In the context of the ever-increasing importance of specialization and research in Oriental Canon Law and taking into account the facilities of DVK in creatively contributing to the overall progress of the Church in India, especially the Oriental Churches, a new Institute was erected at Dharmaram Vidya Kshetramby the Congregation for Catholic Education (CCE), Rome, on March 29, 1999. This Institute is aggregated to the Faculty of Eastern Canon Law, Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome, and is named Institute of Oriental Canon Law (IOCL). This institute was inaugurated on July 14, 1999 by the Major Archbishop, Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil CSsR, the then Chancellor of DVK.

The Institute is meant for the study and research in Oriental and Latin Codes of  Canon Law, "cultivating and promoting the juridical disciplines in the light of the law of the Gospel and of deeply instructing the students in these, so as to form researchers, teachers and others who will be trained to hold special ecclesiastical posts" (VG Art. 77). Accordingly, the Institute has the following aims:

1. To prepare personnel for the eparchial curiae and ecclesiastical tribunals of the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Churches, in particular, as well as the Oriental and Latin eparchies/dioceses in India and abroad.
2. To promote collaboration and exchange among the various ecclesiastical tribunals existing in India.
3. To train teachers in Canon Law, especially in Oriental Canon Law (CCEO cc. 340, §1, 471, §2; CIC c. 253, §l).
4. To prepare personnel of Institutes of Consecrated life, who can help in the formulation and renewal of their constitutions, in their work of formation as well as administration.
5. To enable students to understand the meaning and implications of Canon Law in the context of civil law and codes of other religions of India and to promote a healthy dialogue among the legal systems.
6. To pursue and promote scientific study and research and scholarly publications in view of inculturation of Church Law in the pluralistic context of India.

The Institute offers (i) Licentiate in Oriental Canon Law (LOCL), which is awarded by the Faculty of Eastern Canon Law, Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome; (ii) Diploma in Oriental Canon Law (DOCL)and (iii) Certificate in Oriental Canon Law (COCL), issued by Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram (DVK), Bangalore, India.With the degree of LOCL, one is eligible to apply for doctorate in Eastern Canon Law. It also entitles one to teach in a major seminary, or in a Faculty of Theology, and to be appointed in ecclesiastical offices for which a degree in Canon Law is required.

Contact: Director (directoriocl@dvk.in), or Registrar (registrar@dvk.in)