THE CODE OF CANON LAW

CODEX IURIS CANONICI (1983)

BOOK I:
GENERAL NORMS

Can. 1 The canons of this Code concern only the Latin Church.
Can. 2 For the most part the Code does not determine the rites to be observed in the celebration of liturgical actions. Accordingly, liturgical laws which have been in effect hitherto retain their force, except those which may be contrary to the canons of the Code.
Can. 3 The canons of the Code do not abrogate, nor do they derogate from, agreements entered into by the Apostolic See with nations or other civil entities. For this reason, these agreements continue in force as hitherto, notwithstanding any contrary provisions of this Code.
Can. 4 Acquired rights, and likewise privileges hitherto granted by the Apostolic See to either physical or juridical persons, which are still in use and have not been revoked, remain intact, unless they are expressly revoked by the canons of this Code.
Can. 5 §1 Universal or particular customs which have been in effect up to now but are contrary to the provisions of these canons and are reprobated in the canons of this Code, are completely suppressed, and they may not be allowed to revive in the future. Other contrary customs are also to be considered suppressed, unless the Code expressly provides otherwise, or unless they are centennial or immemorial: these latter may be tolerated if the Ordinary judges that, in the circumstances of place and person, they cannot be removed.
§2 Customs apart from the law, whether universal or particular, which have been in effect hitherto, are retained.
Can. 6 §1 When this Code comes into force, the following are abrogated:
1° the Code of Canon Law promulgated in 1917;
2° other laws, whether universal or particular, which are contrary to the provisions of this Code, unless it is otherwise expressly provided in respect of particular laws;
3° all penal laws enacted by the Apostolic See, whether universal or particular, unless they are resumed in this Code itself;
4° any other universal disciplinary laws concerning matters which are integrally reordered by this Code.
§2 To the extent that the canons of this Code reproduce the former law, they are to be assessed in the light also of canonical tradition.

LIBER  I
DE NORMIS GENERALIBUS

Can. 1 - Canones huius Codicis unam Ecclesiam latinam respiciunt.
Can. 2 - Codex plerumque non definit ritus, qui in actionibus liturgicis celebrandis sunt servandi; quare leges liturgicae hucusque vigentes vim suam retinent, nisi earum aliqua Codicis canonibus sit contraria.
Can. 3 - Codicis canones initas ab Apostolica Sede cum nationibus aliisve societatibus politicis conventiones non abrogant neque iis derogant; eadem idcirco perinde ac in praesens vigere pergent, contrariis huius Codicis praescriptis minime obstantibus.
Can. 4 - Iura quaesita, itemque privilegia quae, ab Apostolica Sede ad haec usque tempora personis sive physicis sive iuridicis concessa, in usu sunt nec revocata, integra manent, nisi huius Codicis canonibus expresse revocentur.
Can. 5 - § 1. Vigentes in praesens contra horum praescripta canonum consuetudines sive universales sive particulares, quae ipsis canonibus huius Codicis reprobantur, prorsus suppressae sunt, nec in posterum reviviscere sinantur; ceterae quoque suppressae habeantur, nisi expresse Codice aliud caveatur, aut centenariae sint vel immemorabiles, quae quidem, si de iudicio Ordinarii pro locorum ac personarum adiunctis submoveri nequeunt, tolerari possunt.
§ 2. Consuetudines praeter ius hucusque vigentes, sive universales sive particulares, servantur.
Can. 6 - § 1. Hoc Codice vim obtinente, abrogantur:
1° "Codex Iuris Canonici" anno 1917 promulgatus;
2° aliae quoque leges, sive universales sive particulares, praescriptis huius Codicis contrariae, nisi de particularibus aliud expresse caveatur;
3° leges poenales quaelibet, sive universales sive particulares a Sede Apostolica latae, nisi in ipso hoc Codice recipiantur;
4° ceterae quoque leges disciplinares universales materiam respicientes, quae hoc Codice ex integro ordinatur.
§ 2. Canones huius Codicis, quatenus ius vetus referunt, aestimandi sunt ratione etiam canonicae traditionis habita.

