Summary: This article examines, first of all, however concisely, the two distinct ecclesiastical delicts – or, canonical crimes – established by canon. 1390, § 2 of the Codex Iuris Canonici. Following some brief references to the canonical discipline pre-Code, and to the Codex of 1917, the article goes on to analyse the structure of these crimes today. Highlighted in particular are certain questions, to which s olustion is sought that is compatible with the fundamental principles proper to the canonical penal law. The article concludes with an analysis o the penal safeguarding of the right to privacy, underlining the lacunae in the Code and the norms contained in the General Decree of the Italian Bishops’ Conference N. 1285/1999.