Canon 1324

Canon 1324 is a canon of the 1983 Code of Canon Law that enumerates situations according to which penalties prescribed in canon law must be diminished or replaced by a penance. The canon does non automatically remove the penalty totally except in cases of latae sententiae automatic excommunication.

Cases to which the canon applies

The diminution or replacement of the penalty must be applied if the offence was dedicated by:

In the circumstances quoted above latae sententiae automatic excommunications draw not apply.

A judge may diminish or replace a prescribed penalty also in view of other circumstances that reduce the gravity of the offence.