter's successor."

While not a direct effect in the legislation of the Pontifical States, statements made about secular affairs in conciliar decrees are relayed into the law of the country via the Holy See.

Pontifical Documents

Concordats

Concordats are official treaties signed between the Holy States and other sovereign entities, which carry supreme power in the Pontifical States.

Active Concordats

Concordat of 3021 (Lancastria)

• Compact of Free Association
• Mutual Defense Treaty

Inactive Concordats

Concordat of 3020 (Neu Corporate Republik)

• Treaty of Novenae