Canon Law Module-II

8/17/2019 Canon Law Module-II

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Canon Law - 2

- MODULE TWO -

THE PEOPLE OF GOD

Objectives:

At the end of this course the Learnerwoud !e"

- #ade aware of the ri$hts% dutiesand for#ation of the La& #e#!ersof the Church% the Associations of theFaithfu and the Cerics

- infor#ed and understand the Church's

or$ani(ationa $rou)in$s andsu!di*isions" deaneries% )arishes%dioceses% etc+

- a!e to understand the hierarchica

structure of the Church and the roesand functions of the deacons% )astors%!isho)s% cardinas and the ,u)re#e

o#an Ponti. - a!e to /now the #eanin$ and

distincti*e features of co##unities ofConsecrated and A)ostoic Life+

Overview

Lesson 0 -A Canonica Constitution of the

Church

Lesson 2 " 1oo/ Two of the Code - The Christian Faithfu -

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Center for Continuin$ Education

-Uni*ersit& of La ,aette-11 Visayas Avenue, Quezon City Philippines



Canon Law - 2

Lesson " 1oo/ Three of the Code- Hierarchica ,tructures -

Lesson 3 " 1oo/ Four of the Code

- Consecrated and A)ostoic Life-

MODULE TWO 4 LE,,O5 0

A Canonica ConstitutionOf The Church

Po)e Pau 67% in his initia char$e to theCo##ission for e*ision of the Code in5o*e#!er% 089:% su$$ested that the& #i$ht tr&to for#uate a constitution for the church+ Hehad in #ind a ;funda#enta aw; (lex ecclesiae fundamentalis) which woud set forththe !asic structures of the church% and whichwoud for# the !asis for the codes of disci)inefor the Latin church and the Orienta churches+

The co##ission did co#)ose such a

constitutiona state#ent% and <rst circuated itfor reactions in 0898+ 7t recei*ed #i=ed re*iews+A second draft was sent around in 08>0% and itfared no !etter+ Wor/ continued% and at easttwo #ore *ersions were #ade in coa!orationwith re)resentati*es of the Orienta churches%in 08>9 and 08?@+

Man& serious o!ections were raiseda$ainst this constitutiona initiati*e" so#e fetthat it woud o!scure the fact that Christ andhis ,)irit are the true !asis of the church% thatthe sacred scri)tures are its rea constitution%and that it woud !e an o!stace to ecu#enica

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)ro$ress+ Fina&% the )roect was a!andoned%!ut #an& of the canons in the Lex EcclesiaeFundamentalis were transferred into the Code%e+$+% the ist of ri$hts and o!i$ations of the

Christian faithfu Bcc+ 2@?-22+

The foowin$ su##ar& of the 08?@ draft is)resented here% not !ecause it has an& uridicaauthorit&% !ut !ecause it o.ers an o*er*iew of the funda#enta )rinci)es of the e=ternastructures of the church+ 7t was su!tited" ;TheFunda#enta Canonica Law of the Uni*ersa

Cathoic Church+; To reiterate" it was ne*er)ro#u$ated+ Beferences are to the canons of the draft+

Title I : THE CHURCH

There is one church of Christ% the newPeo)e of God $athered !& the Ho& ,)irit% andthat church su!sists in the Cathoic Church+ The

uni*ersa church is a !od& of churches% #adeu) of )articuar churches% )ortions of God's)eo)e% with their own !isho) and )res!&terate%caed to$ether !& the ,)irit throu$h the $os)eand the Eucharist+ ,o#e of these )articuarchurches are $athered into ritua churches% withtheir own disci)ine% and others are oined into

)ro*inces and re$ions+ The )i$ri# church onearth shares the ot of hu#an/ind% and awa&ssee/s its own refor# and faithfuness to itscain$+ 7t aso stri*es that a !e one in Christ%whie res)ectin$ the *arieties of custo#s%disci)ines and for#uations of doctrine+

Chapter I:

ALL THE CHRISTIAN FAITHFUL

AT7CLE 7 " CALL A5D 75COPOAT7O5 OFPE,O5, 75 THE CHUCH

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The churchreco$ni(es the di$nit&of the hu#an )erson

and the duties andri$hts which ow fro#it+ A #ust see/ thetruth% and are caed tothe church of Christwhen the& reco$ni(e it%!ut awa&s free&+ The&ha*e a ri$ht to !e

recei*ed into the church+ Persons are incor)o-rated into the church !& !a)tis#% whichesta!ishes the# as su!ects of duties andri$hts% as on$ as the& re#ain in co##union+ Those who are oined to Christ !& !onds of faith% sacra#ents and church $o*ernance arefu& in the Cathoic co##union+ Those#e#!ers of other se)arated churches% who are!a)ti(ed and !eie*e in Christ% are reco$ni(edas sisters and !rothers in the Lord howe*er%the& are not !ound !& the aws of the CathoicChurch+ Catechu#ens are oined to the church%which cherishes the# as its own+

AT7CLE 2 " FU5DAME5TAL 7GHT, A5D

DUT7E, OF THE FA7THFUL This ist of ri$hts and o!i$ations% canons 8throu$h 23 in the draft% is su!stantia& thesa#e as canons 2@?-22 of the Code+

AT7CLE " D76E,E ,TATE, OF THE CH7,T7A5FA7THFUL

,o#e of the faithfu are% !& ordination%sacred #inisters% others ait&+ Fro# a#on$!oth% so#e are consecrated to God and thesa*in$ #ission of the church !& )rofession of the e*an$eica counses+ ,acred #inisters are!ound to nourish the )eo)e of God% so that

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to$ether a #i$ht fu< the co##and#ent of o*e+ Those who )u!ic& )rofess thee*an$eica counses wor/ for the /in$do# of God accordin$ to their cain$+ Lait&% !& reason

of their !a)tis#% are con<$ured to Christ andshare in the churchs sa*in$ #ission andfunctions+ The& $i*e witness to Christ !&directin$ te#)ora a.airs accordin$ to Gods)an+

Chapter II:

HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURES OF THECHURCH

AT7CLE 7 " THE POPE A5D THE COLLEGE OF17,HOP,

The Lord esus wied that the a)ostes%with Peter as their head% !e the )astors of hischurch+ The !isho) of o#e% successor of Peter%is the head of the coe$e of !isho)s+ He hassu)re#e and fu authorit& in the church+ The!isho)s% successors of the a)ostes% !& theirsacra#enta consecration and eccesiaco##union% #a/e u) a coe$e% which aso hassu)re#e and fu authorit& in the church+

The )o)e o!tains oce !& eection% aon$

with e)isco)a consecration+ The )o)e aso hasauthorit& o*er a of the )articuar churches% sothat he can stren$then the )ro)er authorit& of the !isho)s in those churches+ The )o)e is inco##union with the other !isho)s and with theuni*ersa church+ The !isho)s assist the )o)e inhis roe as su)re#e )astor one wa& the& dothat is in the s&nod of !isho)s% a $atherin$ of

!isho)s fro# *arious re$ions+ The cardinas andother )ersons and institutions aso assist the)o)e accordin$ to the needs of the ti#es+

1isho)s% !& their consecration% recei*esanctif&in$% teachin$ and ruin$ functions% !ut

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the& #ust e=ercise the# in co##union withthe rest of the coe$e+ The& aso share in thesoicitude for a of the churches which #a/e u)the uni*ersa church+ The coe$e of !isho)s

e=ercises its authorit& soe#n& in ecu#enicacounci% otherwise !& the united coe$ia actionof !isho)s throu$hout the word+ The )o)econ*o/es councis% )resides o*er the#% setstheir a$enda% and a))ro*es their decrees+

AT7CLE 2 " PAT7ACH, A5D MAO

ACH17,HOP,7n the Orienta churches% the )atriarchs

eno& authorit& o*er cer$& and )eo)e%incudin$ the no#ination of !isho)s% inaccordance with ancient traditions and decreesof ecu#enica councis+ Maor arch!isho)s inthe Orienta churches ha*e si#iar authorit&+

AT7CLE " 75D767DUAL 17,HOP,

7ndi*idua !isho)s who ha*e !eenentrusted with the care of )articuar churchesead the# as *icars and e$ates of Christ% andas )astors the& nourish their )eo)e% e=ercisin$the functions of teachin$% sanctif&in$ andruin$+ This )astora authorit&% which the&

recei*e !& e)isco)a consecration% is #adeo)erati*e !& their canonica #ission% whichi#)ies a)ostoic co##union+ A !isho)s% !&Christs co##and% are o!i$ed to !e soicitousfor the uni*ersa church% hence the& #ust !econcerned a!out the unit& and s)read of thefaith% co##on disci)ine% and assistance forneed& churches+

AT7CLE 3 " PE,1ITE, A5D DEACO5,

Pres!&ters share in the )riesthood of Christwith their !isho)s% and the& are #inisters of Christ% de)uted !& ordination to announce the

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word of God% to o.er sacri<ce% and to for$i*esins+ Pres!&ters share in the #inistr& of Christ!& #eans of sacred ordination and the #issionwhich the& recei*e fro# !isho)s+ The& nourish

the co##unities entrusted to the#% and $i*eaid and counse to !isho)s in carin$ for the)eo)e of God+ Pres!&ters to$ether with the!isho) for# one )res!&teriu#% dedicated to theser*ice of a )articuar church under the!isho)s direction the& are reated to oneanother in a cose sacra#enta fraternit&+

Deacons% stren$thened !& the $race of orders% assist !isho)s and )res!&ters% andser*e the )eo)e of God in #inistries of itur$&%word and charit&+

Chapter IIITHE MISSION OF THE CHURCH

The church% which is a s)iritua co##unit&of faithfu )eo)e% esta!ished on earth as ahierarchica& ordered societ&% is directed to thes)read of the /in$do# of God% with the aid of the Ho& ,)irit+ The church has its )ro)er#ission in the rei$ious s)here% and fro# that#ission it can o.er i$ht and ener$& to thehu#an co##unit& so that it #i$ht !estructured in accord with Gods aw+ The churchreco$ni(es the autono#&% aws and *aues of the te#)ora order% so on$ as the& res)ect theCreators desi$n+ The faithfu% in /ee)in$ withtheir *ocations% are to see to it that te#)oraa.airs are ordered in accord with Gods )an+ The church is not tied to an& one for# of

hu#an cuture or an& )oitica% econo#ic orsocia s&ste#% and it can !ond to$ether di*ersehu#an co##unities+

The church ac/nowed$es and defendsrei$ious i!ert& for a )ersons the& are to !efree fro# a coercion to ead their rei$ious

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i*es% )ri*ate& and )u!ic&% accordin$ to theirconsciences+ The church has a ri$ht to its ownfreedo# and inde)endence% so that it can fu<its own sa*in$ #ission it cai#s the ri$ht to i*e

in ci*i societ& accordin$ to the nor#s of Christian faith+ This rei$ious i!ert& is thefunda#enta )rinci)e of the churchsreationshi) with the state+ The church ta/es its)ace in the co##unit& of nations% and stri*esto wor/ with the# for ustice and )eace in theword+

Title II : THE FUNCTIONS OF THECHURCH

The church has a threefod function" toteach a nations% to sanctif& those who !eie*ein Christ% and to $o*ern Gods )eo)e+ The three

co#e to$ether in the eucharist% and the& are adirected to the )raise of God and thesancti<cation of hu#an/ind+ ,acred #inisters%i+e+% !isho)s% )res!&ters and deacons% ha*e aeadin$ roe in these functions% !ut a of thefaithfu% since the& share in Christs )riest&%)ro)hetica and /in$& functions in *irtue of their !a)tis# and con<r#ation% aso ha*e theirown roe in fu<in$ these three functions+

Cha)ter 7" THE TEACH75G FU5CT7O5 OF THE CHUCH

The church has the ri$ht to )reach the$os)e to a nations% to safe$uard and

announce re*eaed truth% and to state #ora)rinci)es in the socia s)here+ The )o)e andthe coe$e of !isho)s eno& infai!iit& whenthe& de<ne #atters of faith or #oras asdi*ine& re*eaed+ What the churchs teachin$authorit& )ro)oses as di*ine& re*eaed is to

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!eie*e with di*ine and Cathoic faith+ What thatauthorit& decares non-de<niti*e& deser*esrei$ious res)ect+ 1isho)s are authenticteachers of the faith% and their teachin$ aso

deser*es rei$ious res)ect+ The !od& of !isho)shas the res)onsi!iit& for announcin$ the $os)eto the whoe word indi*idua !isho)s are to)reach it to the )eo)e entrusted to the#+Pres!&ters and deacons aso ha*e the dut& to)reach the $os)e% and a the faithfu are to seethat the $os)e #essa$e is s)read+ The church

has the ri$ht to $i*e rei$ious and #orainstruction% and to s)onsor schoos+

Chapter II:THE SANCTIFYIN FUNCTION OF THE

CHURCH

The church fu<s its sanctif&in$ function!& i#)artin$ to a the +#s to hoiness entrustedto it% es)ecia& in cee!rations of the itur$&+1isho)s e=ercise the sanctif&in$ function <rst of a the& are dis)ensers of Gods #&steries and#oderators of the itur$ica ife of the )articuarchurch entrusted to the#+ Pres!&ters are

consecrated to the cee!ration of di*ineworshi) and the sancti<cation of the )eo)e%and deacons share in worshi) as we+

The faithfu aso share in this sanctif&in$function% es)ecia& when the& )artici)ateacti*e& in the itur$&+ The sacra#ents are thechief #eans of sancti<cation the churchs

hi$hest authorit& de<nes and re$uates thecee!ration of the sacra#ents+ Pra&er%es)ecia& the di*ine oce% )enance% wor/s of charit&% and the *eneration of the 1essed6ir$in and other saints% are aso #eans of sancti<cation+

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Chapter III:THE RULIN FUNCTION OF THE CHURCH

The church has !een char$ed to rue thefaithfu in the na#e of Christ the ,he)herd% sothat the& #i$ht tru& i*e as his disci)es and$ain their sa*ation+ The church has a theauthorit&% i+e+% e$isati*e% e=ecuti*e and udicia% reJuired to acco#)ish this s)iritua$o*ernance of the faithfu% !ut it #ust !e used

on& to !uid u) the )eo)e of God in truth andhoiness+ The )o)e and the coe$e of !isho)sha*e fu and su)re#e authorit& in the uni*ersachurch+ Laws #ade !& this su)re#e authorit&o!i$e the faithfu for who# the& are $i*en+ Thesu)re#e authorit& e=ercises e=ecuti*eauthorit& in the ad#inistrati*e $o*ernance of the faithfu !& issuin$ decrees and instructions%

usua& throu$h the con$re$ations of theo#an Curia+ The su)re#e authorit& nor#a&e=ercises udicia authorit& throu$h tri!unas%and an& one of the faithfu #a& a))ea a caseto the )o)e at an& ti#e+

A !isho) of a )articuar church has a theauthorit& he needs to e=ercise his )astorafunctions+ The !isho) e=ercises e$isati*eauthorit& )ersona&% !ut he can e=ercisee=ecuti*e and udicia authorit& either)ersona& or throu$h *icars+ 1isho)sso#eti#es e=ercise e$isati*e authorit&coe$ia& in s&nods% )articuar councis ande)isco)a conferences+ Pres!&ters and deaconscoo)erate with !isho)s in the e=ercise of this

$o*ernin$ function in )articuar churches%es)ecia& in councis and other oces+ Li/ewisethe faithfu #a& !e caed u)on to share in the!isho)s $o*ernin$ function in *arious oces+

The church has the ri$ht to care for thes)iritua $o*ernance of the faithfu and its own

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hierarchica order without interference fro# an&other authorit&+ 7t #ust !e free to seect and)re)are its #inisters% to na#e and transfer its!isho)s% and to co##unicate free& with the

Ho& ,ee and with the faithfu+ The churchs)onsors and or$ani(es wor/s of charit& and#erc& for the need& and sic/ as we as other/inds of #utua assistance+ And the church hasthe ri$ht to acJuire and ad#inister te#)ora)ro)ert& to !e used for worshi)% the su))ort of its #inisters% and its charita!e and a)ostoic

e.orts+

FINAL NORMS

The canons of this funda#enta aw ha*eforce in the uni*ersa church for a the faithfu+ The& )re*ai o*er a other church aws anddecrees a contrar& aws and custo#s ac/force+ Other aws are to !e inter)reted and

a))ied in accord with these canons+ On& the)o)e can decare nu aws which are contrar&to these canons% !ut tri!unas shoud notu)hod aws which are shown to !e contrar& tothe#+ On& the su)re#e authorit& can a!ro$atethese nor#s+

CRITI!UE OF THE FUN"AMENTAL LA# "RAFT

The fore$oin$ ;funda#enta aw of thechurch; was ne*er )ro#u$ated+ 7t has noauthorit& as canon aw+ 7t is o.ered here as ane=a#)e of a serious atte#)t to descri!e the!asic canonica structure of the o#an CathoicChurch% an atte#)t to draw u) a constitutionfor the church+ This atte#)t was #ade !& hi$h

authorit&% and drew hea*i& on the docu#entsof the ,econd 6atican Counci+

5o reasons were $i*en for not issuin$ thefunda#enta aw% !ut it ines see# to ha*eserious shortco#in$s+ For e=a#)e% it fais to

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con*e& the !asic *ision of the uni*ersa churchas a co##union of )articuar churches% and iti$nores co#)ete& the )ri#ar& reait& of thechurch% na#e&% oca con$re$ations of the

faithfu% i+e+% )arishes and si#iar co##unities+ The draft scarce& audes to such coe$ia!odies as the s&nod of !isho)s% conferences of !isho)s% )astora councis and )riests councis+7t is so )reoccu)ied with the e=)ression of hierarchica authorit& that so#eti#es it see#sto identif& the church with the hierarch& instead

of the faithfu% e+$+% ;the church is char$ed torue the Christian faithfu+; Howe*er% in s)ite of these shortco#in$s% the ;Funda#enta Law of the Church; #a& !e the !est tr& e*er #ade at aconstitutiona state#ent for the church+

K K K K End of Lesson 0 K K K K

It’s time for a Review and Check-up!

