Ecclesiastical Justice in the diocese of Coimbra in the 16th century: organization of the tribunal, profiles and competences of the officers of justice

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A reorganization of the organisms of justice in the diocese of Coimbra during the first half of the 16th century culminated in the publication of a Regiment of the Episcopal Court (Auditório Eclesiástico), ordered by the bishop of Coimbra D. João Soares in 1547. The prescripts issued by the Council of Trent, intended to reinforce vigilance and regulate and purify the Christian behaviour of prelates, also resulted in a reform of the ecclesiastical judicial system. It was in this context that D. Afonso de Castelo Branco ordered a new Regiment of the Episcopal Court (Auditório) which was published on 3 March, 1592. This normative corpus was central to the operation of the diocese, the rationalization of administrative procedures and the praxis of daily government, and is an invaluable source in the study of episcopal tribunals. By examining the profiles, competences and functions of the various agents who worked there, we will analyse the organization and internal structure of the tribunal of Coimbra.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-37
Number of pages37
JournalIus Canonicum
Volume58
Issue number115
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Keywords

  • Episcopal Court
  • Regiment
  • Diocese of Coimbra

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Ecclesiastical Justice in the diocese of Coimbra in the 16th century: organization of the tribunal, profiles and competences of the officers of justice'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this