TITLE I: ECCLESIASTICAL LAWS

Can. 7 A law comes into being when it is promulgated.
Can. 8 §1 Universal ecclesiastical laws are promulgated by publication in the ‘Acta Apostolicae Sedis’, unless in particular cases another manner of promulgation has been prescribed. They come into force only on the expiry of three months from the date appearing on the particular issue of the ‘Acta’, unless because of the nature of the case they bind at once, or unless a shorter or a longer interval has been specifically and expressly prescribed m the law itself.
§2 Particular laws are promulgated in the manner determined by the legislator; they begin to oblige one month from the date of promulgation, unless a different period is prescribed in the law itself.
Can. 9 Laws concern matters of the future, not those of the past, unless provision is made in them for the latter by name.
Can. 10 Only those laws are to be considered invalidating or incapacitating which expressly prescribe that an act is null or that a person is incapable.
Can. 11 Merely ecclesiastical laws bind those who were baptised in the catholic Church or received into it, and who have a sufficient use of reason and, unless the law expressly provides otherwise, who have completed their seventh year of age.
Can. 12 §1 Universal laws are binding everywhere on all those for whom they were enacted.
§2 All those actually present in a particular territory in which certain universal laws are not in force, are exempt from those laws.
§3 Without prejudice to the provisions of Can. 13, laws enacted for a particular territory bind those for whom they were enacted and who have a domicile or quasi-domicile in that territory and are actually residing in it.
Can. 13 §1 Particular laws are not presumed to be personal, but rather territorial, unless the contrary is clear.
§2 Peregrini are not bound:
1° by the particular laws of their own territory while they are absent from it, unless the transgression of those laws causes harm in their own territory, or unless the laws are personal
2° by the laws of the territory in which they are present, except for those laws which take care of public order, or determine the formalities of legal acts, or concern immovable property located in the territory.
§3 Vagi are bound by both the universal and the particular laws which are in force in the place in which they are present.
Can. 14 Laws, even invalidating and incapacitating ones, do not oblige when there is a doubt of law. When there is a doubt of fact, however Ordinaries can dispense from them provided, if there is question of a reserved dispensation, it is one which the authority to whom it is reserved Is accustomed to grant.
Can. 15 §1 Ignorance or error concerning invalidating or incapacitating laws does not prevent the effect of those laws, unless it is expressly provided otherwise.
§2 Ignorance or error is not presumed about a law, a penalty, a fact concerning oneself, or a notorious fact concerning another. It is presumed about a fact concerning another which is not notorious, until the contrary is proved.
Can. 16 §1 Laws are authentically interpreted by the legislator and by that person to whom the legislator entrusts the power of authentic interpretation.
§2 An authentic interpretation which is presented by way of a law has the same force as the law itself, and must be promulgated. If it simply declares the sense of words which are certain in themselves, it has retroactive force. If it restricts or extends the law or resolves a doubt, it is not retroactive.
§3 On the other hand, an interpretation by way of a court judgement or of an administrative act in a particular case, does not have the force of law. It binds only those persons and affects only those matters for which it was given.
Can. 17 Ecclesiastical laws are to be understood according to the proper meaning of the words considered in their text and context. If the meaning remains doubtful or obscure, there must be recourse to parallel places, if there be any, to the purpose and circumstances of the law, and to the mind of the legislator.
Can. 18 Laws which prescribe a penalty, or restrict the free exercise of rights, or contain an exception to the law, are to be interpreted strictly.
Can. 19 If on a particular matter there is not an express provision of either universal or particular law, nor a custom, then, provided it is not a penal matter, the question is to be decided by taking into account laws enacted in similar matters, the general principles of law observed with canonical equity, the jurisprudence and practice of the Roman Curia, and the common and constant opinion of learned authors.
Can. 20 A later law abrogates or derogates from an earlier law, if it expressly so states, or if it is directly contrary to that law, or if it integrally reorders the whole subject matter of the earlier law. A universal law, however, does not derogate from a particular or from a special law, unless the law expressly provides otherwise.
Can. 21 In doubt, the revocation of a previous law is not presumed; rather, later laws are to be related to earlier ones and, as far as possible, harmonised with them.
Can. 22 When the law of the Church remits some issue to the civil law, the latter is to be observed with the same effects in canon law, insofar as it is not contrary to divine law, and provided it is not otherwise stipulated in canon law.