Please take your Activity Booklet 2 and

answer the Reviewer ui of

"odule #wo - $esson %&

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1oo/ Two of the Code- THE CH7,T7A5 FA7THFUL -

The )eo)e are the church+ The !a)ti(edand !eie*in$ )eo)e% who are in co##union

with Christ and with one another% constitute thechurch in the word+ The& are Gods chidren%the Ho& ,)irit dwes in the#% their $oa isGods /in$do#+ The Christian faithfu are% Juite)ro)er&% the <rst and fore#ost su!ect in this!oo/% ;The Peo)e of God+;

MEM$ERS

The church is #ade u) of hu#an )ersonsBcc+ 89 2@:+ Persons are incor)orated intothe church !& two factors" !a)tis# andco##union+ 7n the sacra#ent of !a)tis# #enand wo#en are re!orn as Gods chidren%con<$ured to Christ% and enter the church Bc+?38+ 1ein$ ;in co##union; with the church is

a *er& ancient wa& of e=)ressin$ that one!eon$s to and is acce)ted as a #e#!er+ Theconce)t is deri*ed fro# the ho& eucharist% thatis% !ein$ ad#itted to )arta/e% aon$ with onesfeow Christians% of the Lords ,u))er% ho&co##union+ That has awa&s #ar/ed the <nasta$e of initiation into the church co##unit&%and the si$n of !an$ a #e#!er in $ood

standin$+ 1ut there are #an& other si$ns and#utua ac/nowed$e#ents of co##union inaddition to sharin$ in the eucharist+ 7t i#)ies awhoe networ/ of ties and in/a$es+ ;Fuco##union; incudes three ee#ents" the)rofession of a co##on faith% sharin$ in

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sacra#enta cee!rations% and the acce)tanceof the churchs $o*ernance Bc+ 2@:+

Persons who are !a)ti(ed and in

co##union with the o#an Cathoic Churchare the su!ects of ri$hts and o!i$ations in thisco##unit&+ 7n other words% the& ha*e uridic)ersonhood% ocia standin$ in the church'ss&ste# of rues Bc+ 89+

A Christians Bnot ust Cathoic Christiansare descri!ed as ;Christs Faithfu;BChristidelis in the Code+ BHowe*er% the ter#

is freJuent& used to refer to Cathoics+ A!a)ti(ed Christians are incor)orated into Christand !eon$ to the Peo)e of God+ A share inChrists )ro)hetic% )riest& and ro&a roes% anda are caed to e=ercise the #ission which Godhas assi$ned the church to fu< in the word Bc+2@3+0 + This ;Great Church; of a !a)ti(ed

Christians su!sists in the o#an CathoicChurch% which is $o*erned !& the successors of Peter and the a)ostes% the )o)e and thecoe$e of !isho)s Bc+ 2@3+2+ 7n other words%the o#an Cathoic Church is one e#!odi#entof the $reater $atherin$ #ade u) of a those!a)ti(ed into Christ+

Within the Cathoic Church the faithfu are

descri!ed canonica& as either a& )ersons(laici) or as ordained #inisters (ministri sacri)Bc+ 2@>+0+ That is% those who are ;in orders%;who !eon$ to the diaconate% )res!&terate ore)isco)ate% are distin$uished fro# the *ast#aorit& of the a& #e#!ers of the church+Fro# !oth $rou)s% the ait& and the cer$&%so#e )ersons choose to )rofess the e*an$eicacounses% consecrate the#se*es to God andfoster the #ission of the church in s)ecia wa&sBc+ 2@>+2+ The& are caed ;rei$ious;(religiosi/ae). A rei$ious are either a& )ersonsor ordained #inisters+ 7n su#% there are three

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!asic canonica cate$ories of church #e#!ers"ait&% ordained #inisters% and rei$ious+

THE $ILL OF RIHTS AN" O$LIATIONS

For the <rst ti#e in the histor& of canonaw% this Code )resents a ist of the ri$hts ando!i$ations of a of the churchs #e#!ers% a&)ersons as we as #inisters Bcc+ 2@?-22+ This;!i of ri$hts; is tru& of constitutiona)ro)ortions+ That is% !ecause of their )ace#entin the Code% their uniJue histor& and intrinsic

i#)ortance% and !ecause the e$isator has sodesi$nated the#% these ri$hts and duties are of foundationa and )ri#ar& si$ni<cance+ The rights can !e su##ari(ed as foows"

0+ A of the Christian faithfu are tru& eJua intheir di$nit& and acti*it& in coo)eratin$ to!uid u) the 1od& of Christ% Bc+ 2@?+

2+ A the Christian faithfu ha*e the ri$ht toe*an$ei(e the nations Bc+ 200+

+ The Christian faithfu ha*e the ri$ht to #a/etheir needs and desires /nown to their!isho)s Bc+ 202+2+

3+ The Christian faithfu ha*e the ri$ht to #a/e

their o)inions re$ardin$ the $ood of thechurch /nown to their !isho)s and to otherchurch #e#!ers Bc+ 202++

:+ The Christian faithfu ha*e the ri$ht torecei*e the word of Cod and thesacra#ents Bc+ 20+

9+ The Christian faithfu ha*e the ri$ht to

worshi) God in their own rite and to foowtheir own for# of s)irituait& Bc+ 203+

>+ The Christian faithfu ha*e the ri$ht toasse#!e as we as to found and directassociations for charita!e or rei$ious

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)ur)oses Bc+ 20:+

?+ The Christian faithfu ha*e the ri$ht toinitiate% )ro#ote and sustain a)ostoic

acti*ities Bc+ 209+8+ The Christian faithfu ha*e the ri$ht to a

Christian education Bc+ 20>+

0@+ Those en$a$ed in the theoo$ica disci)ineseno& freedo# of inJuir& and e=)ression Bc+20?+

00+ The Christian faithfu eno& freedo# fro# a)ressure in choosin$ their state of ife Bc+208+

02+ 5o one #a& da#a$e the re)utation of others nor in*ade their )ri*ac& Bc+ 22@+

0+ The Christian faithfu ha*e the ri$ht to*indicate and defend their ri$hts in a

church court Bc+ 220+0+

03+ The Christian faithfu ha*e the ri$ht% if su##oned to ud$#ent in the church% to !e ud$ed accordin$ to canon aw% a))ied witheJuit& Bc+ 220+2+

0:+ The Christian faithfu ha*e the ri$ht not to!e )unished e=ce)t in accord with canonaw Bc+ 220++

7n the e=ercise of these ri$hts the faithfuare to !e #indfu of the co##on $ood of thechurch% the ri$hts of others% and their dutiestoward others Bc+ 22+0+ Church authorities#a& re$uate the e=ercise of these i$hts% on

account of the co##on $ood Bc+ 22+2+

The foowin$ obligations are enu#erated"

0+ The Christian faithfu are o!i$ed to#aintain co##union with the church

16



Canon Law - 2

Bc+2@8+0

2+ The Christian faithfu are to fu< theircanonica duties toward the uni*ersa

church and their )articuar church Bc+2@8+2+ The Christian faithfu are o stri*e to ead

ho& i*es and to )ro#ote the $rowth andhoiness of the church Bc+ 20@+

3+ The Christian faithfu ha*e the dut& to seethat the #essa$e of sa*ation reaches ahu#an/ind Bc+ 200+

:+ The Christian faithfu are o!i$ed to foowwhat the !isho)s decare as teachers of thefaith or deter#ine as eaders of the churchBc+ 202+0+

9+ The Christian faithfu are o!i$ed to e=)resstheir o)inions a!out the $ood of the church

to their !isho)s and feow church #e#!ersBc+ 202++

>+ The Christian faithfu are o!i$ed tocontri!ute to the needs of the church forworshi)% a)ostoic and charita!e wor/s%and the su))ort of its #inisters Bc+ 222.1).

?+ The Christian faithfu are o!i$ed to )ro#ote

socia ustice and to assist the )oor fro#their own resources Bc+ 222+2+

These ri$hts and o!i$ations% in the &earswhich ha*e inter*ened since the Code was)ro#u$ated% re#ain ar$e& un/nown+ Theri$hts ha*e not !een wide& reco$ni(ed and the#eans for *indicatin$ or defendin$ the# are%

for the #ost )art% sti ac/in$+ The& re)resentan unreai(ed $oa of the Code+

LAY RIHTS AN" "UTIES

After its #aor ;1i of i$hts%; the Code

17



Canon Law - 2

)resents a shorter ist of ri$hts andres)onsi!iities s)eci<c to a& #e#!ers of thechurch Bc+ 223-20+ The& fa into twocate$ories"

0+ The ri$hts and duties )ro)er to the a& state%e+$+% acti*e share in the a)ostoate Bc+22:+0% s)ecia roe in the te#)ora order%i+e+% ;the #ar/et)ace; Bc+ 22:+2% )arenta)rero$ati*es Bc+ 229% and )oiticares)onsi!iities Bc+ 22>+

2+ i$hts and duties reated to /nowed$e of the teachin$s of the church% e+$++ earnin$and teachin$ the theoo$ica disci)ines Bc+228% and the a!iit& to ser*e the church incertain oces% functions and ad*isor& roesBcc+ 22? 2@% to !e adeJuate& )re)aredfor such roes% and to !e decent& re#une-rated for )erfor#in$ the# Bc+ 20+

The Code ar#s the ri$ht and freedo# of association of the Christian faithfu Bc+ 20:+For #an& centuries #utitudes of associationsha*e e=isted within the church for *arious)ur)oses" charita!e% socia% itur$ica% a)osto-ic% doctrina or s)iritua+ The& ha*e used #an&na#es% e+$+% $uids% confraternities% societies%

third orders% sodai- ties% )ious unions% etc+B The ;third orders; were aiated with rei$iousco##unities (c. @ the #ae rei$ious $rou)swere traditiona& referred to as <rst orders%their fe#ae counter)art co##unities assecond orders% and the a& aiate B$rou)s asthird orders+

Associations of the faithfu rese#!erei$ious co#- #unities in so#e wa&s% !ut the&are rea& Juite di.erent+ The& are )ure&*ountar&+ The& #a& incude ordained #inistersor )rofessed rei$ious% !ut the& are #ain& a&or$ani(ations+ Their #e#!ers do not ta/e *ows

18



Canon Law - 2

of )o*ert&% chastit& and o!edience% and the& donot i*e in co##on+ The& are si#)& #e#!ersof the church who ha*e free& chosen to !andto$ether for so#e rei$ious or rei$ion-reated

)ur)ose+ ,o#e e=a#)es are" Confrater- nit& of Christian Doctrine% Christian Life Co##unitiesBfor#er& ,odaities of Our Lad&+ ,ecuarFranciscans Bfor#er& the Third Order of ,t+Francis+

The canons see/ to order and re$uate this)ethora of church-reated *ountar&

associations+ The canonica issues in re$ard tothese associations% in addition to thefunda#enta ri$hts to asse#!e and associate%ha*e to do with the e=tent that the& are reatedto the hierarch& of the church+ For e=a#)e% anassociation #a& !e entire& Cathoic in its#e#!ershi)% )ur)ose% acti*ities and s)irit% !utit #a& not use the na#e ;Cathoic; uness it

has )er#ission fro# church authorit& to do soBc+ @@+ 1esides the use of the tite ;Cathoic%;the canons descri!e *arious e*es of ociareco$nition% uridica standin$% autono#& andaccounta!iit& to church authorities+ 7n thisre$ard there are at east four de$rees orcate$ories of associations"

1. 5O5-CA5O57CAL an association which has noreco$- nition% no uridica standin$ orcanonica )ersonait&% needs no re*iew of itsstatutes% and has no o!i$ation to re)ort toor !e su!ect to *isitation !& churchauthorities+

2. P76ATE initiated and directed !& the faithfu%

reco$- ni(ed after a re*iew o its statutes%!ut without uridic )ersonait& Bi+e+% theassociation itsef is not a su!ect of canonica ri$hts and o!i$ations" how- e*er%its #e#!ers #a& oint& contract for ri$htsand o!i$ations% own )ro)ert& it is su!ect

19



Canon Law - 2

to the *i$i- ance and *isitation of eccesiastica authorit& Bcc+ 288% @:% 0@%22% 2+ A canonica associations #ustha*e statutes which s)e out their )ur-

)ose% headJuarters% conditions for#e#!ershi)% and )oic&-#a/in$ !odies Bc+@3+ A )ri*ate associations% in addition to!ein$ reco$ni(ed% can aso !e )raised orreco##ended !& church authorit& thisdoes not chan$e their uridic status Bcc+28?% 288+

+ P76ATE A5D PO,,E,,75G U7D7C PE,O5AL7TI Bcc+00- 02 which is $i*en !& churchauthorit& a reco$- ni(ed association% thesu!ect of canonica ri$hts and o!i$ations%and su!ect to *i$iance and *isitation !&church authorit& Bc+ @:+

3+ PU1L7C% esta!ished !& eccesiastica

authorit&% and $i*en uridic )ersonait& anda canonica #ission at the sa#e ti#e theassociation #ust ha*e its sta- tutesa))ro*ed% and function under the directionof church authorit& Bcc+ 02-0:% whichauthorit& na#es or con<r#s the #oderatorof the association% and can re#o*e that)erson and a))oint a care- ta/er Bc+ 0>-

0? the association #ust render anannua accountin$ of its )ro)erties andfunds Bc+ 08% and it can !e su))ressed !&church authorit& Bc+ 2@+

SACRE" MINISTERS BCc+ 22-28

Canon aw refers to deacons% )res!&ters

and !isho)s as sacred #inisters or cerics+Ordained #inisters% athou$h the& are <r#&situated a#on$ and within Bnot se)arate fro#or a!o*e the )eo)e of God% are distin$uishedcanonica& fro# a& )ersons and e*en a&#inisters+

20



Canon Law - 2

The three ordained #inistries areen*isioned as cor)orate $rou)s% i+e+% casses%

$rades or ran/s(ordines). That is%

the s&#!oic a&in$on of hands atordination #eansthe ad#ission to anordo, the diaconate%)res!&- terate ore)isco)ate+ 7t

si$ni<es theentrance orinitiation into a ;ho& order; of sacred #inis-ters+ This cor)orate conce)t te#)ers an& notionof ordination as )ersona )ri*ie$e+ A #inistr&is ser*ice Bthe #eanin$ of ministrare, and of the Gree/% diaonein), and ordination #eansinscri)tion into one of the ser*in$ casses+

The canonica tradition a!hors a #inisteriaoner% i+e+% an unattached or free-oatin$ ceric+Hence% e*er& ordained #inister #ust !econnected% tied in to a )articuar churchBdiocese or rei$ious institute+ The canonica

ter#s for this in/a$e areincardination Bfro# theLatin cardo, hin$e% hence it#eans hin$ed on% i/e adoor on a a#! or inscri)-tion Bc+ 29:+ Thisattach#ent canonica&anchors and identitiese*en% ordained #inister+

Ordained #inisters are aso caed ;cerics%;

#e#- !ers of the cerica caste or cass% thecer$&+ The ter# co#es fro# the Gree/ wordleros, which #eans ot or )ortion or share+ 7trefers to those who ha*e the Lord for theirinheritance% i/e the )riest& tri!e of 7srae% theLe*ites BDt 0?+ The sa#e e=)ression was used

21



Canon Law - 2

when Matthias was chosen !& ot to recei*e udas share in #inistr& BActs 0%0:-29+ Thecerica state is a uridica cate$or& in canonaw+ 7t is entered !& ordination to the diaconate

(diaonia, ser*ice% a suita!e na#e for the entr&)oint to a ife of ser*ice c+ 299+0+ 7t carrieswith it certain )rero$ati*es and o!i$ations Bcc+2>-28% and it can !e ost or one can !ede)ri*ed of it Bcc+ 28@-28% e*en thou$h theorder itsef is )er#anent+

