CENTRE OF CANON LAW STUDIES (CCLS)
Director: Rev Dr. John Abraham

The Centre of Canon Law Studies at St Peter’s Pontifical Institute was started on account of the felt need in the Church of India and at the initiative of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India to prepare and form suitable candidates for specialized ministries and research in the area of canon law. With due deliberation, the Conference requested St Peter’s Pontifical Institute to obtain the necessary permission for this purpose. Through the President of the Conference, the Institute petitioned to the Congregation for Catholic Education, which considered an Institute of higher learning in Canon Law as having vital importance for the Indian Church. Consequently, on 7 November 1988, the Congregation issued a decree of canonical erection of the Centre of Canon Law Studies aggregating it to the Faculty of Canon Law at the Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome.
    The Centre of Canon Law Studies is a national institute for the study and research in canon law for the promotion of ecclesiastical-juridical disciplines under the guidance of the Magisterium and in the light of the mystery of the Church. The Centre has these primary scientific and pastoral objectives: (a) to promote study, teaching and application of ecclesiastical law according to the living tradition of the church taking into account the law’s continuing renewal and progress in the life of the Church; (b) for the fulfillment of various functions necessary to the life of the universal Church and particular churches; (c) to form necessary personnel who will serve in the diocesan curia, ecclesiastical tribunals, especially in India and other Asian countries; (d) to train researchers, teachers, practitioners of canon law as well as the others holding ecclesiastical offices at institutes of higher learning, seminaries, and religious institutes; (e) to promote collaboration and exchange among the various ecclesiastical tribunals in India and the Canon Law Society of India.
COURSES AND ELIGIBILITY
The Centre offers the following courses:
1.    Master in Canon Law Degree
2.    Diploma in Canon Law
3.    Certificate in Canon Law