The purpose of this article is to discuss ecclesiastical legislative reforms that affect minors. An outline of the rights due to children begins with antiquity, addressing the situation of Christians in the Greco-Roman society of the Mediterranean basin, where Roman law was in force but not fully respected. The article refers to the Middle Ages to examine whether legislation contained legal provisions for the protection of minors. After a brief historical reference, the Authors presented the process of evolution of the Church’s legal system towards minors, dividing it into three stages. The current legal system of the Catholic Church is entering the fourth period of evolution, and therefore the State and the Church should use legal tools to protect minors and children.