Purgación Canónica (DCH) (Canonical Purgation (DCH))

8 Pages Posted: 25 Jan 2019 Last revised: 15 Feb 2020

Date Written: November 20, 2018

Abstract

Spanish Abstract: La purgación canónica era una declaración bajo juramento (frente a Dios) usada para demostrar la inocencia de una persona acusada de un crimen del cual no hubiera evidencia suficiente. Este proceso permitía al acusado un camino para limpiar su nombre, evitando la vergüenza y la desgracia provocadas por una acusación injusta. La evidencia faltante se sustituía por un juramento y se dictaba una sentencia. Aunque hoy en día sea difícil de entender, una persona no se comprometía a este proceso a la ligera. Para evitar una condena terrenal uno no asumía un riesgo leve al someterse a una purgación canónica sino que estaba poniendo en juego el destino de su propia alma.

English Abstract: Canonical purgation was a form of testimony under oath (before God) used to demonstrate the innocence of a person accused of a crime where little or no evidence of the wrongdoing itself was available. This process afforded the innocent person an avenue to clear their name, thereby enabling them to avoid the shame and disgrace brought about by the unjust accusation. The missing proof was substituted for by the oath and a judgement pronounced. While today this kind of act is difficult to understand, a person did not undertake this process lightly. Canonical purgation was by no means viewed as a risk worth taking in hope of escaping human condemnation; instead, the very salvation of the person's soul was at stake.

Note: Downloadable document is in Spanish.

Keywords: Canon Law, Indian Law, Oath, Guilt, Proof

Suggested Citation

Molina Pico, Diego, Purgación Canónica (DCH) (Canonical Purgation (DCH)) (November 20, 2018). Max Planck Institute for European Legal History Research Paper Series No. 2019-04, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3320430 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3320430

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