TITULUS I: DE LEGIBUS ECCLESIASTICIS

Can. 7 - Lex instituitur cum promulgatur.
Can. 8 - § 1. Leges ecclesiasticae universales promulgantur per editionem in Actorum Apostolicae Sedis commentario officiali, nisi in casibus particularibus alius promulgandi modus fuerit praescriptus, et vim suam exserunt tantum expletis tribus mensibus a die qui Actorum numero appositus est, nisi ex natura rei illico ligent aut in ipsa lege brevior aut longior vacatio specialiter et expresse fuerit statuta.
§ 2. Leges particulares promulgantur modo a legislatore determinato et obligare incipiunt post mensem a die promulgationis, nisi alius terminus in ipsa lege statuatur.
Can. 9 - Leges respiciunt futura, non praeterita, nisi nominatim in eisde praeteritis caveatur.
Can. 10 - Irritantes aut inhabilitantes eae tantum leges habendae sunt, quibus actum esse nullum aut inhabilem esse personam expresse statuitur.
Can. 11 - Legibus mere ecclesiasticis tenentur baptizati in Ecclesia catholica vel in eandem recepti, quique sufficienti rationis usu gaudent et, nisi aliud iure expresse caveatur, septimum aetatis annum expleverunt.
Can. 12 - § 1. Legibus universalibus tenentur ubique terrarum omnes pro quibus latae sunt.
§ 2. A legibus autem universalibus, quae in certo territorio non vigent, eximuntur omnes qui in eo territorio actu versantur. § 3. Legibus conditis pro peculiari territorio ii subiciuntur proquibus latae sunt, quique ibidem domicilium vel quasi-domicilium habent et simul actu commorantur, firmo praescripto Can. 13.
Can. 13 - § 1. Leges particulares non praesumuntur personales, sed territoriales nisi aliud constet.
§ 2. Peregrini non adstringuntur:
1° legibus particularibus sui territorii quamdiu ab eo absunt, nisi aut earum transgressio in proprio territorio noceat, aut leges sint personales;
2° neque legibus territorii in quo versantur, iis exceptis quae ordini publico consulunt, aut actuum sollemnia determinant, aut res immobiles in territorio sitas respiciunt.
§3. Vagi obligantur legibus tam universalibus quam particularibus quae vigent in loco in quo versantur.
Can. 14 - Leges, etiam irritantes et inhabilitantes, in dubio iuris non urgent; in dubio autem facti Ordinarii ab eis dispensare possunt, dummodo, si agatur de dispensatione reservata, concedi soleat ab auctoritate cui reservatur.
Can. 15 - § 1. Ignorantia vel error circa leges irritantes vel inhabilitantes earundem effectum non impediunt, nisi aliud expresse statuatur.
§2. Ignorantia vel error circa legem aut poenam aut circa factum proprium aut circa factum alienum notorium non praesumitur; circa factum alienum non notorium praesumitur, donec contrarium probetur.
Can. 16 - § 1. Leges authentice interpretatur legislator et is cui potestas authentice interpretandi fuerit ab eodem commissa.
§2. Interpretatio authentica per modum legis exhibita eandem vim habet ac lex ipsa et promulgari debet; si verba legis in se certa declaret tantum, valet retrorsum; si legem coarctet vel extendataut dubiam explicet, non retrotrahitur.
§3. Interpretatio autem per modum sententiae iudicialis aut actus administrativi in re peculiari, vim legis non habet et ligat tantum personas atque afficit res pro quibus data est.
Can. 17 - Leges ecclesiasticae intellegendae sunt secundum propriam verborum significationem in textu et contextu consideratam; quae si dubia et obscura manserit, ad locos parallelos, si qui sint, ad legis finem ac circumstantias et ad mentem legislatoris est recurrendum.
Can. 18 - Leges quae poenam statuunt aut liberum iurium exercitum coarctant aut exceptionem a lege continent, strictae subsunt interpretationi.
Can. 19 - Si certa de re desit expressum legis sive universalis sive particularis praescriptum; aut consuetudo, causa, nisi sit poenalis, dirimenda est attentis legibus latis in similibus, generalibus iuris principiis cum aequitate canonica servatis, iurisprudentia et praxi Curiae Romanae, communi constantique doctorum sententia.
Can. 20 - Lex posterior abrogat priorem aut eidem derogat, si id expresse edicat aut illi sit directe contraria, aut totam de integro ordinet legis prioris materiam; sed lex universalis minime derogat iuri particulari aut speciali, nisi aliud in iure expresse caveatur.
Can. 21 - In dubio revocatio legis praeexistentis non praesumitur, sed leges posteriores ad priores trahendae sunt et his, quantum fieri potest, conciliandae.
Can. 22 - Leges civiles ad quas ius Ecclesiae remittit, in iure canonico iisdem cum effectibus serventur, quatenus iuri divino non sint contrariae et nisi aliud iure canonico caveatur.