,acra#enta ordination% then% carries with

it three distinct canonica e.ects+ The ordained)erson is si#u- taneous& inducted into"

B0 the order of diaconate% )res!&terate ore)isco)ate

B2 the diocese or rei$ious co##unit& as aceric% !& incardination

B the cerica state% !& #eans of diacona

ordination+

The Codes section on ,acred Ministers Bcc+22- 28 does not o.er a fu% we-rounded)icture of the ife and #inistr& of the ordained+ The #aor res)onsi!iities of these /e&#inisteria )ersonne #ust !e sou$htesewhere% for e=a#)e% in the sections on

)astors% on )reachin$% on the sacra#ents% onthe ad#inistration of church )ro)ert&% and soon+ These canons on ,acred Ministers outineon& the !asic structures of the cerica state+Four s)eci<c issues are treated in the fourcha)- ters of this section" 0 the for#ation of #inisters Bthe focus here is e=cusi*e& on)re)aration for the )riesthood in diocesan orre$iona se#inaries% 2 the )rocess of entranceinto the cerica state and transfers within it% the o!i$ations and ri$hts of sacred #inisters%and 3 the oss of the cerica state+

22



Canon Law - 2

FORMATION OF CLERICS BCc+ 22-293

Under this tite one woud e=)ect to <ndthe nor#s for the )re)aration of deacons%

)res!&ters and !isho)s% since a three of these$rou)s are sacred #inisters or cerics+ ,uch isnot the case+ The entire cha)ter treats of thefor#ation of #en for the )res!&terate% with thee=ce)tion of one on the for#ation of )er#anentdeacons Bc+ 29+ There is no $uidance in canonaw for the )re)aration of !isho)s+

These canons $i*e the !asic nor#s for theesta!- ish#ent% su))ort and ad#inistration of diocesan or re$iona se#inaries+ The& incudee=)icit directions for the *arious co#)onentsof the se#inar& )ro$ra#" s)iritua% acade#icand )astora+ The canons detai the authorit&structure in the se#inar& B!isho)% rector%director of studies% s)iritua director% and the

Juai<cations for instructors+ Man& of thecanons are ta/en fro# the decree of the ,econd6atican Counci on )riest& for#ation% !"tatamtotius. This docu#ent shoud !e consuted forfurther !ac/$round+

7n 08>@% after the counci and !efore there*ised Code% the Con$re$ation for CathoicEducation issued #ore detaied nor#s for)riest& for#ation% #he $asic %lan for %riestl& Formation. Each nationa conference of !isho)swas to for#uate and issue a nationa )ro$ra#for )riest& for#ation !ased on the $asic %lan. The 5ationa Conference of Cathoic 1isho)sissued the %rogram for %riestl& Formation forthe church in the United ,tates in 08>0+

e*ised editions were )u!ished in 08>9 and08?2+ Man& other !isho)s conferences too/si#iar actions+ The $asic %lan and the nationa)ro$ra#s )ro*ide #ore detaied anda))ro)riate& ada)ted $uideines for )riest&)re)aration than do these canons of the Code+

23



Canon Law - 2

INCAR"INATION AN" TRANSFER OF CLERICS BCc+29:-2>2

E*er& sacred #inister #ust !e accounta!eto the church throu$h the aiation caedincardination+ Each deacon% )res!&ter or !isho)#ust !e incardinated into a )articuar churchBdiocese or rei$ious institute Bc+ 29:+ Thisoccurs canonica& at the ordination to thediaconate Bc+ 299+

Deacons and )res!&ters #a& transfer theiraia- tion fro# one urisdiction to another% !uton& under the conditions which are carefu&)rescri!ed in canons 29>-2>2+ The )rocessreJuires that e=cardination Bdisaiation fro#one diocese or rei$ious co##unit& !esi#utaneous with incardination into another+ The ceric is ne*er to !e unattached or

;headess; Bace)haous+

O$LIATIONS AN" RIHTS OF CLERICS BCc+ 2>-2?8

To ser*e the church as an ordained #inistercarries with it serious i#)ications+ Pro#inenta#on$ the# are o!edience to church authorit&

and )ersona e=e#)arit& of ife+ This dedicatedser*ice has aso traditiona& i#)ied certain)rero$ati*es+ These canons% ancient and#odern% outine the nor#s for cerica ife+

Cerica duties and o!i$ations"

0+ Ordained #inisters o!i$e the#se*es to

o!e& the e$iti#ate directions of the )o)e%their !isho) or rei$ious su)erior% and tounderta/e and fu< the assi$n- #ents the&are $i*en Bcc+ 2>0-2>3+

2+ Ordained #inisters are not hoier than a&

24



Canon Law - 2

)ersons% !ut the& are hed to s)ecia #odesof Christian stri*in$ !ecause of theirdedication to the ser*ice of Gods )eo)e+ The canons outine the for#s of this e=e#-

)ar& ifest&e"

Ba The& are to )ursue hoiness !& fu<in$the duties of their )astora #inistr&% !&nourishin$ the#se*es fro# thescri)tures and the eucharist% !&)ra&in$ the itur$& of the hours% and !&$i*in$ ti#e to #enta )ra&er Bc+ 2>9+

B! The& are to o!ser*e continence andcei!ac& Bc+ 2>>+ Continence #eansrefrainin$ fro# $enita se=ua acti*it&%and cei!ac& #eans re#ainin$un#arried+ The canon% therefore%o!i$es cerics Be=ce)t #arrieddeacons not to #arr& or ha*e se=ua

reations+ BCf+ cc+ 0@> and 0@30+ on)rereJuisites for ordination% and cc+083 and 08: on )enaties for*ioations+

Bc The& are to cuti*ate a si#)icit& of ifeand a*oid an& a))earance of u=ur& Bc+2?2+

+ ,acred#inisters areto continuetheireducation% inorder todee)- entheir unders-

tandin$ andi#- )ro*etheir )as-tora s/is Bc+2>8+

25



Canon Law - 2

3+ The& are to #aintain residence in thediocese or )ace of assi$n#ent Bc+ 2?+0+

:+ The& are to wear eccesiastica attire in

/ee)in$ with oca nor#s and custo#s Bc+2?3+

9+ ,acred #inisters are to a*oid acti*itiesun!eco#in$ to the cerica state% ands)eci<ca& the& are not to assu#e )u!icoces which in*o*e the e=ercise of ci*i)ower Bc+ 2?: the& are not to conduct a

!usiness or trade Bc+ 2?9+ and the& are notto ta/e acti*e roes in )oitica )arties ora!or unions Bc+ 2?>+2+

>+ ,acred #inisters are to foster )eace andhar#on& !ased on ustice Bc+2?>+0

CLERICAL RIHTS AN" %REROATI&ES

7+ Ordained #inisters can o!tain eccesiasticaoces which reJuire the POWE of orders orthe )ower of $o*ernance Bc+ 2>3+0+

2+ The& ha*e a ri$ht a decent re#uneration%one which wi )ro*ide for their needs in i-heath and od a$e Bc+2?0% and the& ha*e

the ri$ht to an a))ro)riate ti#e for annua*acation Bc+2?+2+ Ordained #inisters #a& !e e=e#)t fro#

#iitar& ser*ice and other )u!ic ci*i ocesand duties% de)endin$ on oca ci*i aw Bc+2?8+

LOSS OF THE CLERICAL STATE BCc+ 28@-28

Loss of the cerica state #eans that anordained #inister is de)ri*ed of aeccesiastica oces and functions% theo!i$ations Be=ce)t that of cei!ac& and ri$htsof sacred #inisters% and it #eans that he

26



Canon Law - 2

re*erts to the uridica status of a a& )erson inthe church+ A dis)ensation fro# the o!i$ationof cei!ac& is a se)arate #atter% !ut it too can!e $ranted !& the )o)e+

A )erson oses the status of ceric in one of three wa&s"

0+ !& an ocia decaration that his ordinationwas in*aid% i+e+% nu and *oid

2+ !& a dis#issa i#)osed as a )enat& for as)eci<c and serious canonica cri#e% e+$+%

atte#)ted #arria$e% certain se=uao.enses in*o*in$ #inors% soicitation inconfession Bcf+ cc+ 093+2% 09>% 0>@+0%0?>% 083+0+ 08:+0 2+

+ !& the ad#inistrati*e action of the Ho& ,ee%that is% a rescri)t $ranted at the reJuest of the ceric hi#sef or !& so#eone ese% e+$+%

his !isho) or rei$ious su)erior+A three of these )rocedures #ust incude

due )rocess% for e=a#)e% a#)e o))ortunit&for fair hearin$+

The canons do not )ro*ide for resi$nationor renunciation of #inisteria status+

K K K K End of Lesson 2 K K K K

Check-up time a'ain!



"odule #wo - $esson 2&

27



Canon Law - 2

28



Canon Law - 2

MODULE TWO 4 LE,,O5

H7EACH7CAL ,TUCTUE,

The o#an Cathoic Church is ahierarchica church+ ;Hierarch&; co#es fro# theGree/ words hieros, sacred% and arche, rue or)ower+ Howe*er% the ter# does not i#)&do#ination% for esus hi#sef for!ade that an&of his disci)es shoud ;ord it o*er; othersa#on$ the# eaders are to ser*e the others BMt2@%2:-2? M/ 0@%32- 3: L/ 22%2:-2>+ The,econd 6atican Counci reiterated that thosewho ha*e !een $i*en hierarchica authorit& are

the ser*ants of their !rothers and sisters(Lumen 'entium,0?+ This )art of our essonsets forth the ordered structure of the churchsco##unities and oces+

HIHEST AUTHORITY:%O%E AN" COLLEE OF $ISHO%S

The o#an Cathoic 1isho) of o#e is)ro!a!& the !est /nown and #ost )resti$iousrei$ious eader in the word+ Within the churchthe )o)e s)ea/s and acts with a))arent&uni#ited authorit&+ This st&e of )a)a acti*it&$i*es the i#)ression that the )a)ac& is ana!soute #onarch&% that the o#an CathoicChurch is headed !& an eected /in$+ This

)erce)tion% whie understanda!e% is serious&#ista/en+ The hi$hest authorit& in the o#anCathoic Church is coe$iate% not #onarchica+ The coe$e of !isho)s% with the )o)e at itshead% is the su!ect of su)re#e authorit& in thechurch+

29



Canon Law - 2

The anao$&% of course% is that of thetwe*e a)ostes with Peter in their #idst% achosen !& esus+ ust as the& for#ed a sin$e

coecti*e !od& or coe$e% so do the !isho)s%the successors of the a)ostes% to$ether withthe o#an )onti.% the successor of Peter+ Theconce)t of coe$iate res)onsi!iit& for thechurch at the hi$hest e*e is /e& !ecause of its!i!ica warrant and !ecause it reects thenature of the uni*ersa church as a co##unionof churches (communio ecclesiarum). The

!isho)s of those oca churches share with the1isho) of o#e in a co##on )astora soicitudefor the entire church+ The& a )artici)ate% as acoe$e% in teachin$ and $o*ernin$ the church+

ROMAN %ONTIFF

7n the Code% the

)referred tite for the)o)e is ;o#anPonti.+; Ponti. Bfro# "ans, !rid$e% andfacere, to #a/e% #eantone who !rid$ed thechas# !etween the$ods and hu#an/ind

is the ancient ter#used for the )riest inthe o#an E#)ire the%ontifex aximus wasthe hi$h )riest in )a$ano#e+ The tite wasa))ied to !isho)s inthe ear& church% and

$radua& its use wasreser*ed to the 1isho)of o#e+ The othercanonica tite for the )o)e is ;,u)re#e Ponti.(ummus %ontifex). The na#e #ost co##on&

30



Canon Law - 2

used% ;)o)e%; co#es fro# the Gree/ "a""usand Latin "a"a, father% and is the source for the#ore for#a tite+ ;Ho& Father+;

The )o)e of o#e is one of Cathoicis#s#ost co#)ein$ s&#!os+ Within theco##union of the churches% which is theuni*ersa church% the )a)a oce ser*es as auniJue si$n% center and $uarantor of unit&+ Thesuccessor of Peter is char$ed to nourish%su))ort% encoura$e and unif& his feow faithfuChristians+ Besus ordered Peter to feed his oc/

and stren$then his disci)es+ n 20%0:-0> L/22%2+ 1ut the canons of the Code sa& itte of these centra )astora res)onsi!iities+ 7nstead%the& accord to the o#an )onti. ane=traordinar& )ano)& of uridica )owers andres)onsi!iities+ The canons de<ne )a)aauthorit&% )ri#ac&% and a )ethora of )rero$ati*es+

AUTHORITY ' The ori$inatin$ identit& of the)o)e is the 1isho) of the church at o#e+ 7n*irtue of that sacra#enta oce% he is thesuccessor of Peter% the head of the coe$e of !isho)s% and the )astor of the uni*ersa churchon earth+ Canon 0 descri!es his authorit& asordinar& Bco#es with the oce% su)re#eBthere is none hi$her% fu Bco#)ete% i##edi-ate B#a& reate direct& to an& )erson in thechurch without inter#ediaries% uni*ersaBe=tendin$ to a )arts of the church% andstates that he #a& e=ercise it free&+

This state#ent of )a)a authorit& #a/es itsound a!soute% !ut in fact it is not+ 7t is i#ited

!& #an& factors" the re*eaed word of God% theChristian tradition% the nature and )ur)oses of the church% the roe of the )a)a oce% thenatura aw% the coe$ia reationshi) with other!isho)s+ and so on+ ,o% e*en thou$h thecanonica descri)tion of the )o)es )ower is

31



Canon Law - 2

#a=i#a% )erha)s e*en si$ht& e=a$$erated%that authorit& in reait& is certain& notuntra##eed+

%RIMACY ' Canon su##ari(es thereation- shi) of the )o)e to the churches of theo#an Cathoic co##union+ He is #uch #orethan a <rst a#on$ eJuas That is% in addition to)ossessin$ su)re#e authorit& o*er theuni*ersa church% he aso has authorit& in eachand e*er& one of the )articuar churches which

#a/e u) the uni*ersa church+ His authorit&does not re)ace or nuif& that of the oca!isho) in his diocese% !ut it co#)e#ents it+ 7tis intended to ar# and )reser*e the !isho)sauthorit&+ Pri#ac& $i*es the )o)e the )ower tointer*ene in the ife of the oca church whene=ce)tiona circu#stances #a/e it necessar&+ 7nthis sense it i#)ies a ;reser*e )ower; to !e

used in e#er$enc& situations+7n *irtue of his headshi) of the coe$e of

!isho)s there is a )resu#)tion that the )o)eawa&s acts in co##union with a of the other!isho)s+ And% since he is the hi$hest authorit&%the ;court of ast resort%; there is no a))eafro# his decision% no ;$oin$ o*er his head;+ Heis su!ect to no ones ud$#ent+

%REROATI&ES' The canons sa& that the)o)e"

- )ossesses infai!e teachin$ authorit&% isthe su)re#e )astor and teacher of a thefaithfu

- su)er*ises the sacred itur$&% de<nes whatis *aid and icit in sacra#entacee!rations ;su)re#e church authorit&;

- is the su)re#e ud$e for the whoe Cathoicword% an& case #a& !e a))eaed to hi# atan& ti#e

32



Canon Law - 2

- the su)re#e ad#inistrator and steward of a the churchs te#)ora $oods

- has the ri$ht to send e$ates to )articuar

churches and to so*erei$n nations- recei*es the o!edience of a cerics and

rei$ious

- con*o/es and contros ecu#enica councis

- re*iews the decrees of )articuar councisand e)isco)a conferences !efore the&can !e )ro#u$ated

- a))oints or con<r#s a !isho)s

- recei*es a re)ort on the state of eachdiocese fro# the !isho) e*er& <*e &ears

- can i#it the authorit& of !isho)s !&reser*in$ certain #atters to hi#sef

- reser*es to hi#sef dis)ensations fro#

cerica cei!ac&% fro# non consu##ated#arria$es% fro# irre$uarities for sacredorders% and certain #arria$e i#)edi#ents

- esta!ishes feast da&s or da&s of )enancefor the whoe church Nsu)re#eeccesiastica authorit&

- a))ro*es irrei$ious co##unities and an&

constitutions can e=e#)t rei$iousinstitutes fro# the authorit& of oca!isho)s+

These canonica )owers and )rero$ati*esBand there are #an& #ore than those istedhere ha*e accrued to the )a)ac& o*ercenturies+ To$ether the& re)resent a

dra#atica& a$$randi(ed oce% a centra-i(ation of authorit& which is tru& re#ar/a!e+One reason is that the )o)e functions as the)rinci)a rue-#a/in$ authorit&% the su)re#ee$isator+ One resut is that the )o)e is *iewedas the ;uni*ersa !isho)+; The Christian i*es of

33



Canon Law - 2

ordinar& Cathoics a o*er the word areinuenced #uch #ore !& the )o)e than !&their own !isho)+

