NAIJA CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION The term “ecclesiastical law” can be used interchangeably with canon law or Church law. It is simply the body of codified laws governing the affairs of the Church. The nature of “law” in itself is presupposed in canon law. Otherwise stated, canon law can be understood in respect to law itself especially on the side of being a guiding principle.

1.0 INTRODUCTION The Vatican II Council in general tried to achieve freedom in the act of faith. Thus, faith is the free gift of God and we respond freely to that gift. It is also geared towards rebuilding the Christian unity and for world peace thus the technical term ‘aggiornamento’ is used to refer to the character of the council.

INTRODUCTION The dead man came out, his feet and hands bound with strips of material, and a cloth over his face. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and Let him go free.” (John 11:44). This is an injunction or a command given by the one who is superior and the effect is seen immediately as the victim receives his freedom. The work of redemption accomplished by God is the work of setting the captivated man free.

I. INTRODUCTION John Finnis’ Natural Law and Natural Rights, first published in 1980, has sparked a debate that has lasted for nearly a quarter of a century. Finnis, a professor of jurisprudence at Oxford, has managed to revivify the discussion on natural law with what is being called a new natural law theory.