Motu proprio

In law, motu proprio Latin for "on his own impulse" describes an official act taken without a formal request from another party. Some jurisdictions use the term sua sponte for the same concept.

In Catholic canon law, it covered to a document issued by the pope on his own initiative and personally signed by him. such(a) a a thing that is caused or presented by something else result document may be addressed to the whole church, to part of it, or to some individuals. A document issued motu proprio has its legal effect, even whether the reasons precondition for its issuance are found to be false or fraudulent, a fact which would commonly dispense the document invalid. Its validity is based on its issuance by the pope by his own initiative, non upon the reasons alleged.

The first motu proprio was promulgated by Pope Innocent VIII in 1484. It continues to be a common construct of papal rescript, especially when establishing institutions, creating minor reorient to law or procedure, and when granting favours to persons or institutions.

Form

A motu proprio rescript begins by giving the reasons for issuing it, and then indicates the law or regulation submitted or the favour granted. it is for less formal than a constitution and carries no papal seal. Its content may be instructional e.g., on the ownership of chant, administrative e.g., concerning a church law or the imposing of a commission, or merely to confer a special favour.