Canon Law Professionals was established in July 2000 to offer canonical services to all members of the Catholic Church. Prior to this time, canonical assistance had generally been offered only by canon lawyers directly affiliated with dioceses or religious communities. While other canon lawyers may offer some services, Canon Law Professionals is the first known attempt to provide a full range of professional, canonical services to the people of the Catholic Church and its institutions.

Partner of Contact

J. Michael Ritty, J.C.L., Ph.D.

 J. Michael Ritty, J.C.L., Ph.D., has experience in the field of Canon Law,Mediation and Education. He received his canon law degree from Saint Paul University. His experience includes advocate, defender of the bond and judge at both first and second instance marriage courts. He was the Director of a Tribunal for six years, supervising all aspects of the tribunal’s work. He has assisted in the work of administrative tribunals. He has represented religious in disputes with their communities which have led to indults of exclaustration and departure. He has represented priests and religious communities in misconduct procedures and offered advice on other canonical questions.

Dr. Ritty has more than 200 hours of mediation training including specific training to deal with church conflicts. He has mediated more that 200 cases. He is a member of the Association for Conflict Resolution. He was the coordinator of the Office of Conciliation and Arbitration for the Diocese of Madison, and his experience has included pastor-parishioner disputes.
jmr@canonlawprofessionals.com

Nira Sangal, J.C.D., Ph.D.

Nira Sangal, J.C.D., Ph.D., currently works for the Catholic Marriage Tribunal for the Archdiocese of Toronto. She was previously a full-time judge of the Canadian Appeal Tribunal with over 10 years experience as a judge. She has published several articles in canon law journals, given workshops to first instance tribunals, and made presentations at annual canon law conventions. She also acts as guest lecturer in the Faculty of Canon Law at Saint Paul University in Ottawa, Canada.

In addition to the above, Dr. Sangal also has a background in the health care field. She practiced as a community health nurse for several years and has maintained her interest in mainstream and alternative health care.

Margaret Poll Chalmers, JD, JCD, PhD

Margaret Poll Chalmers, JD, JCD, PhD, has many years experience working in canon law as well as in the civil law. Dr. Chalmers has been a judge, defender of the bond, procurator/advocate, and auditor for over ten years. She received her Master's degree in canon law in 1999, and her doctorate in canon law in 2002 from St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada, and is a member of the Canon Law Society of America. She also received a law degree from Washington and Lee University in 1994, and is a member of the Alabama State Bar.

Dr. Chalmers has also worked on a range of other canonical issues involving disputes with religious communities, exclaustration issues, and the protection of rights of the faithful. She has advised clients in disputes between pastors and parishioners. She has given local presentations to educate deacons-in training on canon law, as well as trained lay diocesan procurator/advocates. Finally, she has articles published in both Studia canonica and CLSA Proceedings.
 

Sister Kate Kuenstler

For many of us canon law appears to limit lay participation in church governance. In the revised 1983 code, the laity has specific rights and responsibilities in the church. Kate will review for us how canon law was developed and how it has been misused in the service of reserving power to the hierarchy.

Sister Kate Kuenstler is a member of the international congregation Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. After studying in Rome, Italy, she received a Doctorate in Canon Law form the University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome and has been a canon lawyer for the past 14 years. She has also been an educator, Parish DRE, director in Diocesan Catholic education offices and served as a consultant and lecturer for various organizations.

Other Consultants

There are a number of other canonists who assist in the work of Canon Law Professionals. Some will be added to this web site over the next few months. Others, due to current duties and assignments, have chosen to remain "silent partners" in this venture. Although they wish to remain anonymous, their expertise is utilized on a regular basis.