Roman Rota poem (untitled)

I began writing this on 9 September 2011, took a long break, and finished it on 2 February 2015. It is a poeticization of the articles from the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus that govern the Tribunal of the Roman Rota (as amended to 2011). This is my second attempt at a Roman Rota poem. The first was attempted in iambic pentameter; this one is more free form with rhyme. I hope that this is amusing, if not illuminating!

Link to the relevant canonic law: http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_19880628_pastor-bonus-roman-curia.html#TRIBUNALS (Art. 126 et seq.)

 

The Roman Rota is a court
   of higher instance at the fork
of every road that leads to Rome
   or to Saint Peter’s and its dome.

It hears appeals and safeguards rights.
   It helps the courts of lower heights
by virtue of its sentences.
   It fosters law consensuses.

Judges of this Rotal court
   form a college of the sort
over which presides a Dean
   chosen by the Pope Supreme

for established term of office.
   From among juristic pop’lace
Appointees of the pope are priests
   Proved in doctrine, expertise.

In second instance, the Rota deals

   with cases brought it by appeals

from the lower courts which were

   wholly unwilling to confer

a judgement which would appease

   both parties own selfish needs.

The court adjudicates in first instance

   contentious bishops, unless there’s inference

that the bishop represents

   a legal person with intents

to settle a question of earthly goods

   or rights and duties, misunderstood.

The Rota hears the cases of

   abbots primate and those above

monastic orders, and moderators supreme

   of religious institutes of papal regime. [1]

Its j’risdiction extends also[2]

   To the persons subject to no

Boss below the pontifex,

   These in real and fiction sense;

To these, further cases which

   Sovereign Pontiff deigns commit.

All the types of cases mentioned,

   In the second and extended

Instances are processed by

   Roman Rota, Rotal Eye.

This oldest court of Western law

   Is governed by its own,

A law of special application,

   Made by Pope of Rome.

---

[1] I realize a pontifical institute of papal regime is not the same as pontifical institute of papal right. "Esteem" changed to "regime" 23 February 2019, 3:55pm.

[2] Conjoined 5-26-2015, 11:50pm