The )o)e o!tains his oce !& #eans oftwo e*ents" 0 his ordination as a !isho)%and2 his acce)tance of his eection !& the

coe$e of cardinas+

The custo# has !een for the )o)e to ser*e

for ife% !ut he can resi$n the oce if hechooses to do so+

O!*ious&% the )o)e reJuires #an&assistants to carr& out his #an& duties+1isho)s% cardinas and #an& other )ersons andoces )ro*ide such assistance+ The *arious$rou)s which #a/e u) the o#an curia arediscussed !eow+ 7t is i#)ortant to note that

these assistants carr& out their s)eci<c tas/s%within their canonica i#its% in the na#e of and!& the authorit& of the )o)e+ The ines andi#its of that authori(ation are so#eti#esdicut to discern and% as in an& !ureaucrac&%esser ocias tend to e=)and their authorit&+

COLLEE OF $ISHO%S

The coe$e of !isho)s% which is thesuccessor !od& to the coe$e of the a)ostes% isthe su!ect of su)re#e and fu )ower in theuni*ersa church+ This #eans that the coe$ehods co#)ete and )ree#inent authorit& withinthe church% uridic and #ora authorit& as weas )astora soicitude+ The coe$e is an or$anic%

ani#ated reait&% not a #ere cate$or& of oce-hoders+ 7t is the !est e=)ression of theco##union of the churches% which constitutesthe uni*ersa church+ The coe$e of !isho)se#!odies the stron$ !onds of faith% o*e%

34



Canon Law - 2

sacra#ent% and order which tie the CathoicChurch to$ether+

1isho)s !eon$ to the coe$e in *irtue of

their e)isco)a ordination% in which the& recei*ethe funess of the sacra#ent of orders% andtheir co##union with the other #e#!ers of the coe$e and the )o)e+ The 1isho) of o#eis a #e#!er of the coe$e% !ut he is aso itshead% o)erati*e center% and usuas)o/es)erson+

The coe$e of !isho)s constitutes thehi$hest authorit& (magisterium) of the church+7t has the dut& of )rocai#in$ the $os)e withres)ect to the uni*ersa church+ The coe$e)ossesses infai!e teachin$ authorit&% !othwhen $athered in an ecu#enica counci andwhen dis)ersed throu$hout the word% as on$as its #e#!ers a$ree on what is to !e

de<niti*e& hed as true church doctrine+ Whennot de<nin$ doctrine% the coe$e sti e=ercisesauthentic teachin$ authorit&+

The decrees and constitutions issued !&the coe$e Bsuch as those issued !& the ,econd6atican Counci are to !e o!ser*ed !& a theChristian faithfu+ The coe$e of !isho)s is to

)ro#ote and direct the )artici)ation of Cathoics in the ecu#enica #o*e#ent% whose)ur)ose is to restore Christian unit&+ Aso% it isthe res)onsi!iit& of the coe$e to direct andcoordinate the #issionar& e.ort of the church%which is )art of its *er& nature+

The coe$e of !isho)s acts as a !od& #ostdra#atica& and e.ecti*e& when it is $atheredin ecu#enica counci then it e=ercises its au-thorit& in a soe#n #anner+ 1ut it acts witheJua authorit& when its #e#!ers throu$houtthe word ta/e united action% as on$ as thataction is initiated or acce)ted !& the )o)e+

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Canon Law - 2

Ecu#enica councis are not freJuente*ents on& twent&-one ha*e ta/en )ace in thehistor& of the church+ ,ince there are now o*erthree thousand #e#!ers of the coe$e of

!isho)s% $atherin$ the# in counci is !othcu#!erso#e and e=)ensi*e+ Howe*er% councisare *i*id s&#!os of the unit& and uni*ersait&of the church% and ha*e #ar/ed crucia turnin$)oints in the churchs ourne& throu$h histor&+

A of the #e#!ers of the coe$e of !isho)s ha*e the ri$ht and the dut& to ta/e )art

in such $enera councis+ Canonica& the )o)enow has a#ost co#)ete contro o*er councis"he aone can ca one+ He )resides% he aonecan sus)end or disso*e a counci% and he #usta))ro*e its decrees+ 1ut councis so#eti#esta/e on a d&na#ic ife of their own% under thei#)etus of the Ho& ,)irit% and the resuts arenot awa&s )redicta!e or )ro$ra##a!e+

SYNO" OF $ISHO%S

The word ;s&nod; co#es fro# the Gree/%s&nodos, #eanin$ a co#in$ to$ether% a#eetin$+ 7t is one of the ter#s% aon$ with;counci+; used for #eetin$s of eaders of thechurch fro# the *er& eariest ti#es+

The internationa s&nod of !isho)s is are)resentati*e $atherin$ of the !isho)s of theword% in contrast to the tota #e#!ershi) of the coe$e of !isho)s which con*enes at anecu#enica counci+ The re)resentati*e !isho)sto a s&nod are% for the #ost )art% eected !& thenationa conferences of !isho)s a o*er the

word+ Most of the s&nods hed since the ,econd6atican Counci ha*e consisted of a!out twohundred !isho)s Band ten su)eriors of rei$iousco##unities+ The #eetin$s ha*e !een hed ino#e a!out e*er& three &ears% for three or fourwee/s each% and ha*e treated to)ics such as

36



Canon Law - 2

e*an$ei(ation% catechetics% the fa#i&% recon-ciiation% the ait&% and the #inisteria)riesthood+

The Code $i*es a threefod )ur)ose for thes&nod of !isho)s"0 to foster cose ties !etween the !isho)s

and the )o)e%

2 to ad*ise the )o)e on #atters of faith%#oras and church disci)ine% and

to consider the acti*ities of the church

in the word The s&nod of !isho)s is a #odern re*i*a of

a *er& ancient )ractice+ ,uch dei!erati*e$atherin$s of !isho)s% )atterned on the Counciof erusae# de)icted in Acts 0:% often #et inthe ear& centuries of the churchs ife+ O*er the&ears% as the church $rew and the )a)a oceassu#ed #ore and #ore authorit&% this s&nodaacti*it& waned+ 7t was reinstituted at the,econd 6atican Counci !ecause the !isho)sand the )o)e saw the *aue of #eetin$ #orefreJuent& and in s#aer nu#!ers !etween thereati*e& rare ecu#enica councis+

The s&nod% athou$h it is cear&re)resentati*e of the coe$e of !isho)s% does

not act with the su)re#e and fu authorit& of the coe$e+ 7t usua& considers to)ics and$i*es o)inions a!out the#% !ut does not decideJuestions or issue decrees+ The )o)e can as/the s&nod to act dei!erati*e&% that is% todecide #atters authoritati*e&% !ut thus far hehas not+ The s&nod is *iewed as ad*isor& to the)o)e+

7n fact% the s&nod is co#)ete& under thecontro of the )o)e+ He con*enes it when andwhere he wishes% he rati<es the seection of the!isho)s who attend% he )ic/s the to)ics andsets the a$enda% he )resides% and he concudes

37



Canon Law - 2

or disso*es the #eetin$s+

,&nods can ta/e *arious for#s% i+e+% $eneraor s)ecia% ordinar& or e=traordinar&% and the

;#i=; of #e#!er !isho)s seected for eachfor# di.ers so#ewhat+ Those who head theoces of the o#an curia are usua& incuded+ The s&nod has a )er#anent secretariat% with a$enera secretar& and a counci of !isho)s%which has certain i#ited functions !etweens&nods+ The #ore co#)ete rues $o*ernin$ thes&nod of !isho)s can !e found in the Canon

La* +igest, , ??-8% and >%2-2>%?-30+

COLLEE OF CAR"INALS

The coe$e of cardinas is the $rou) of !isho)s that eects the )o)e+ 1e&ond thatcritica function% the tite of cardina Bfro# the

Latin% canto. hin$e is ar$e& honori<c% e*enthou$h it is considered the hi$hest di$nit& inthe Western church after the )a)a oce+BPatriarch of the eastern ritua churches areincuded in the coe$e of cardinas% !ut theirhistoric and canonica authorit& is di.erent and$reater than that of cardinas+

This s)ecia coe$e assists the )o)ecoecti*e& when caed to$ether for that)ur)ose Bwhich rare& ha))ens% andindi*idua& !& ser*in$ in the *arious oces of the o#an curia and in s)ecia assi$n#ents+ There are usua& a!out one hundred and thirt&cardinas+ On& those under ei$ht& &ears of a$e#a& *ote in the )a)a eections+

The coe$e of cardinas has a histor& asrich and coorfu as the !riiant red si/ ro!eswhich $o with the )resti$ious tite+ Certaininuentia cerics in and around o#e in theear& Midde A$es were caed cardinas+ The&

38



Canon Law - 2

ser*ed as counseors of the )o)e% i/e a ca!inetor senate+ Their #eetin$s were caed;consistories; Bfro# consistere, to stand with+7#)ortant decisions on #atters of )oic& were

co##on& ta/en ;in consistor&+; The roe of these ;)rinces of the church; was so $reat in#edie*a ti#es that so#e authors consideredthe coe$e of cardinas to !e of di*ineinstitution in fact% the successors of thea)ostes+

7n the ee*enth centur& the coe$e was

entrusted with the dut& of eectin$ the new)o)e+ Their eectora #eetin$s !eca#e /nownas ;conca*es; Bfro# cum cla-e, with a /e&when% in the &ear 02>0% in order to force the#to #a/e a choice after a dea& of three &ears%the )eo)e oc/ed the# in their #eetin$ )aceunti the& decided on a candidate+ The cardinasare sti oc/ed in for these )ra&erfu

dei!erations in order to a*oid an& outsideinuences on their decision+

Cardinas are free& chosen !& the )o)e%and assi$ned to one of three ran/s Bof #ost&historica si$ni<cance in the coe$e+ Thosechosen are usua& arch!isho)s of #aorarchdioceses throu$hout the word or

)ro#inent #e#!ers of the o#an curia+7ndi*idua&% the& are often Juite inuentia inchurch a.airs% e*en thou$h the& do not eno&#uch canonica authorit& as cardinas% e=ce)tthat of !ein$ the )a)a eectors+ The& do ha*ethe )ri*ie$e of hearin$ confessions an&wherein the word and of !ein$ )ersona& e=e#)tfro# the authorit& of oca !isho)s+

The canons of the Code on cardinas aresur)risin$& detaied% !ut the nor#s which$o*ern the coe$e when the )a)a throne is*acant and when it co#es to$ether to eect anew )o)e are found in e=Juisite detai Bdown to

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Canon Law - 2

the fodin$ of the !aots in Canon La* +igest +

THE ROMAN CURIA

The o#an curia is the coecti*e na#e forthe co#)e= of secretariats% con$re$ations%tri!unas% councis and oces which assist the)o)e in the e=ercise of his )astora oce of ser*ice to the churches which #a/e u) theo#an Cathoic co##union+

The na#e ;curia; is deri*ed fro# curare, to

ta/e care of% and in o#an ti#es the curia wasthe !uidin$ where the senate #et+ 7n theMidde A$es the )a)a court ca#e to !e caedthe Curia omana.

The curia toda& is the ar$e ad#inistrati*ea))aratus which carries on the ordinar&!usiness of the churchs centra oce+ 7tsa$encies are headed !& cardinas% and sta.ed!& #an& hundreds of !ureaucrats% #ost of who# are !isho)s and )riests+

Within the curia% the ,ecretar& of ,tate isthe coordinatin$ oce with authorit& o*er !oththe churchs interna and e=terna a.airs+ Thereare nine con$re$ations Bthe na#e con$re$ationrefers to the co##ittee of cardinas and

!isho)s which heads each oce% each withres)onsi!iit& for an area of the churchs ife%e+$+% doctrine% !isho)s% worshi) and sacra-#ents% e*an$ei(ation% cer$&% rei$ious% and soon+ There are aso three udicia !odies% that is%tri!unas or courts% se*era councis for *ariouscauses e+$+% for a&)ersons% the fa#i&% usticeand )eace+ Christian unit&% #i$rants% etc+% andoces for the ad#inistration of funds and)ro)erties+

The Code often uses the ter#s ;A)ostoic,ee; or ;Ho& ,ee; to refer to the )a)a oce+BThe word ;see; co#es fro# the Latin sedes,

40



Canon Law - 2

seat% and it #eans the seat or )ace of authorit&% as A#ericans refer to the count& seator a seat in Con$ress+ These two ter#s incude!oth the o#an )onti. and the institutions of

the o#an curia Bc+ 90+ This can cause so#econfusion when it co#es to canonica rue-#a/in$+ The curia a$encies are ad#inistrati*eBe=ce)t for the tri!unas% which are udiciaand% athou$h the& act in the na#e of and !&the authorit& of the )o)e% the& do not ha*ee$isati*e authorit&+ The& issue instructions%

decarations% directories% res)onses and thei/e% !ut the& cannot enact aws or issue$enera decrees without the s)eci<c a))ro*a of the )o)e+

The o#an curia has !een reor$ani(edthree ti#es in this centur&% in 08@?% 089> and08?8+ The re$uations which current& $o*ernits acti*ities can !e found in da "ostolicae

edis, ?@% ?30-802+ Each a$enc& of the curiaaso has its own interna rues+ The na#es andaddresses of the a$encies and the na#es of theocias of each can !e found in a director&caed the nnuario %onticio, )u!ished each&ear !& the 6atican Press+

LEATES OF THE ROMAN %ONTIFF

The )o)e% as the hi$hest authorit& of thechurch% has the ri$ht to send )er#anentre)resentati*es to the )articuar churches in*arious nations and to the $o*ern#ents of those nations as we+ These di)o#ats are notthe )o)es )ersona e#issaries nor the a$ents

of 6atican Cit& ,tate+ The& are the ociare)resentati*es of the head of the o#anCathoic Church+ The& are reco$ni(ed as such ininternationa aw+ 7t is a uniJue )rero$ati*e of the Cathoic Church+

This s&ste# of )er#anent di)o#atic

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Canon Law - 2

re)resentati*es !e$an in the Midde A$es% andde*eo)ed when the )o)e was a #aor )a&er inEuro)ean )oitics+ The )a)ac& had territoriares)onsi!iit& for the area of centra 7ta& /nown

as the )a)a states u) unti 0?>@+ Toda& theHo& ,ee has di)o#atic reations with a!outone hundred and twent& countries% and#aintains e$ates to the churches in se*era#ore+ The Ho& ,ee aso sends dee$ates oro!ser*ers to internationa !odies% such as theUnited 5ations% the Euro)ean Co##unit& and

the Or$ani(ation of A#erican ,tates% and to#an& internationa #eetin$s and conferences+

The )a)a e$ate who has ocia reationswith !oth the church and the $o*ern#ent of acountr& is caed a ;nuncio; Bfro# nuntius,#essen$er+ One who reates on& to the churchand is not ocia& reco$ni(ed !& the ci*i$o*ern#ent is caed a ;dee$ate+;

With re$ard to the oca churchesBdioceses% the e$ates stri*e to stren$then the!onds of unit& with the Ho& ,ee the& re)ort onthe condition of the oca churches% ad*ise their!isho)s and the conference of !isho)s% su$$estcandidates for new !isho)s% and )ro#ote )eaceand ecu#enis#+

With re$ard to the $o*ern#ents of states%the )a)a e$ates foster reations !etween thestate and the Ho& ,ee% and% in consutationwith the !isho)s of the countr&% tr& to wor/ outissues of church-state reations% e+$+% thechurchs freedo# to found schoos% #aintain!uidin$s and )ro)er&% su))ort cer$&% etc+

The s)ecia canonica re$uations fore$ates of the o#an )onti. are found inCanon La* +igest, >% 2>>- 2?3+

"IOCESES AN" $ISHO%S

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Canon Law - 2

"IOCESES

Cathoics e=)erience church at di.erent

e*es+ We are #ost conscious of our own)arish% !ase co##unit&% or the oca !and of !eies 7T, with who# we worshi) and associate+1ut we are aso aware of the church in our cit&or count&% the surroundin$ )arishes+ And we/now that we are )art of a diocese% headed !&a !isho)+ We aso thin/ of the Cathoic Churchin our countr&% as ha*in$ a certain identit& and

*arious acti*ities% a nationa church+ And%<na&% we are *er& #uch aware of !eon$in$ toa wordwide church% one headed !& the )o)e of o#e+

7n canon aw% the diocese is the )ri#ar&reait& of church+ The Code uses the ter#;)articuar church; to refer to the diocesan

church+ 7t is this e*e of church which is *iewedas !asic% co#)ete% fu& reai(ed+ The o#anCathoic Church fu& e=ists in each diocesanchurch% and the uni*ersachurch is #ade u) of diocesan churches+Canonica&% the o#anCathoic Church is a

co##union of diocesanchurches+ There are a!out2:@@ dioceses andarchdioceses in the word%a!out 08@ in the United,tates+

The word ;diocese;

co#es fro# the Gree/dioiesis, whichet&#oo$ica& refers to the#ana$e#ent of ahousehod% !ut in theo#an E#)ire was used to