TITLE II: CUSTOM

Can. 23 A custom introduced by a community of the faithful has the force of law only if it has been approved by the legislator, in accordance with the following canons.
Can. 24 §1 No custom which is contrary to divine law can acquire the force of law.
§2 A custom which is contrary to or apart from canon law, cannot acquire the force of law unless it is reasonable; a custom which is expressly reprobated in the law is not reasonable.
Can. 25 No custom acquires the force of law unless it has been observed, with the intention of introducing a law, by a community capable at least of receiving a law.
Can. 26 Unless it has been specifically approved by the competent legislator, a custom which is contrary to the canon law currently in force, or is apart from the canon law, acquires the force of law only when it has been lawfully observed for a period of thirty continuous and complete years. Only a centennial or immemorial custom can prevail over a canonical law which carries a clause forbidding future customs.
Can. 27 Custom is the best interpreter of laws.
Can. 28 Without prejudice to the provisions of Can. 5, a custom, whether contrary to or apart from the law, is revoked by a contrary custom or law. But unless the law makes express mention of them, it does not revoke centennial or immemorial customs, nor does a universal law revoke particular customs.

TITULUS II: DE CONSUETUDINE

Can. 23 - Ea tantum consuetudo a communitate fidelium introducta vim legis habet, quae a legislatore approbata fuerit, ad normam canonum qui sequuntur.
Can. 24 - § 1. Nulla consuetudo vim legis obtinere potest, quae sit iuri divino contraria.
§2. Nec vim legis obtinere potest consuetudo contra aut praeter ius canonicum, nisi sit rationabilis; consuetudo autem quae in iure expresse reprobatur, non est rationabilis.
Can. 25 - Nulla consuetudo vim legis obtinet, nisi a communitate legis saltem recipiendae capaci cum animo iuris inducendi servata fuerit.
Can. 26 - Nisi a competendi legislatore specialiter fuerit probata, consuetudo vigenti iuri canonico contraria aut quae est praeter legem canonicam, vim legis obtinet tantum, si legitime per annos triginta continuos et completos servata fuerit; contra legem vero canonicam, quae clausulam contineat futuras consuetudines prohibentem, sola praevalere potest consuetudo centenaria aut immemorabilis.
Can. 27 - Consuetudo est optima legum interpres.
Can. 28 - Firmo praescripto Can. 5, consuetudo, sive contra sive praeter legem per contrariam consuetudinem aut legem revocatur; sed, nisi expressam de iis mentionem faciat, lex non revocat consuetudines centenarias aut immemorabiles, nec lex universalis consuetudines particulares.

