Canon Law – Sources of Ecclesiastical Laws – Ibn al-‘Assal

First: Authentic Sources of Canon Law

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the true sources of canon law include:

• Holy Scripture

• The Apostolic Canons

• The Apostolic Teachings (Didascalia)

• The Canons of Ecumenical and Local Councils

• The Canons of the Great Fathers

• The Sayings of the Fathers and the Lives of the Saints, due to their legislative and spiritual value

Second: The Church’s Position on Ibn al-‘Assal’s Collection

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III stresses that Ibn al-‘Assal’s book does not fully or accurately represent canon law, and it must not be treated as an infallible reference. Rather, it should be critically examined: what agrees with faith and tradition is accepted, and what contradicts them is rejected.

Third: Additions in Ibn al-‘Assal’s Book

Among the most dangerous additions are:

• The inclusion of royal (civil) laws within canon law

• Reliance on forged canons, such as the spurious Nicene canons

• Borrowing from non-Orthodox sources such as Nestorians and Melkites

• Citing canons without clear references

• Introducing personal opinions and philosophical reasoning lacking canonical authority

Fourth: Omissions in Ibn al-‘Assal’s Book

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the book neglects:

• The theological canons of the Ecumenical Councils

• The canons of major Fathers such as Athanasius, Basil, and Peter the Seal of the Martyrs

• Liturgical canons

• Monastic canons, especially those of Saint Pachomius and Saint Shenoute

• Many essential areas of ecclesiastical life

Fifth: Confusion Between Canon Law and Civil Law

The lecture clarifies the fundamental distinction between:

• Ecclesiastical punishment, which is spiritual in nature

• Civil punishment, which is legal and governmental
  and criticizes the insertion of purely civil and financial matters into canon law.

Sixth: An Overall Evaluation of Ibn al-‘Assal

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III affirms that Ibn al-‘Assal was a light in his era in terms of effort, compilation, and organization, but lacked sufficient critical methodology and was influenced by the limitations and errors of his time. Therefore, he cannot be relied upon absolutely in ecclesiastical legislation.

Conclusion

The Church is called to formulate an official, approved canonical corpus, ratified by the Holy Synod, based on authentic Orthodox sources, excluding forged and civil laws, while respecting Ibn al-‘Assal’s historical effort without being bound by it.

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