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Canon Law - 2

na#e ad#inistrati*e urisdictions% i/e thoseheaded !& #a$istrates or e$ates+ The church$radua& !e$an to use the ter#% and !& theMidde A$es it #eant the oca church headed

!& a !isho)+

The canons de<ne a diocese as a )ortion of the Peo)e of God+ This is of funda#entai#)ortance+ The !eie*in$ )eo)e are the)ri#ar& reait&% then those who #inister tothe#+ The )eo)e are entrusted to a !isho) fortheir )astora care+ 7n )ro*idin$ that care% the

!isho) is assisted !& the )res!&terate% thecoe$e of )res!&ters+ Three forces $ather the)eo)e% their !isho)s and )riests into a church"the Ho& ,)irit% the $os)e% and the eucharist+ Thus $athered% the& constitute an e#!odi#entof the one% ho&% cathoic and a)ostoic churchof Christ+ This is the canonica *ision of thediocesan church+

7n #ission areas and esewhere% )articuarchurches are so#eti#es caed !& other na#es"territoria )reature% a)ostoic *icariate%a)ostoic ad#inistration% etc+ The& areeJui*aent to dioceses in canon aw+

Dioceses are% as a rue% territoria+ That is%the diocese has cear $eo$ra)hica !oundaries%

and the ;)ortion of the Peo)e of God; is the)eo)e i*in$ in that territor&+ 7n e=ce)tionasituations% a )articuar church can !eesta!ished on another !asis% e+$+% an$ua$e%nationa ori$in% etc+

On& the hi$hest authorit& in the church%i+e+% the )o)e% can for#a& esta!ish a diocese+

When he does so% the diocesan church !eco#esa uridic )erson% that is% it is a canonica su!ectof ri$hts and o!i$ations+

$ISHO%S

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Canon Law - 2

7t is custo#ar& to cate$ori(e the Christianchurches accordin$ to their for# of )oit& intoe)isco)a% )res!&tera or con$re$ationa%de)endin$ on where authorit& is od$ed% with

!isho)s% eders or with the #e#!ers of theoca con$re$ation+ 7n ter#s of its church order%the o#an Cathoic Church is an e)isco)achurch+ Canonica&% it is *er& cear that the!isho) is the chief )astora eader and /e&authorit& <$ure in the churches which #a/e u)the Cathoic co##union+

The tite ;!isho); co#es fro# the Gree/e"iso"os, which #eans o*erseer orsu)erintendent+ The ter# was used to refer tochurch eaders se*era ti#es in the 5ew Testa#ent+ For that reason% and !ecause su!se-Juent& !isho)s ca#e to )a& the centra roe inthe oca churches% the e)isco)a oce isconsidered to !e of di*ine ori$in+

1isho)s are successors of the a)ostes !&di*ine institution the& are #ade such !& theHo& ,)irit who is $i*en to the#+ The& are)astors in the church% teachers of doctrine%)riests of sacred worshi)% and #inisters of $o*ernance+ 1isho)s recei*e these oces intheir e)isco)a ordination% and the& can

e=ercise the# on& if the& re#ain inco##union with the Coe$e of 1isho)s and itshead% the )o)e+

A candidate for the oce of !isho) shoud!e"

0+ a $ood Christian% with *irtue Bfaith% #oras%)iet&% (ea% wisdo#% )rudence% taent% and

a $ood re)utation2+ a )riest% ordained at east <*e &ears% and at

east thirt&-<*e &ears of a$e

+ a hoder of a $raduate de$ree in scri)ture%theoo$& or canon aw% or at east we

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Canon Law - 2

Juai<ed in these disci)ines+

B7t is interestin$ to co#)are this ist ofreJuire#ents with that $i*en in the First Letter

to Ti#oth&% % 0->+ The Ho& ,ee #a/es the<na ud$#ent a!out the worthiness ofcandidates+

1isho)s are caed ;diocesan; when adiocese has !een entrusted to the#+ A other!isho)s% e+$+% au=iiaries% retired% etc+% are caed;tituar%; that is% the& ha*e !een $i*en a

no#ina see% one which no on$er e=ists% as as&#!o of their reationshi) to a ;)ortion of thePeo)e of God;+ 7t is a re#inder that ordained#inisters ha*e awa&s !een *iewed in rea-tionshi) to a co##unit& of )eo)e who# the&ser*ed+

The )o)e either a))oints !isho)s orcon<r#s those who ha*e !een eected+ BThe

<rst !isho) in the United ,tates% ohn Carro%was eected !& his feow- )res!&ters in 0>?8+ 7nso#e )arts of the word !isho)s are stieected+

There are four distinct ste)s to !eco#in$ a!isho)" seection or desi$nation% conferra of the oce% e)isco)a ordination or consecration%

and the for#a ta/in$ )ossession of the oce+A )oo or ist of na#es% co#)ied in secret

!& the !isho)s of each )ro*ince B$rou) of dioceses and )eriodica& u)dated% of those)riests who are thou$ht suita!e for thee)isco)ac&% is sent to the Ho& ,ee and#aintained there in the Con$re$ation of

1isho)s+When a diocesan !isho) dies or retires% the

)a)a e$ate $athers the su$$estions of nei$h!orin$ !isho)s% and of the head of the!isho)s conference% for a i/e& successor+ 7nthe )rocess the a)ostoic e$ate is to hear fro#

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Canon Law - 2

so#e of the #e#!ers of the diocesan coe$eof consutors% and he #a& aso as/ the o)inionsof other )riests and a&)ersons+ The e$atesends a sate of three na#es to the Ho& ,ee

aon$ with his own )reference+ The whoe)rocedure is secret+ The considera!e inuenceof the )a)a e$ate is o!*ious+ Other #e#!ersof the hierarch& aso inter*ene in this seection)rocess+

When the !isho) of a diocese desires anau=iiar& Bassistant !isho)% he sends a ist of

three suita!e na#es to the Ho& ,ee+ Moredetaied rues for this seection or no#ination)rocess can !e found in Canon La* +igest, >%99->+

1isho)s ser*e the church )ri#ari& !&#inisterin$ within their oca churches% !ut the&aso share coe$ia& certain res)onsi!iities for

the ar$er church+ As a$ents of the co##unionof the churches% the& )artici)ate in acti*ities atthe state% )ro*incia% re$iona% nationaconference e*es% and in the uni*ersa coe$eof !isho)s+ The foowin$ sections focus on the)owers and o!i$ations of !isho)s within theirdioceses+

"IOCESAN $ISHO%S

A )riest% once na#ed a diocesan !isho)%#ust !e ordained a !isho) Buness he wasaread& a !isho)% and then )u!ic& ;ta/e)ossession; of the diocese !& )resentin$ hisetter of a))oint#ent fro# the Ho& ,ee to thecoe$e of consutors Bthe $rou) of )res!&ters

initia& res)onsi!e for the diocese !etween!isho)s+ This shoud ta/e )ace within aitur$ica cere#on& in the cathedra church+On& then can the new !isho) e=erciseauthorit& in the diocese+

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Canon Law - 2

A diocesan !isho) is $i*en $reat authorit&!ecause he has $reat res)onsi!iities+ Hisauthorit& is descri!ed in a re#ar/a!& o)en-ended wa&" a he needs to $et the o! done+ A

diocesan !isho) has a the ordinar& B$oes withthe oce% )ro)er Be=ercised in his own na#e%not *icarious% and i##ediate Bdirect& toe*er&one in the diocese )ower which is re-Juired for the e=ercise of his )astora oce+ The on& e=ce)tions are those cases reser*edto hi$her authorit&+ The !isho) e=ercises this

authorit& in his own na#e% not as the *icar of the )o)e+ Christ and his Ho& ,)irit are itssource it co#es to hi# throu$h the sacra#entof orders+

The canons deineate the facets of the!isho)s oce !& istin$ those for who# he#ust ha*e )astora care% and then !& statin$his #aor res)onsi!iities as teacher% sancti<er

and ruer+

%ASTOR' The !isho) is to care a!out athose within the !oundaries of the diocese% noton& the Cathoics who co#e to #ass on,unda&+ He is to reach out to a the Cathoicfaithfu% re$ardess of a$e% nationait&% conditionor rite% incudin$ shut-ins and faen-awa&s+ Heis to reach out in o*e to those who are notCathoics% #e#!ers of other churches as weas non-Christians+ The !isho) #ust ha*es)ecia concern for the diocesan )res!&terate+the coe$e of )riests who are his he)ers in#inistr&+ He is to oo/ out for the#% isten totheir ad*ice% and see that the& fu< their

duties+

TEACHER' The diocesan !isho) is to)ro)ose and e=)ain the truths of the faith tothe faithfu+ He is to )reach freJuent& hi#sef%and he is to o*ersee the entire #inistr& of the

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Canon Law - 2

word% fro# itur$ica )reachin$ to catecheticainstruction+ His concern is !oth the inte$rit& of the faith and the freedo# of those who stud&its truths+

SANCTIFIER' The !isho) is to )ro#ote thehoiness of the Christian faithfu% accordin$ tothe *ocation of each+ He is to !e an e=a#)e tothe# in charit&% hu#iit& and si#)icit& of ife+ The !isho) is the )rinci)a dis)enser of the#&steries of God% the )ro#oter and $uardian of

the itur$ica ife of the diocese+ He is to see/ toha*e the faithfu $row in $race throu$h thecee!ration of the sacra#ents+ The !isho) #ustcee!rate #ass for the )eo)e e*er& ,unda&and ho& da&% and he is to )reside at theeucharist freJuent& in the cathedra or anotherchurch of 7 he diocese+

RULER' The !isho) )ossesses e$isati*e%e=ecuti*e and udicia )ower% with which to$o*ern the diocese+ There is no se)aration of )owers in the Cathoic Church% in either thee)isco)a or )a)a oces instead% in those /e&)ositions the three /inds of authorit& areunited+ Howe*er% the !isho) can Band usua&does dee$ate #uch of his authorit&+ He cannot

dee$ate his aw-#a/in$ )ower% !ut he can actthrou$h *icars in !oth e=ecuti*e and udicia#atters+ The !isho) is to )ro#ote the co##ondisci)ine of the church% and to he watchfu esta!uses cree) in% es)ecia& reatin$ to)reachin$% worshi) and the ad#inistration of )ro)ert&+ The !isho) is the re)resentati*e of thediocese in uridica #atters+ The o!edienceowed to the !isho) !& the ordained #inisters of the diocese is a /e& ee#ent of his ruin$function+

7n addition to these #aor custers of res)onsi!iities% the diocesan !isho) is to

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Canon Law - 2

coordinate the *arious a)ostoates of thediocese% and to ad#inister its )ro)ert&+ He is tofoster a)ostoic acti*ities% e+$+% schoos%hos)itas% a$encies of charit&% e*an$ei(ation%

etc+% and !oth encoura$e and assist the faithfuto ta/e )art in these wor/s of the a)ostoate+ The !isho) is res)onsi!e not on& for the funds%ands and !uidin$s which !eon$ to the dioceseitsef% !ut he aso #ust o*ersee the )ro)ertiesof the uridic )ersons su!ect to his authorit&%e+$+% the )arishes and other institutions within

the diocese+ The diocesan !isho) has three #ore

traditiona duties"

0+ He #ust !e )resent to his diocese+ He iso!i$ed to reside within the diocese for ateast ee*en #onths of the &ear% and to !eacti*e& in*o*ed in his #inistr&+

2+ He #ust *isit the )arishes and otherinstitutions of the diocese+ At east oncee*er& <*e &ears he is to conduct a )astora*isitation it is his chance to hear the)eo)e% and to e*auate the state of thecon$re$ations and their #inisters+

+ He #ust re)ort to the )o)e on the state of

the diocese e*er& <*e &ears+ This% too% is aserious% detaied #atter% and in*o*es *isitsto the Ho& ,ee+

This o*eroaded eader has one <nares)onsi!iit&% and that is to a& his !urdendown+ When he reaches the a$e of se*ent&-<*e&ears or when he can no on$er fu< his duties%he is reJuested to su!#it his resi$nation to the)o)e+ As !isho) e#eritus he has a ri$ht to aresidence in the diocese and to decent su))ort+

The )astora roe of !isho)s is set forth inthe +irector& on the %astoral inistr& of $isho"s, Washin$ton" U,CC% 08>3+ Their

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Canon Law - 2

canonica res)onsi!iities are s)eed out in T+Green% anual for $isho"s0 ights andes"onsibilities of +iocesan $isho"sBWashin$ton" U,CC% 08?+

AU(ILIARY $ISHO%S

There are three cate$ories of tituar!isho)s who are a))ointed to assist or )artia&re)ace diocesan !isho)s"

0+ Au=iiar& Bfro# anxiliaris, $i*in$ he)%assistin$ !isho)s are a))ointed% u)on thereJuest of the diocesan !isho)% to he) hi#%when the )astora needs of the diocese cafor it+

2+ Au=iiar& !isho)s with s)ecia facuties arei#)osed on a diocesan !isho) in res)onseto so#e dicut& or de<cienc& in thediocese or with the diocesan !isho) hi#sef%

e+$+% <nancia crisis% i heath% a!uses of disci)ine% etc+

+ Coadutor Bfro# adutor, a he)er or de)ut&!isho)s are au=iiar&-!isho)s with s)eciafacuties whose a))oint#ent aso $i*esthe# the ri$ht to succeed the diocesan!isho) when he dies% retires or !eco#es

inca)acitated+ The coadutor !eco#es thediocesan !isho) i##ediate& u)on the*acanc& of the see+

The atter two cate$ories of assistant!isho)s are aso *icars $enera% and aid thediocesan !isho) with the entire $o*ernance of the diocese% not ust in one or another area of

)astora res)onsi!iit&+ The& ta/e his )acewhen he is a!sent or inca)acitated% and the&#ust !e consuted on a i#)ortant #atters+

A au=iiar& or assistant !isho)s ha*e reacanonica authorit& in the diocese% either as*icars $enera or e)isco)a *icars the& are )ri-

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Canon Law - 2

#ar& consutors to the diocesan !isho)% andare to wor/ in har#on& with hi#+ Of course% aof the# are sacra#enta& ordained and fu#e#!ers of the coe$e of !isho)s+

There are hundreds of au=iiar& !isho)s inthe word% and the *ast #aorit& are of the <rstcate$or&% that is% reJuested !& diocesan!isho)s who needed so#e he) with theire)isco)a tas/s+ The au=iiaries are usua&assi$ned so#e s)eci<c areas of res)onsi!iit&%either $eo$ra)hic re$ions of the diocese or

areas of the a)ostoate% in addition to itur$icaand cere#onia roes% e+$+% ad#inisterin$ thesacra#ent of con<r#ation% attendin$ funerasand #eetin$s+

IM%E"E" OR &ACANT SEES

Transfers of authorit& are deicate #atters+

The canonica s&ste# a!hors *acuu#s%a#!i$uities and conicts in such transitions+ The canons #a/e s)ecia )ro*ision forsu))&in$ eadershi) when the diocesan !isho)is co#)ete& )re*ented fro# fu<in$ his)astora duties% and when the sec !eco#es*acant+

The <rstsituation occurswhen the !isho) isi#)risoned% e=iedor inca)acitated%e+$+% !& an accidentor stro/e% to thee=tent that he

cannotco##unicate withthe )eo)e of thediocese% e*en !&

etter+ The diocesan see is said to !e i#)eded+7n this si- tuation% the coadutor !isho)% it there

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is one% assu#es $o*ernance of the diocese+ 1utcoadutors are rare% so the $o*ern#entde*o*es u)on the )ersons desi$nated !& thediocesan !isho) on a ist of na#es% which #i$ht

incude an au=iiar& !isho)% a *icar $enera ore)isco)a *icar% or other )riests+ When thediocesan !isho) <rst ta/es )ossession of thediocese he draws u) an ordered ist of such )er-sons for this )ur)ose+ The ist is /e)t !& thechanceor of the diocese% and aso !& the#etro)oitan Bthe arch!isho) of the )ro*ince%

who has a su)er*isor& roe+ The ist is to !eu)dated e*er& three &ears+ 7f no such ist e=istsat the ti#e of i#)edance% then the diocesancoe$e of consutors seects a )riest to $o*ern+

A diocese is considered *acant when the!isho) dies% has his resi$nation acce)ted% istransferred% or is de)ri*ed of the oce+ 7f therewas a coadutor !isho)% he i##ediate&

succeeds when the see !eco#es *acant+Otherwise% an ad#inistrator of the diocese isdesi$nated unti a new !isho) is a))ointed andta/es )ossession+ 7n the case of a !isho) !ein$transferred to another diocese% the !isho)re#ains as ad#inistrator of the od dioceseunti he ta/es )ossession of the new one+ 7n theother instances of *acanc& Bna#e&% death%resi$nation or de)ri*ation% the coe$e of consutors is reJuired to eect a diocesanad#inistrator within ei$ht da&s of earnin$ thatthe see is *acant+ The ad#inistrator #ust !e a)riest% at east thirt&-<*e &ears od% and shoud!e outstandin$ in doctrine and )rudence+ Thead#inistrator% fro# the ti#e of his eection% has

the authorit& and res)onsi!iities of a diocesan!isho)% !ut there are certain i#itations on his)owers and initiati*es+

