- Mission of Justice for Priests & Deacons
Priests and deacons who fear they cannot be adequately represented by diocesan canon lawyers can now turn to a canon lawyer referral program called Justice for Priests and Deacons.
Msgr. Michael Higgins, a Canon Lawyer from San Diego, said "most diocesan canon lawyers work in marriage tribunals of local dioceses and are employees of the diocese themselves. Therefore, they are often reluctant to take on cases which will put them at odds with their employer."
Justice for Priests and Deacons was founded to create a referral program to advise priests and deacons about their rights under Canon Law and to process appeal cases. Currently approximately 90 canon lawyers are available in the United States, Ireland, England, Australia and a few other countries..
Many priests and deacons are unaware of their rights under Canon Law. Justice for Priests and Deacons seeks to serve the needs of clergy and its canonists are available for consultation and representation.
Justice for Priests and Deacons is an independent canon law group and we are not affiliated with the Canon Law Society of America. However, all our canonists are active members of the Canon Law Society and some serve on different committees of the society.
We now have non-profit status and a board of trustees of canonists, civil attorneys and lay people.
- The Procedure
All requests come through the main office and are confidential. After we gather information on each case, a canonist is assigned. The canonist works to defend the rights of and give canonical counsel to the priest or deacon.
Assigned canonists come from another diocese or a different religious community than the client priest or deacon.
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- Commentary and Norms
To: Members of the U.S. Catholic Hierarchy
From: The Office of Justice for Priests and Deacons
January 30, 2003
Enclosed you will find a canonical commentary on the Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors By Priests and Deacons.
The commentary was prepared by a group of international canonists from the Oriental and Latin Churches. These canonists have received their degrees from different Pontifical Faculties of Canon Law in the United States, Canada, and Rome. They are well informed on both the administrative and penal processes in these matters.
The commentary is concerned about the promotion of justice, the protection of the individual's rights (both accuser and accused) and the procedures for a canonical trial. We trust that you will find the commentary on canonical procedure and the protection of the rights of all parties to be a valuable source document in the implementation of justice in your individual dioceses. Many hours of experience have been put into its preparation and we hope it will be of assistance to you as you provide justice in these serious matters.
If you have any questions on the commentary, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help.
You may wish to visit our web site: www.justiceforpriests.org
Wishing you God's blessing on your ministry and assuring you a remembrance in our prayers.
Peace and Joy
- How Do I request assistance?
Are you a Priest or Deacon in need of our help?
If you feel that your rights have been violated, please submit the following information that will help us to begin the process of justice for you. Please type (if possible) and submit by Email, Fax or Regular Mail.
Please Note: If sending via email, bypass this form and input your information directly into the body of the email.
If submitting by fax or regular mail, click here to reach our printable form.
In order to better serve you, please provide us with some necessary information. Your privacy is assured! Include: Name:, Address:, City:, State:, Zip Code:, Phone, Home:, Work:, Cell:, Fax:, Email:, Diocese/Religious Community:, Year of Ordination:, Year of Birth:
Please give us some background on your family, education, and seminary training.
Please describe your years in ministry with some details and reasons why you want our help.
Do you have a civil attorney?, Name of civil attorney: Address:, City:, State:, Zip Code:, Phone, Home:, Work:, Cell:, Fax:, Email:,
Additional information and details you want to share:
Please submit your responses to the questionaire above via e-mail to justiceforpriests@verizon.net,
by fax, or by standard mail to the P.O. Box address listed below. Thank you.
Rev. Msgr. Michael Higgins, M.A., S.T.D., J.C.D.
Justice for Priests and Deacons
P.O. Box 87225
San Diego, CA 92138-7225
Phone: (760) 321-4842
Fax: (760) 321-4894
Email: justiceforpriests@verizon.net
- Justice for Priests and Deacons Information Center
Mailing Address:
Justice for Priests and Deacons
Rev. Msgr. Michael Higgins, M.A., S.T.D., J.C.D
P.O. Box 87225
San Diego, CA 92138-7225
Phone: (760) 321-4842
Fax: (760) 321-4894
Email: justiceforpriests@verizon.net
- Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Justice for Priests and Deacons
Rev. Msgr. Michael Higgins, M.A., S.T.D., J.C.D
P.O. Box 87225
San Diego, CA 92138-7225
Phone: (760) 321-4842
Fax: (760) 321-4894
Email: justiceforpriests@verizon.net
- Make a Donation
COur Beloved Pope John Paul II's message
We pray for all our clergy and their continued good health as they cope with their ministry.
We want you to know that there is a bright light waiting for you!
Pope John Paul II’s words “Be not afraid” and Pope Benedict’s reminder to us that "Christ is our Hope" gives us renewed self reassurance, confidence and strength when we feel miserable, discouraged, isolated and weak. We love our priests and deacons, won't you make a donation for their welfare too?
- The Canon Law Society of America
Links To Other Sites
To view the latest Justice for Priests and Deacons newsletter in PDF format, click here.
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