By code, in the field of law, is understood to be the group of systematic legal norms that allow to regulate a certain matter in a unitary way. The commercial code, to cite an example, brings together the rules and precepts that condition and control commercial operations.
When speaking of the civil code, reference is made to an ordered, systematized and unitary set of regulations contemplated by private law. It is, therefore, rules created to exercise control over the civil ties established by both natural and legal persons, whether private or public (with respect to the latter alternative, when people act as individuals).
The Codex Maximilianeus bavaricus Civilis of 1756 was the first body of laws that used the name of civil code. According to abbreviationfinder, the concept progressed over time and, from the 19th century on, most countries were promulgating their own civil codes.
The first modern civil code and one that resembles the current codes is the Code Civil promulgated by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804. Napoleon’s intention was to bring together the different aspects of the French legal tradition in a single legal body, in such a way that the legal structure of the Old Regime would be without effect.
The Napoleonic Code inspired the development of the civil codes of most European and American countries.
Beyond the differences in each case, it can be said that every civil code usually deals with the rights of people, obligations (such as contracts) and things (goods). People (personam), things (res, are divided into successions and obligations) and actions (actiones) can be distinguished in their structure.
Argentina and the role of the Catholic Church
At the time of writing this definition, Argentina is trying to stop the Catholic Church from enjoying so many privileges that they cannot be justified in any way. As a result of the return of the sessions of the National Congress and the debate about the movement to renew the Civil and Commercial Code of the country, the Argentine Coalition for a Secular State supports the idea of revising the norm that considers the Church a legal entity of a public nature and demands that its benefits be canceled.
It is of great importance to modify the article that contains the aforementioned norm, since it gives this institution the privileges of a State body, such as protecting its assets against a potential embargo. These benefits violate the principles of equality before the law, freedom of worship and conscience present in the constitution of the country and in the Human Rights treaties that are included in it.
In addition, this prerogative was introduced in the year 68, when the dictator Juan Carlos Onganía ruled, whose repudiated memory is associated with the famous night of the long sticks, the consequent brain drain and the censorship and repression that his mandate meant for Argentina.
Once this article was modified, the Church would become part of the group of people of a private nature, just like the rest of the organizations. This fact would be very significant and necessary to correct one of the many mistakes that were made during the Onganía government, although this unfair grant of rights was certainly not his worst decision.
There are many people who are doing their best to turn Argentina into a secular state; and it is that all citizens should be reflected in their constitution, and the imposition of a religion, as well as the denial of rights to certain portions of society given their sexual orientation, do nothing but generate resentment and desires to leave the country.
