Ecclesia Supplet: A Panacea for Anomaly in the Celebration and Administration of Sacraments?

Abstract

Ecclesia supplet a Latin canonical term which, means ‘the Church supplies’ is invoked often albeit wrongly as remedy to anomaly (invalid) in the celebration and administration of sacraments. This piece addresses this concern by stating categorically that it cannot be invoked indiscriminately as a remedy to anomalies in the administration of sacraments. Therefore, it has considered contexts and circumstances when this can be invoked as well as indicating situations (specifying those sacraments) in which Ecclesial supplet cannot and should not be invoked. This being the situation, ministers must endeavor to celebrate sacraments in the manner approved using the right matter and form for their effectiveness as provided for by the Codex Iuris Canonici of 1983 which has served as a point of reference in this discussion.