Gratian (jurist)

Gratian (sometimes incorrectly referred to as Franciscus Gratianus, Johannes Gratian, or Giovanni Graziano) was a 12th century jurist who wrote the Decretum Gratiani.  He was part of the formation of Catholic canon law, and has long been acclaimed as Pater Juris Canonici (Latin, "Father of Canon Law"), a title he shares with his successor St. Raymond of Peñafort.

Quotes from Decretum Gratiani

• If one over the age of seven takes a prepubescent wife of less than seven and transfers her to his house, such a contract gives rise to the impediment of public propriety.
  • §C.3. of "Betrothals and Marriages," tit. 1 of "Decretals of Gregory IX," bk. 4 of Marriage Canons from The Decretum of Gratian, translated 1967 by John T. Noonan, Jr.