THE CONTRIBUTION OF CANON LAW TO THE SCIENCE OF LAW

It`s a reflection on the history of Canon Law, since its birth at the University of Bologna in the 12th century. It was the beginning of a new law as opposed to the formalism of Roman law, by systematising the principles of Christian doctrine: dignity of the person, equality and freedom, thus widening the field of law, while creating criminal, procedural and matrimonial law, and it marked the bases through which European law has marched until our times. This line of law was further developed by the School of Salamanca, Vitoria and his disciples, who, by studying the problems caused by the discovery of America, were able to provide solutions to matters corresponding to political, international and commercial law, thus laying the foundations of the new society. These principles were opposed by the Enlightened Despotism, but were restored by the French Revolution, which appropriated the principles without citing their origin, and have been present in political life up to the present day. Thus, Canon Law, forgotten in Spanish university teaching, is at the root of today's legal studies.