Pontifical Oriental Institute

Eastern Canon Law

The Pontifical Oriental Institute is home to the only Catholic Faculty of Oriental Canon Law in the world.

The main area of work of this Faculty is the CCEO, which is the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches. Teaching and research also include the historical sources of the canons, the philosophy and theology of law, and the study of the various particular laws of the Churches sui iuris.

After completing the Bachelor's degree in Theology (first cycle), students are admitted to the Licentiate (D.C.O.L.).

After completing the Licentiate (second cycle), students can enroll in the Doctoral program (D.C.O.D.).

Those who are interested in deepening a specific topic or having a general knowledge of Eastern Canon Law can enroll in the Diploma in Eastern Canon Law.

Eligible to enroll in the doctoral cycle are:

  • students who have obtained the degree of Licentiate at the Pontifical Oriental Institute with a mark of not less than 9,3/10 (magna cum laude) and a mark of not less than 9/10 in the comprehensive written and oral examination;
  • students who have obtained the degree of Licentiate at an Eastern Canon Law institution aggregated to the Pontifical Oriental Institute, only after recognition of eligibility by the Dean*.
  • The academic authority that recognizes the candidate’s eligibility is the Dean, together with a commission of faculty members established by him, who evaluate the candidate’s Licentiate thesis.

Submit Your Application

Click here to fill out the application form.