ROU%INS OF "IOCESES AN" $ISHO%S

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Each diocesan church% a )ortion of thePeo)e of God% is a sin$e )art of theco##union of churches which is the o#anCathoic Church+ 7t is !oth <ttin$ and necessar&

that nei$h!orin$ dioceses reate to one another+ The churches #ust co##unicate and )anto$ether so that the& can coo)erate in theirco##on #ission and witness+ 7n addition% the!isho)s of the dioceses% #e#!ers of thecoe$e of !isho)s% share a soicitude andres)onsi!iit& for the wider church+ The& aso

need to #eet% wei$h co##on )oicies% andcoa!orate+

The canons aow for $rou)in$s and#eetin$s of churches B)ro*inces and councis%!oth )enar& and )ro*incia and of !isho)sB)ro*incia #eetin$s and nationa conferences+

%RO&INCES) METRO%OLITANS

5ei$h!orin$ dioceses are $athered into$rou)in$s caed eccesiastica )ro*inces% inorder to )ro#ote their co##on )astoraacti*it& and to foster the reations a#on$ their!isho)s+ There are usua& !etween three andten dioceses in a )ro*ince% so#eti#es thosewithin the !oundaries of a state or two or three

adoinin$ states+ The& are $rou)ed around aar$er or oder cit&% where the diocese is caedan archdiocese Bthe )re<= ;arch%; fro# theGree/% #eans chief or )rinci)a and thearch!isho) is caed the #etro)oitan of the)ro*ince+ BMetro)oitan co#es fro# meter,#other% and "olls, cit&% the #other or )arentcit&+ The other dioceses in the )ro*ince arecaed ;su.ra$ans%; fro# the Latin suragium, a*ote% !ecause their !isho)s used to !e theeectors of the #etro)oitan+

The #etro)oitan e=ercises so#e *i$ianceand su)er*ision within the )ro*ince% !ut has

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Canon Law - 2

*er& itte authorit& o*er the other churches ortheir !isho)s+ The !isho)s of the )ro*ince arenot reJuired to #eet% and sedo# do% at eastfor#a&+ As a )ro*incia $rou) the& ha*e a *er&

#odest canonica roe+

7n the Midde A$es )ro*inces were a*i$orous and e.ecti*e ;#idde e*e; of church$o*ernance+ Their authorit& and inuence ha*e!een eroded% fro# a!o*e and !eow% so thatnow the& are ar$e& irree*ant+ Arch!isho)seno& the )resti$e of the ar$er and oder

churches% and so#eti#es the& e=ercise)ersona eadershi) within the )ro*ince% !utthe& ha*e on& #ar$ina& $reater canonicaauthorit& than other diocesan !isho)s+

%RO&INCIAL AN" %LENARY COUNCILS

A ar$e )art of the reason wh& )ro*incia

$o*ernance has a#ost *anished in the churchis the de#ise of oca councis+ The canons)ro*ide for re)resentati*e #eetin$s of nei$h!orin$ churches% )ro*incia or )enar& Batthe e*e of the conference of !isho)s% that is%nationa% !ut the& are not hed+ This #ostancient and honora!e for# of church dei!era-tion is in dan$er of !eco#in$ a #ere #e#or&+

One reason these ;)articuar councis;Btheir $eneric na#e ha*e faen into disuse isthat the church has #o*ed fro# s&noda for#sof decision-#a/in$ and $o*ernance toward#ore ad#inistrati*e or e=ecuti*e st&es+Another is the contro which the Ho& ,eee=ercises o*er the conciiar )rocess+ ,ti

another reason is the success of the #ore#odern conferences of !isho)s+

At an& rate% the Code contains cear$uideines for !oth )ro*incia and )enar&councis" who cas the#% who is to !e in*ited%

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Canon Law - 2

who sets the a$enda% what is their authorit&%and a !road #andate% na#e&% to )ro*ide forthe )astora needs of the Peo)e of God in theterritor&+ The decision to hod a counci is a

discretionar& ud$#ent+ Perha)s a ti#e wico#e when councis wi once a$ain !eco#eoccasions for the churches to e=)erience the,)irits *itait&+

CONFERENCES OF $ISHO%S

5ationa conferences of !isho)s are the

#odern dei!erati*e asse#!ies of the !isho)sBnot the churches of indi*idua countries+ The!isho)s% !oth diocesan and au=iiar&% $atheredin these conferences oint& e=ercise certain)astora functions on !ehaf of the faithfu of the nation the& tr& to ada)t the churchsa)ostoates to the ti#e and )ace so as toenhance the churchs ser*ice to hu#an/ind+

The conferences are )er#anent institutionsBnot ust annua #eetin$s% with ocers% ane=ecuti*e counci% co##issions% and sta.+ The&are an e=ercise of the !isho)s coe$iares)onsi!iit& for the church in the nation%another #anifestation of the co##union of thechurches+

Canonica&% !isho)s conferences are Juitenew% ste##in$ fro# the ,econd 6aticanCounci+ The& ha*e their roots in the ancientconciiar tradition% and #ore recent& in the*arious nationa asse#!ies of !isho)s inEuro)e in the nineteenth centur& and in theUnited ,tates after the First Word War+ At thecounci the !isho)s e=)ressed the need to ha*e

an e.ecti*e )oic&-settin$ #echanis# at thenationa e*e+ The conferences were ocia&esta!ished in canon aw to #eet this need+

The uridica rue-#a/in$ authorit& of conferences is Juite i#ited+ The& can #a/e

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Canon Law - 2

re$uations which are !indin$ on the churchesof the nation on& in s)eci<ca& desi$nated#atters% !& a *ote of two-thirds of the#e#!ers% and those decisions are su!ect to

re*iew !& the Ho& ,ee+ 1ut the #ost i#)ortantacti*ities of the !isho)s conferences aree=ercises of their teachin$ oce% and e.orts of )annin$% su))ort% encoura$e#ent andcoordination of the a)ostoate+ 7n these *itaareas the conferences #a/e *er& su!stantiacontri!utions to the churches and the nations of

the word+5ationa conferences of !isho)s are

encoura$ed to co##unicate with one another%!ut when coo)eration reaches the )oint of action or )ro$ra#% the Ho& ,ee #ust !econsuted+

INTERNAL ORANI*ATION OF "IOCESES

The diocesan church% which is a )ortion of the Peo)e of God ser*ed !& a !isho) who isassisted !& a )res!&terate% is the )aradi$# of a)articuar church in the o#an Cathoicco##union of churches+ For that reason% thecanons o.er detaied descri)tions of the *ariousor$ans and of<ces which he) this church to

function+ ,o#e are instru#ents of coe$iaaction% i+e+% diocesan s&nod% )res!&tera counci%coe$e of consutors% )astora counci% <nancecounci% and others are ad#inistrati*e aids tothe !isho)% i+e+% *icars $enera and e)isco)a%chanceor% #oderator of the curia% <nanceocer+

Q5ote" Those who assist the diocesan!isho) in udicia #atters Bas o*er a$ainste=ecuti*e or ad#inistrati*e a.airs% the ocersof the diocesan court% are treated in 1oo/,e*en of the code% Processes% !e$innin$ withcanon 0308+ The& are !rie& e=)ained !eow in

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Canon Law - 2

the cha)ter on Processes+R

Most of these diocesan oces and or$ansare )resented in the Code as #andator&% !ut

the wa& that the& are actua& de)o&ed andutii(ed in dioceses *aries $reat&+ 7n s#adioceses% se*era oces #a& !e hed !& one)erson in ar$e dioceses% the roes #a& !e#uti)e% and their e.ecti*e coordination #a&!e channeed throu$h *icariates% secretariats%or ca!inet-i/e de)art#ents+ The canonicareJuire#ents a))ear Juite ri$id and <=ed% !ut

their arran$e#ent is *er& e=i!e in )ractice+

CONSULTATI&E $O"IES

The canonica conce)t of consutationi#)ies #uch #ore than a )assi*e hearin$ of the o)inions of )ersons or $rou)s which one isreJuired to consut+ The notion is !ased on the

con*iction that there is $enuine wisdo#% Godswisdo#% in the co##unit&% and the eader #uststri*e earnest& to earn it+ The $rou) to !econsuted #ust !e !rou$ht to$ether% not caed!& )hone or )oed !& #ai+ The& #ust !e fu&infor#ed of the issue% not /e)t in the dar/a!out the rues or facts+ There shoud !e fuand free discussion% not a )erfunctor&

e=chan$e+ Those consuted are o!i$ed to $i*etheir o)inions sincere&+ 7f there is unani#it& orsoid consensus% the eader shoud not actcontrar& to it+ 7f the eader fees co#)eed toact contrar& to the consensus of the consutors%he or she shoud $i*e the reasons% )refera!& inwritin$+

"IOCESAN S YNO"' The ar$est and #ost!road& re)resentati*e of the consutati*e!odies is the diocesan s&nod+ 7t is descri!ed asa $rou) of )riests and other faithfu whicho.ers assistance to the diocesan !isho) for the

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Canon Law - 2

$ood of the whoe diocesan co##unit&+ 1ut as&nod is not en*isioned as a )er#anent !od&"rather it is an e*ent which is cee!rated whencircu#stances warrant+ e$retta!&% s&nods are

rare& hed+

Gatherin$ the re)resentati*es of the ocachurch in a s&nod is a )ractice which $oes !ac/to the ear& centuries of the churchs e=istence+7n ti#es of refor#% the s&nod was the occasionfor announcin$ and enforcin$ the refor#decrees+ The Fourth Lateran Counci B020: and

the Counci of Trent B0:9 rued that diocesans&nods were to !e hed e*er& &ear+ The 080>Code reJuired the# at east e*er& ten &ears%!ut the& sedo# occurred+

On& the diocesan !isho) can con*o/e as&nod% and he #ust <rst consut the )res!&teracounci !efore doin$ so+ He aso )resides+

Certain )ersons #ust !e in*ited to a s&nod% and#an& others #a& !e+ ;Free discussion; is tocharacteri(e the e=chan$e within a s&nod+ A#e#!ers of the s&nod ha*e consutati*e *otes%!ut the !isho) is the soe e$isator% if canonicarue-#a/in$ is )art of the a$enda+ The outco#eof a diocesan s&nod is to !e co##unicated tothe #etro)oitan of the )ro*ince and to the

conference of !isho)s+Most of the dioceses which ha*e cee!rated

s&nods since the ,econd 6atican Counci ha*eused the# as istenin$% )annin$% andani#atin$ e*ents for the diocesan co##unit&+ The& can !e occasions to unif& and ener$i(ethe oca church for its #ission+

%RES$YTERAL COUNCIL' A consutati*e $rou)of )riests is to e=ist in e*er& diocese+ 7t isdescri!ed as a sort of senate to the !isho) andat the sa#e ti#e re)resentati*e of the entire)res!&teriu#+ The )ur)oses of the )res!&tera

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Canon Law - 2

counci are to he) the !isho) in $o*ernin$ thediocese and to )ro#ote the )astora wefare of that )ortion of the Peo)e of God+

The )res!&tera counci is another creatureof the ,econd 6atican Counci+ 7t was intendedto !reathe new ife into the od cha)ters of can-ons and diocesan consutors+ And it was to $i*ee=)ression to the diocesan )res!&terate% thecoe$e of )riests which shares in the )astoraeadershi) of the diocese with the !isho) and of which the !isho) is aso a #e#!er% in/ed !&

ties which are sacra#enta% fraterna anda#ica!e+

A!out haf of the #e#!ers of the councishoud !e eected !& the )res!&ters of thediocese Bsecuar and rei$ious% others can !eex o3cio, and sti others na#ed !& the !isho)+ The ai# is to #a/e the $rou) rou$h&

re)resentati*e of the re$ions and #inistries of the diocese+ Me#!ers are to ser*e fordesi$nated ter#s% so that the #e#!ershi) is$radua& renewed+

The !isho) is o!i$ed to consut the)res!&tera counci on #atters of $reateri#)ortance% and on certain s)eci<c decisions%!ut the $rou) shoud !e a )ri#ar& source of

counse for hi# on a issues reated to thewefare and #inistries of the diocesan church+ The !isho) con*enes the counci% )resides o*erit and sets its a$enda+

COLLEE OF CONSULTORS' This s#a $rou)of )riests is a))ointed !& the diocesan !isho)fro# a#on$ the #e#!ers of the )res!&teracounci for a narrow ran$e of *er& s)eci<cres)onsi!iities+ The coe$e )a&s a /e& roewhen the diocesan see is i#)eded or *acant%and in #aor decisions reated to <nances+

The coe$e of consutorshas fro# si= to

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Canon Law - 2

twe*e #e#!ers% and ser*es for a <*e-&earter#+ The !isho) )resides o*er #eetin$s of theconsutors+

%ASTORAL COUNCIL' This consutati*e !od&is the #ost re)resentati*e of the )er#anentcouncis+ 7t reects the diocesan church% and isco#)osed of a&)ersons es)ecia&% and aso of rei$ious and cer$&+ 7ts )ur)ose is to ad*ise the!isho) a!out )astora tas/s% to in*esti$ate% towei$h% and to su$$est courses of action

re$ardin$ the#+ The )astora counci s)rin$s ri$ht out of the

,econd 6atican Counci+ 7t e#!odies thethe#es of the acti*e )artici)ation of the ait&%their co-res)onsi!iit& for the churchs #ission%and the need for coa!oration in #inistr&+

A diocesan )astora counci is hi$h&

desira!e for e*er& diocese% and its #e#!ersshoud !e chosen or eected so that the )eo)eof the diocese are fair& re)resented% !&re$ions% !& socia $rou)s% !& e#)o&#ent% and!& a)ostoic in*o*e#ents+ 7ts #e#!ers are toser*e for desi$nated )eriods of ti#e+ The!isho) is to ca the counci% )reside o*er it%isten to it% and #a/e )u!ic its

reco##endations+

FINANCE COUNCIL' Each diocesan !isho) isto esta!ish a counci to assist hi# with the<nancia #ana$e#ent of the diocese+ 7ts#e#!ers% a& or cerica% are to !e s/ied in<nancia a.airs and ci*i aw% and )ersons of outstandin$ inte$rit&+ The& ser*e for ter#s of

<*e &ears+

The <nance counci has *er& s)eci<cduties% chief a#on$ which are the )re)arationof the annua !ud$et for the diocese and thea))ro*a of the <nancia re)ort at the end of

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Canon Law - 2

the &ear+

OFFICES OF THE "IOCESAN CURIA

The curia consists of those institutions and)ersons who assist the !isho) in the$o*ernance of the entire diocese% es)ecia& !&directin$ )astora acti*it&% !& carin$ for thead#inistration of the diocese% and !& e=ercisin$ udicia authorit&+ ;Curia; Bfor the #eanin$ of the word% see the o#an curia a!o*e is si#)&

a $o!a ter# which refers to the ocias whohe) the !isho) run the diocese+ Often otherna#es are used for this eadershi) $rou)% i/echancer& sta.% ca!inet% or )astora tea#+

The curia is a e=i!e conce)t+ 7t #a& andshoud incude those who ha*e diocesaneadershi) roes% and who shoud !e ta/in$ toeach other% e+$+% directors of di*isions or

de)art#ents or oces% i/e the su)erintendentof schoos% the director of charities or fa#i&ser*ices% the )ersonne director% etc+ 7t is noti#ited to the oces na#ed in the canonswhich foow% !ut it shoud incude #an& of the#+

The diocesan !isho) a))oints a of these

ocias% and he can re#o*e the#+ The& are to)ro#ise to fu< their oces faithfu&% and too!ser*e secrec& if and when it is reJuired of the#+ The ocia docu#ents Bcuria acts% fore=a#)e% etters of a))oint#ent% are to !esi$ned and notari(ed+

The coordination of the diocesanad#inistration is the !isho)s res)onsi!iit&%and canon 3> su$$ests so#e aternati*e wa&sof acco#)ishin$ it% de)endin$ on the si(e andco#)e=it& of the diocesan structures+

&ICAR ENERAL' A *icar is one who ta/es

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Canon Law - 2

the )ace of another Bfro# -icarius, one whota/es anothers )ace% a su!stitute+ 7n canonaw% a *icar is one who acts in )ace of anotheror with anothers authorit&+ A diocesan !isho)

acts on his own or ;)ro)er; authorit& a *icar$enera acts with the !isho)s authorit&% in hisstead+ ;Genera; here #eans not i#ited toso#e s)eci<c area of the diocese% !ut for theentire diocese+ The !isho) is to a))oint a *icar$enera Busua& ust one to assist hi# with the$o*ernance of the diocese+

The *icar $enera has the sa#e e=ecuti*eauthorit& in the diocese as the !isho)+ That is%he can )erfor# a the sa#e ad#inistrati*eactions% e=ce)t those which are reser*ed to the!isho) aone+ 5ote that the *icar $enera actson& in the e=ecuti*e or ad#inistrati*e area hedoes not share in the !isho)s e$isati*e or udicia authorit&% #uch ess in his teachin$ or

sanctif&in$ roes+ ,ti% canonica& it is the #ost)owerfu oce in the diocesan church after thatof the !isho)+

The *icar $enera #ust !e a )riest% at eastthirt& &ears od earned in canon aw ortheoo$&% and ha*e sound doctrine% inte$rit&%)rudence and )astora e=)erience+ The *icar

$enera is to re)ort to the !isho)% and ne*er toact a$ainst the )oicies or wishes of the !isho)+

E%ISCO%AL &ICAR' The *icar $enera hase=ecuti*e authorit& in the entire diocesee)isco)a *icars ha*e the sa#e authorit& in)articuar areas of the diocesan church+ The&#a& !e a))ointed !& the !isho) for )arts of the

territor& Be+$+% a *icariate% or for areas of thea)ostoate Be+$+% for )arishes% for )ersonne% orfor s)eci<c $rou)s of the faithfu Be+$+% an ethnic#inorit& or i##i$rant $rou)+ Within their areasof res)onsi!iit& the& act with the !isho)sauthorit&+ The Juai<cations% a))oint#ent and

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Canon Law - 2

re#o*a% and coordination with the !isho) arethe sa#e for e)isco)a *icars as for *icars$enera+

CHANCELLOR' The chanceors dut& is tocoect% arran$e and /ee) the docu#ents of thediocesan curia+ He or she aso acts as a notar&%esta!ishin$ the authenticit& of churchdocu#ents !& #eans of a si$nature+

The na#e co#es fro# the Latin%cancellarius, an usher or $ate/ee)er in a

o#an court whose )ace was ad cancellos, atthe !ars or $ratin$ which se)arated the ud$efro# the )u!ic+ The cancellarius !eca#e thesecretar& for the ud$e% and then the /ee)er of the court records+

The oce of chanceor in #an& dioceses is#uch #ore than that of archi*ist and notar&+

The chanceor is often the ;e=ecuti*e ocer;or ;$enera #ana$er; of the diocesan ad#in-istration% forti<ed with the authorit& of a *icar$enera or with dee$ated )ower+ Thechanceor need not !e a ceric% !ut #ust !e of $ood character and a!o*e re)roach+

FINANCE OFFICER' The !isho) is to a))oint

a <nance ocer or co#)troer to ad#inisterthe assets of the diocese% and to o*erseeauthori(ed e=)enditures+ The <nance ocer%who #a& !e a a&)erson or a ceric% is to !es/ied in <nancia a.airs and outstandin$&honest+ He or she re)orts to the !isho) and the<nance counci% wor/s with the !ud$eta))ro*ed !& the counci% and #a/es a &ear-end

<nancia re)ort to the counci+ The <nanceocer has a renewa!e <*e-&ear ter# of oce+

MO"ERATOR OF THE CURIA' Li/e that of the<nance ocer% this )osition is a new onecanonica&+ 7t is one res)onse to the i#)ortant

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Canon Law - 2

concern for coordination within thead#inistration of a diocese+ The !isho) #a&na#e so#eone% )refera!& a *icar $enera ore)isco)a *icar% to coordinate the e=ercise of

ad#inistrati*e res)onsi!iities% and to see thatthe other ocias of the curia do their o!s+ The)erson with these unen*ia!e tas/s is caed the#oderator of the curia+

%ARISHES AN" %ASTORS

The )arish is where the *ast #aorit& of

Cathoics e=)erience church+ 7t is the )ace of )ri#ar& and usua contact+ The faithfu /nowone another as #e#!ers of a )arish the&cee!rate the sacra#ents to$ether in the )arishchurch% share in co##on )roects and identif&the#se*es as )arishioners+ The ocacon$re$ation is a true church% one of thosein/ed and !onded in the co##union of churches caed the diocesan church+ The )arishis a su!di*ision of the diocese% !ut in reait& it is#uch #ore than that+

The canons de<ne a )arish as a co##unit&of the Christian faithfu+ That co##unit&%cear& descri!ed and sta!& esta!ished% isentrusted !& the !isho) to a )astor for its

)astora care+ The /e& words are ;a co##unit&of !eie*ers+; A co##unit& i#)ies a d&na#icinteraction a#on$ its #e#!ers it con*e&s#ore cohesion and interde)endence than thestatic e=)ression% ;a )ortion of the Peo)e of God%; which is used to de<ne a diocese+

;Parish; ste#s fro# the Gree/ "aroiia, a

nei$h!orhood or district+ 7n the eariestcenturies it desi$nated the church headed !& a!isho)% !ut so#ewhere !etween the fourth andsi=th centuries it ca#e to !e used as the na#efor the s#aer% oca churches within thediocese% cared for !& a )res!&ter+ 7n the feuda

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Canon Law - 2

)eriod the )arish !eca#e ;)ri*ati(ed%; that is%owned !& the oca ord who entrusted its careand its inco#e to a )riest% as his o! andsustenance+ On& recent& has canon aw

returned to the #ore authentic *ision of the)arish as a co##unit& of !eie*in$ )eo)e+

Cathoic )arishes are usua& territoria% i+e+%#e#!ershi) in the# is !ased u)on residencewithin the )arish !oundaries+ 1ut )arishes canaso !e )ersona% i+e+% with #e#!ershi) !asedon an$ua$e% nationait&% aiation with a

coe$e or uni*ersit&% #iitar& ser*ice% or othercriterion+

The diocesan !isho) esta!ishes )arishes%and it is within his authorit& to ater or co#!inethe#% or e*en to su))ress the#% !ut on& afterconsutin$ the )res!&tera counci+ The )arish isa uridic )erson% that is% a su!ect of ri$hts and

o!i$ations% and a!e to own )ro)ert&+ Usua&%each )arish has a )res!&ter as )astor% !utwhen circu#stances reJuire% )arish #inisteria)ersonne can !e di.erent& con<$ured% e+$+%se*era )arishes #a& !e entrusted to one)astor% se*era )riests as a tea# #a& oint&)ro*ide )astora care for one or se*era)arishes% or a deacon or a&)ersonBs #a& !e

entrusted with the )astora care of a )arish+ B7nthe atter case% a near!& )riest is a))ointed tosu)er*ise the )astora care+ Co##unities notesta!ished as )arishes can !e consideredJuasi-)arishes or )ro*ided for in so#e otherwa&+

Parish councis% #ade u) of )arish#e#!ers and those who #inister in the )arish%e=ist to he) )ro#ote the )astora acti*it& of the )arish+ The& ha*e a consutati*e roe% andare su!ect to the )astor+ The councis arereJuired% if the diocesan !isho) so decides+

Each )arish is aso to ha*e a <nance

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Canon Law - 2

counci to aid the )astor in the ad#inistrationof )arish )ro)ert& and <nances+

%ASTORS

What the !isho) is to the diocese% the)astor is to the )arish+ The )astors roeincudes !road teachin$% sanctif&in$ and$o*ernin$ res)onsi!iities% !ut on a hu#anscae+ A $ood )astor /nows the )eo)e of the)arish !& na#e% *isits their ho#es% cares a!outthe# and for the# at the turnin$ )oints of their

Christian i*es+ 7n the Cathoic Church% as inother Christian churches% the )astor is the#ainsta& of #inistr&+

The tite of ;)astor; co#es fro# the Latinword for she)herd% which is one of thedescri)tions esus used of hi#sef"

7 a# the $ood she)herd+ 7 /now #& shee) and

#& shee) /now #e + + + for these shee) 7 wi$i*e #& ife+ Bn+ 0@% 03-0:+

The ter# ;)astor; has !een used for thecentra #inisteria roe since 5ew Testa#entti#es+

A )astor cares for the co##unit& entrustedto hi#% fu<in$ the duties of teachin$%

sanctif&in$ and $o*ernin$+ The )astor does sounder the authorit& of the diocesan !isho)% withwho# he shares the #inistr& of Christ+ Hissacra#enta connection with the !isho) in ho&orders is one e=)ression of the co##union of the )arish co##unit& with the diocesan church+ The )astor is char$ed to coo)erate with other)res!&ters% deacons and a&)ersons in carr&in$out his #inistr& to the )arish co##unit&+

TEACHIN' The )astor #ust see to it thatGods word is )rocai#ed to a the )eo)e inthe )arish% not on& !& teachin$ and )reachin$to the Cathoic faithfu% !ut to e*er&one !&

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Canon Law - 2

e*er& )ossi!e #eans% fro# catecheticafor#ation to e*an$eica outreach and wor/s of socia ustice+ Announcin$ Gods sa*in$ word isthe )astors chief char$e+

SANCTIFYIN' The )astor is to #a/e theeucharist the ife-$i*in$ and nourishin$ centerof the )arochia con$re$ation he is to )ro#ote!oth fa#i& )ra&er and acti*e )artici)ation inthe itur$&+ The )astor !a)ti(es new #e#!ersof the co##unit&% reconcies the )enitent%anoints the sic/% assists at weddin$s and !uries

the dead% in addition to cee!ratin$ #ass forthe )eo)e of the )arish e*er& ,unda& and ho&

da&+ Carefu& )re)ared and)ra&erfu sacra#entacee!rations are the core of the )astors sanctif&in$ roewithin the )arishco##unit&% !ut the roeaso i#)ies a !roaderdi#ension of s)irituaeadershi)+

O&ERNIN' ;Pastorin$;i#)ies /nowin$ the)ersons and fa#iies of the)arish% su))ortin$%

co#fortin$% and so#eti#ese*en correctin$ the#+ 7taso #eans oo/in$ out forthe )oor% the aSicted% theone& and the #i$rant+ The)astor is to )ro#ote theacti*e )artici)ation of theait& in the churchs#ission% stri*in$ to ha*ethe )eo)e of the )arishshare *ita& in their ocaco##union% and at the

sa#e ti#e to fee the#se*es a *i$orous )art of

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Canon Law - 2

the diocesan co##union% ea$er to coo)eratewith the !isho) and the )res!&teriu#+ The)astor is aso the uridica re)resentati*e of the)arish% and the ad#inistrator of the )arish

)ro)ert&+ He is res)onsi!e for /ee)in$ and)reser*in$ the )arish sacra#enta records andarchi*es+

E*en thou$h% as stated a!o*e% the )astoraroe in a )arish #a& !e di*ided or shared in*arious wa&s% on& an ordained )res!&ter canJuaif& for the ocia tite of )astor of a )arish+

The )res!&ter #ust aso !e of sound doctrinaand #ora )ro!it&% (eaous% and )ersona&suited to the )arish in Juestion+

The diocesan !isho) confers the oce of )astor% !ut on& after consutation with thedean or *icar of the area in which the )arish isocated and% if need !e% with other )res!&ters

and a&)ersons+ 7f the )arish is entrusted to arei$ious co##unit&% the rei$ious su)erior)resents the candidate for )astor to the !isho)%and the !isho) na#es hi# )astor+

The )astor shoud eno& sta!iit& in oce itis necessar& for the co##unit&s sa/e as weas his own+ He can !e na#ed for an inde<niteter#% !ut the #ore co##on )ractice is to ha*e

a ter# of si= &ears% renewa!e for si= #ore+ The)astor is o!i$ed to #aintain residence within%and !e )resent to% the )arish co##unit&% ateast for ee*en #onths of the &ear+ Usua& this#eans i*in$ in the )arish house Brector&% andta/in$ no #ore than a #onths *acation+Pastors ose their oce !& the e=)iration of their ter#% transfer% re#o*a or resi$nation+ The&% i/e !isho)s% are reJuested to su!#ittheir resi$nations at the a$e of se*ent&-<*e+Beasons and )rocedures for the re#o*a of )astors are stated in canons 0>3@-0>30+

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Canon Law - 2

&ACANT OR IM%E"E" %ARISHES

When a )arish is without a )astor or if the)astor is )re*ented fro# e=ercisin$ his )astora

functions% e+$+% due to an accident% i-heath%i#)rison#ent or e=ie% the diocesan !isho)a))oints an ad#inistrator who has the ri$htsand duties of a )astor+ The tite of ;)arishad#inistrator%; therefore% is $i*en canonica&on& to the )riest who te#)orari& re)aces a)astor+ 7t is often used unocia& for those whoead )arish co##unities on a )er#anent !asis

in the a!sence of a )res!&ter-)astor+

%AROCHIAL &ICARS

;Parochia *icar; is the canonica na#e forthe ordained )res!&ter who is a))ointed to he)the )astor ess ocia& he is so#eti#es caedthe assistant or associate )astor or curate+ BFor

the #eanin$ of the ter# ;*icar%; see 6icarGenera+ The *icar shares the )astors concernfor the )arish co##unit&% and coa!orates withhi#% under his authorit&% in #inistr& to it+ The*icars roe can !e *arious& structured he #a&assist the )astor in the entire )astora care of the whoe )arish% or !e res)onsi!e for certain

#inistries or $eo$ra)hica areas or $rou)s of )eo)e within the )arish% or e*en e=ercises)eci<c /inds of #inistr&% e+$+% counsein$%catechesis% itur$ica coordination% in #ore thanone )arish at the sa#e ti#e+

6icars are a))ointed !& the diocesan!isho)% who shoud <rst consut the )astor andthe dean or e)isco)a *icar of the area+ 6icars

are o!i$ed to reside in the )arish% as the )astoris% and the& are entited to the sa#e a#ount of *acation ti#e+ 6icars do not eno& the sa#esta!iit& in oce as )astors% howe*er% and #a&!e re#o*ed !& the !isho) for an& $ood reason+

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Canon Law - 2

"EANS

Deans% who are so#eti#es caed ;*icars

forane; or arch)riests% are )riests a))ointed !&the !isho) to e=ercise a i#ited o*ersi$htfunction o*er the )arishes and #inisters in$eo$ra)hica areas of the diocese+ The re$ionsare caed deaneries or *icariates+

The na#e ;dean; co#es fro# the Latindecanus, a chief of ten% one set o*er ten

sodiers or #on/s+ ;Forane; co#es fro# for as,out-of-doors% outside of% and #eans an out&in$or re#ote area+ ,o deans or *icars forane arere)resentati*es of the !isho) in certain out&in$areas of the diocese+

The dean *isits the )arishes of his re$ion%atte#)ts to coordinate )astora acti*itiesa#on$ the#% sees that the church !uidin$s are

we #aintained and itur$ica re$uationso!e&ed% and o!ser*es that the cer$& are doin$their o!s+ He is to care es)ecia& for)res!&ters who are in dicut situations%trou!ed or sic/% and to arran$e for the !uria of )astors+ The dean oo/s to the wefare of the)arish when a )astor is sic/ or dies% est records

or )ro)ert& $o astra&+

CHA%LAINS

Cha)ains are )riests to who# the )astoracare of so#e co##unit& or s)ecia $rou) of thefaithfu is entrusted+ BThe na#e deri*es fro#;cha)e; one who is in char$e of or conducts

ser*ices in a cha)e+ Cha)ains are a))ointedfor hos)itas% )risons% #iitar& !ases% saiin$shi)s% ar$e rei$ious houses% #i$rant andrefu$ee $rou)s+ Athou$h the& are not strict&s)ea/in$% )astors% the cha)ains roe isanao$ous to that of a )astor% on& #ore

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Canon Law - 2

restricted in sco)e+ Cha)ains are $i*en theauthorit& the& need to fu< their )astoraduties% e+$+% to )reach the word of God%cee!rate the itur$&% and hear the confessions

of the )eo)e for who# the& care+ Cha)ains area))ointed and can !e re#o*ed !& the diocesan!isho) or other a))ro)riate authorit&+

K K K K End of Lesson K K K K

Check-up time a'ain!



"odule #wo - $esson (&

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Canon Law - 2


Consecrated and A)ostoic Life" ei$ious Co##unities

RELIIOUS

Christs faithfu )eo)e are distin$uishedcanonica& into a&)ersons% sacred #inisters%and rei$ious+ ;ei$ious; is the na#eco##on& used for those #e#!ers of thechurch who are consecrated to God and thechurchs sa*i<c #ission throu$h the )rofessionof the e*an$eica counses of )o*ert&% chastit&

and o!edience+

Historica&% rei$ious ife has !een one of the churchs *ita si$ns+ Men and wo#en% $ifted!& God% ha*e )ointed out to their foowers newwa&s of #a/in$ the Christian ourne&% newwa&s of wor/in$ for Gods /in$do#+ ei$ious$rou)s ha*e #anifested the i#)uses of the

Ho& ,)irit !& which the church has !eeneni*ened% enriched and so#eti#es refor#ed+ei$ious co##unities are not uniJue to theCathoic Church% !ut the& are one of itsdistincti*e features and stren$ths+ The& are not)art of the churchs hierarchica structure% !ut)ertain to its ife and stri*in$ for hoiness+

Canonica&% $rou)s of rei$ious #en andwo#en are distin$uished into three cate$ories"

0+ INSTITUTES OF CONSECRATE" LIFE. The#e#!ers of rei$ious institutes ta/e )u!ic*ows as their wa& of )rofessin$ the

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Canon Law - 2

e*an$eica counses% and the& i*e aco##on ife% i+e+% a ife ;in co##unit&;+7nstitutes of consecrated ife incude therei$ious orders and co##unities% !oth

#ens and wo#ens% of the cassictraditions" 1enedictines% Franciscans%Au$ustinians% Car#eites% Do#inicans% esuits and others+

2 SOCIETIES OF A%OSTOLIC LIFE' The #e#!ersof these societies are co##itted to an areaof the a)ostoate or #ission of the church%

to the co##on ife% and to a ife of charit&%!ut not throu$h the )rofession of )u!ic*ows Bathou$h #an& )rofess thee*an$eica counses in so#e other for#%e+$+% )ro#ise% )ed$e or consecration+,ocieties of A)ostoic Life incude #an& of the #ore #odern #issionar& $rou)s such asMissionaries of Africa% Oratorians%6incentians% Dau$hters of Charit&% ,ociet& of the Precious 1ood% Pauists% Paottines%Cou#!ans and Mar&/no+

+' SECULAR INSTITUTES. The #e#!ers of these$rou)s are not rei$ious their for# of consecrated ife is characteri(ed !&secuarit&% i+e+% wor/in$ for the sancti<cation

of the word fro# within it% whie en$a$in$ insecuar )ursuits+ The& do )rofess thee*an$eica counses in so#e for#% andso#e do i*e a co##on ife% !ut others i*ewith their fa#iies in the word+ ,ecuar7nstitutes are a twentieth-centur& inno*a-tion the& are reati*e& s#a and few innu#!er+

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Canon Law - 2

The <rst two of these three cate$ories arerea& Juite si#iar% at east when *iewed fro#the outside+ The& are considered to$ether inthis !oo/ si#)& as ;rei$ious co##unities%;

their #e#!ers are referred to as wo#en or#en ;rei$ious+; Howe*er% the di.erences

!etween institutes of consecrated ife andsocieties of a)ostoic ife in s)irit and traditionare often si$ni<cant+ Canonica&% the tendenc&to ho#o$eni(e or !ur the di.erences !etweenrei$ious $rou)s #ust !e resisted theirdistincti*e orientations and traditions #ust !eres)ected+

The hierarch& of the church cai#s the ri$htto re$uate the )ractice of the consecrated ife!& #eans of canonica a))ro*a+ This has oftenser*ed to stren$then and )rotect whoeso#erei$ious traditions% !ut it has aso contri!utedto tensions !etween charis#atic and structuraee#ents in the church+

RELIIOUS COMMUNITIES

$ASIC "ISTINCTIONS' ei$ious co##unities are$ender- identi<ed% of wo#en or of #en+Howe*er% the canonica nor#s are the sa#e for

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Canon Law - 2

!oth /inds of co##unities+ Co##unities arereco$ni(ed !& church authorit& as either a& orcerica+ The& are a& if their )ro)er roe doesnot reJuire the e=ercise of sacred orders%

cerica if their !asic )ur)ose )resu#es thee=ercise of orders+ Co##unities are diocesan or)onti<ca de)endin$ u)on whether the& wereesta!ished or a))ro*ed !& a diocesan !isho)or !& the )o)e+

E(TERNAL CONTROL' The esta!ish#ent of

rei$ious co##unities% the a))ro*a of theirconstitutions and an& chan$es in the#% their#er$ers and their su))ression% are su!ect tothe authorit& of the churchs hierarch&% eithere)isco)a or )a)a+ Co##unities are su!ect tothe )o)e% and their indi*idua #e#!ers are too!e& hi#+ He can e=e#)t rei$ious orders fro#the authorit& of diocesan !isho)s+ The su)eriors

of the co##unities are to su!#it re$uar statusre)orts to the Con$re$ation for ei$ious ino#e+

AUTONOMY AN" AUTHORITY ' Each rei$iousco##unit& )ossesses a )recious herita$ewhich it is to cherish" the *ision and intent of the founder re$ardin$ the nature% )ur)oses and

s)irit of the $rou)% and its own heath&traditions+ 7n other words% its own co##unaidentit&+ Each co##unit& has its own autono#&of ife and $o*ernance !& which it )reser*es itsown identit& and a))ro)riate disci)ine+ Theco##unit& draws u) its own constitution inwhich it s)es out its herita$e% $o*ernancestructures% #e#!ershi) and for#ation criteria%and its own understandin$ of the e*an$eicacounses+ 7n addition to this funda#entadocu#ent% the co##unit& aso draws u)secondar& or su))e#enta codes or rues of ife% which are #ore easi& chan$ed+ The

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eected su)eriors and dei!erati*e asse#!iesof the co##unities ha*e authorit& to directtheir acti*ities and $o*ern their #e#!ers+

CONSECRATE" LI&ES' Those who oin rei$iousco##unities )ed$e to foow Christ !& i*in$the e*an$eica counses of chastit&% )o*ert&and o!edience% which are $ifts fro# the Lordand o!ser*ed with the aid of his $race+ Thecounse of chastit& entais consistent se=uacontinence in a cei!ate% i+e+% un#arried% state

BMt 08%02 0 Cor >% 2-:+ Po*ert& i#)ies!ein$ )oor !oth in s)irit and in fact% !ein$de)endent and i#ited in usin$ and dis)osin$ of #ateria $oods BMt 9%2@ ?%2@" 2 Cor ?%8+ Thecounse of o!edience #eans su!#ission to thedirecti*es of ones rei$ious su)eriors Bn 3%3:+@+ The co##on ife of the rei$iousco##unit& is to !e fa#iia and #utua&

su))orti*e of the #e#!ers in fu<in$ their*ocations BActs 3%2+

STRUCTURES AN" O&ERNANCE

RELIIOUS HOUSES' ei$ious co##unities areor$ani(ed accordin$ to houses% that is% dwein$)aces where #e#!ers i*e to$ether or at east

to which the& are attached !& assi$n#ent+Houses are for#a& esta!ished !& thea))ro)riate co##unit& authorit&% and#e#!ers are o!i$ed to reside in the house towhich the& are assi$ned+ Each house has asu)erior+ The diocesan !isho) #ust a))ro*e theesta!ish#ent of a rei$ious house in thediocese% and that a))ro*a carries with it

certain other )rero$ati*es% e+$++ the ri$ht to anorator& where the eucharist is reser*ed% theri$ht to e=ercise the a)ostoic wor/s )ro)er tothe co##unit&% the ri$ht to esta!ish their ownassociation+

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Canon Law - 2

S,peri-rs' Houses are $rou)ed to$etherinto )ro*inces under a su)erior /nown as a)ro*incia+ The su)re#e #oderator Bor su)erior$enera hods authorit& o*er a of the)ro*inces% houses and #e#!ers of the entireco##unit&+ These two e*es of su)eriors%)ro*incias and su)re#e #oderators% are caed#aor su)eriors the& and their *icars are toe=ercise $o*ernance o*er the co##unit& inaccord with the co##unit&s own rues+ Thesesu)eriors are eected !& the #e#!ers of the

co##unit& for s)eci<c ter#s of oce+ Thesu)eriors ha*e rea authorit& with re$ard to the#e#!ers of the co##unit&% !ut the& are toe=ercise it in a s)irit of ser*ice+ The& are to!uid a co##unit& of sisters or !rothers inChrist% carin$ )astora& for their needs+,u)eriors are to *isit the houses under theirchar$e and attend to the #e#!ers indi*idua&+

Howe*er% the& are o!i$ed to res)ect the)ersona autono#& of indi*idua #e#!ers% and#ust ne*er intrude on their freedo# of conscience+

C-,.cils' Pro*incia su)eriors andsu)re#e #oderators are reJuired to ha*e acounci% #ade u) of se*era #e#!ers of the

co##unit&% to assist the# in the $o*ernance of the co##unit&+ These )ro*incia and $eneracouncis ad*ise the su)erior and ena!e so#e#e#!ers to share in the direction of theco##unit&+ The councis are ad*isor&% !ut thereare #an& instances in which the su)erior either#ust consut the counci !efore actin$ or o!tainthe consent of the counci in order to act+

Chapters' Cha)ters are coe$iaasse#!ies% re)resentati*e of the entireco##unit& the& are the hi$hest authorit& inthe co##unit&+ These $atherin$s% which arecarefu& structured and re$uated% are usua&

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Canon Law - 2

hed e*er& three to si= &ears% and are si$nae*ents in the i*es of co##unities+ 7n cha)ter%the dee$ates reca the identit& and traditionsof the co##unit& and stri*e to renew it in i$ht

of that herita$e% the& eect the su)re#e#oderator Bsu)erior $enera% the& dei!erate#aor Juestions% and issue nor#s to $uide theco##unit& in the future+ Most co##unitiesaso hod )ro*incia cha)ters for the sa#e)ur)oses+

The na#e ;cha)ter; co#es fro# the Latin%

ca"itulum, a di#inuti*e for# of ca"ut, head+ 7tca#e to #ean a headin$% a di*ision of a writin$%a cha)ter of a !oo/+ 7n the ear& Midde A$es#on/s ca#e to$ether dai& to isten to thereadin$ of a cha)ter of their rue+ The #eetin$s%which aso too/ u) other #atters% were caedcha)ters+

%r-pert/' Co##unities and their)ro*inces are uridic )ersons hence the& #a&own and ad#inister their own )ro)ert&+ The&are to do so whie a*oidin$ an& a))earance of weath% and in such a wa& as to e=)ress their*ersion of )o*ert&+ Each co##unit& and)ro*ince is to ha*e a <nance ocer who is

accounta!e to the su)erior and counci+ Thenor#s for the ad#inistration of church )ro)ert&B1oo/ Fi*e of the Code #ust !e o!ser*ed+

A01issi-. a.0 F-r1ati-.' 5o one#a& !e ad#itted to a rei$ious co##unit&without suita!e )re)aration+ The sta$es of this)re)aration are"

0+ %re4no-itiate. A )rei#inar& )eriod of aiation or association with theco##unit&+

2+ 5o-itiate. uai<ed and suita!e candidatesare ad#itted to a structured )rocess of

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Canon Law - 2

*ocationa discern#ent and s)irituafor#ation whie i*in$ within theco##unit&% for at east one &ear+

+ #em"orar& "rofession. After no*itiate%candidates are incor)orated into theco##unit& !& assu#in$ the o!ser*ance of the e*an$eica counses% usua& for three&ears+ Durin$ this ti#e the& continue theirs)iritua and a)ostoic for#ation within theco##unit&+

3+ %er"etual "rofession. U)on the e=)iration of

te#)orar& *ows% if the& reJuest it and are ud$ed worth&% the rei$ious are ad#itted to)er#anent )rofession% the <na ste) inco##unit& #e#!ershi)+

Separati-.' A #e#!er can !e se)aratedfro# a rei$ious co##unit& in three wa&s"

0+ Transfer. A )erson can transfer fro# onerei$ious co##unit& to another% !ut on&with the )er#ission of the authorities of each% and after co#)etin$ a three-&ear)eriod of )ro!ation+

2+ De)arture+ Professed rei$ious #a& ea*etheir co##unities"

Ba te#)orari&% !& #eans of an indutBconcession of e=caustration% i+e+%)er#ission to i*e outside the coister%$i*en !& the su)re#e #oderator for a)eriod of u) to three &ears

B! )er#anent&% !& #eans of an indut of de)arture% which carries with it a

dis)ensation fro# *ows% $i*en !& thesu)re#e #oderator and the a))ro)riatehierarchica authorit&+

+ Dis#issa+ Per#anent& )rofessed #e#!ersof rei$ious co##unities #a& he dis#issed

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Canon Law - 2

on three $rounds"

Ba one who )u!ic& ea*es the Cathoicfaith or who atte#)ts #arria$e is

dis#issed i)so facto !& the canons"B! one who co##its #urder% a!ortion%

other *io- ent cri#es% or a ceric whoi*es in concu!ina$e or otherscandaous se=ua arran$e#ent% #ust!e dis#issed% and the #aor su)eriorinitiates action to that end

Bc one who has co##itted other *er&serious and )u!ic& esta!ishedo.enses a$ainst the church orconsecrated ife #a& !e dis#issed% !uton& after re)eated warnin$s%o))ortunities to !e heard% referra to thesu)re#e #oderator and con<r#ation !&hierarchica authorit&+

O$LIATIONS AN" RIHTS

The church has $reat e=)ectations of rei$ious #en and wo#en !ecause of the )u!icwitness of their consecrated i*es+ Theirsu)re#e rue of ife is the foowin$ of Christ+

The& are to de*ote the#se*es to )ra&er% theho& eucharist% readin$ the scri)tures% theitur$& of the hours% #editation and con*ersionof heart+ The& are to )ursue their own on$oin$s)iritua and theoo$ica for#ation+

7n addition to these serious s)irituao!i$ations% rei$ious are hed to a dut& of

residence in o!ser*ance of their co##it#ent toco##unit& ife+ The& are to #a/e a))ro)riatedis)osition of their #ateria )ro)ert&% in/ee)in$ with the rue of their co##unit&+ Whatthe& acJuire !& their )ersona wor/ accrues totheir co##unit&+ The& are to o!e& their

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Canon Law - 2

su)eriors% acce)t the tas/s assi$ned the#% and/ee) the#se*es free for the ser*ice reJuired of the#+ ei$ious are aso reJuired to wear theha!it or insi$nia of their co##unit& and the&

are !ound !& so#e of the sa#e o!i$ations assacred #inisters% incudin$ that of continentcei!ac&+

7n return% rei$ious ha*e a ri$ht to e=)ectthat their co##unit& wi sustain and su))ortthe#% )h&sica& and s)iritua&% so that the&can i*e out their cain$+ This incudes the ti#e

and resources necessar& for their owncontinued de*eo)#ent+ ei$ious aso ha*e!oth *ote and *oice in the seection of theirsu)eriors and the )oicies of their co##unities+

A%OSTOLATE

A)ostoate is the ter# which the ,econd

6atican Counci and the Code use to descri!ewhat acti*e Bas o*er a$ainst conte#)ati*erei$ious co##unities are en$a$ed in+ Go!a&%a)ostoate si$ni<es a the acti*it& of the churchdirected toward the attain#ent of the $oa of s)readin$ the /in$do# of Christ e*er&where% of causin$ e*er&one to share in Christs sa*in$rede#)tion+ Within that ar$e )ur)ose% each

rei$ious co##unit& has its own characteristicser*ices% #inistries and wor/s to )erfor# theseconstitute the cor)orate a)ostoates of the

co##unit&% e+$+%e*an$ei(ation%teachin$% )arish#inistr&% care for the)oor or the sic/+Howe*er% the )ri#ar&a)ostoate of arei$ious consists in thewitness $i*en !& theirconsecrated i*es+

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Canon Law - 2

A)ostoic action !eon$s to the *er& natureof acti*e rei$ious co##unities their a)ostoics)irit and their rei$ious s)irit su.use oneanother+ Their a)ostoic acti*ities )roceed fro#

their union with God and are carried on inco##union with the church+ Co##unities areto retain the #ission and wor/s )ro)er to the#%!ut the& are aso to acco##odate the# toconte#)orar& needs+

7t is in the a)ostoate that rei$iousco##unities and diocesan !isho)s #ust reate

to one another% for the )astora wefare of the)eo)e+ ei$ious co##unities eno& autono#&of ife and $o*ernance% !ut rei$ious are su!ectto the authorit& of the !isho) in four areas" thecare of sous% )u!ic worshi)% the wor/s of thea)ostoate% and s)eci<c tas/s or oces whichthe !isho) assi$ns to the#+ Consutation%coordination and coo)eration !etween rei$ious

co##unities and !isho)s are reJuired in theseareas of a)ostoic acti*it&+ ei$ious shoudenter into written a$ree#ents when assu#in$and assi$nin$ res)onsi!iities in a diocese+ 7naddition% the !isho) has a i#ited o*ersi$ht of the churches% oratories% schoos and otherwor/s carried on !& rei$ious in the diocese+

C-.2ere.ces -2 Maj-r S,peri-rs

The #aor su)eriors B)ro*incias and$eneras of rei$ious co##unities associatein conferences for )ur)oses of coa!oration%!oth in achie*in$ the $oas of theirindi*idua co##unities and in coo)eratin$with !isho)s Bc+ >@?+ These conferences are*ountar& associations% re$uated !& theHo& ,ee Bc+ >@8+ 7n the Phii))ines theree=ists the Association of Maor ei$ious,u)eriors in the Phii))ines+ 7n the United,tates there is the Leadershi) Conference of

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Canon Law - 2

Wo#en ei$ious and the Conference of Maor ,u)eriors of Men+ 7n Canada thewo#en and #en to$ether !eon$ to theCanadian ei$ious Conference+ There are

aso #ens and wo#ens Unions of ,u)eriorsGenera in o#e+

K K K K End of Lesson : K K K K

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Canon Law Module-II