TITLE III: GENERAL DECREES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Can. 29 General decrees, by which a competent legislator makes common provisions for a community capable of receiving a law, are true laws and are regulated by the provisions of the canons on laws.
Can. 30 A general decree, as in Can. 29, cannot be made by one who has only executive power, unless in particular cases this has been expressly authorised by the competent legislator in accordance with the law, and provided the conditions prescribed in the act of authorisation are observed.
Can. 31 §1 Within the limits of their competence, those who have executive power can issue general executory decrees, that is, decrees which define more precisely the manner of applying a law, or which urge the observance of laws.
§2 The provisions of Can. 8 are to be observed in regard to the promulgation, and to the interval before the coming into effect, of the decrees mentioned in §1.
Can. 32 General executory decrees which define the manner of application or urge the observance of laws, bind those who are bound by the laws.
Can. 33 §1 General executory decrees, even if published in directories or other such documents, do not derogate from the law, and any of their provisions which are contrary to the law have no force.
§2 These decrees cease to have force by explicit or implicit revocation by the competent authority, and by the cessation of the law for whose execution they were issued. They do not cease on the expiry of the authority of the person who issued them, unless the contrary is expressly provided.
Can. 34 §1 Instructions, namely, which set out the provisions of a law and develop the manner in which it is to be put into effect, are given for the benefit of those whose duty it is to execute the law, and they bind them in executing the law. Those who have executive power may, within the limits of their competence, lawfully publish such instructions.
§2 The regulations of an instruction do not derogate from the law, and if there are any which cannot be reconciled with the provisions of the law they have no force.
§3 Instructions cease to have force not only by explicit or implicit revocation by the competent authority who published them or by that authority’s superior, but also by the cessation of the law which they were designed to set out and execute.

TITULUS III: DE DECRETIS GENERALIBUS ET DE INSTRUCTIONIBUS

Can. 29 - Decreta generalia, quibus a legislatore competenti pro communitate legis recipiendae capaci communia feruntur praescripta, proprie sunt leges et reguntur praescriptis canonum de legibus.
Can. 30 - Qui potestate exsecutiva tantum gaudet, decretum generale, de quo in Can. 29, ferre non valet, nisi in casibus particularibus ad normam iuris id ipsi a legislatore competenti expresse fuerit concessum et servatis condicionibus in actu concessionis statutis.
Can. 31 - § 1. Decreta generalia exsecutoria, quibus nempe pressius determinantur modi in lege applicanda servandi aut legum observantia urgetur, ferre valent, intra fines suae competentiae, qui potestate gaudent exsecutiva.
§2. Ad decretorum promulgationem et vacationem quod attinet, de quibus in § 1, serventur praescripta Can. 8.
Can. 32 - Decreta generalia exsecutoria eos obligant qui tenentur legibus, quarum eadem decreta modos applicationis determinant aut observantiam urgent.
Can. 33 - § 1. Decreta generalia exsecutoria, etiamsi edantur in directoriis aliusve nominis documentis, non derogant legibus, et eorum praescripta quae legibus sint contraria omni vi carent.
§2. Eadem vim habere desinunt revocatione explicita aut implicita ab auctoritate competenti facta, necnon cessante lege ad cuius exsecutionem data sunt; non autem cessant resoluto iure statuentis nisi contrarium expresse caveatur.
Can. 34 - § 1. Instructiones, quae nempe legum praescripta declarant atque rationes in iisdem exsequendis servandas evolunt et determinant, ad usum eorum dantur quorum est curare ut leges exsecutioni mandentur, eosque in legum exsecutione obligant; eas legitime edunt, intra fines suae competentiae, qui potestate exsecutiva gaudent.
§2. Instructionum ordinationes legibus non derogant, et si quae cum legum praescriptis componi nequeant, omni vi carent.
§3. Vim habere desinunt instructiones non tantum revocatione explicita aut implicita auctoritatis competentis, quae eas edidit, eiusve superioris, sed etiam cessante lege ad quam declarandam vel exsecutioni mandandam datae sunt.

TITLE IV: SINGULAR ADMINISTRATIVE ACTS

CHAPTER I : COMMON NORMS

Can. 35 Within the limits of his or her competence, one who has executive power can issue a singular administrative act, either by decree or precept, or by rescript, without prejudice to Can. 76 §1.
Can. 36 §1 An administrative act is to be understood according to the proper meaning of the words and the common manner of speaking. In doubt, a strict interpretation is to be given to those administrative acts which concern litigation or threaten or inflict penalties, or restrict the rights of persons, or harm the acquired rights of others, or run counter to a law in favour of private persons; all other administrative acts are to be widely interpreted.
§2 Administrative acts must not be extended to cases other than those expressly stated.
Can. 37 An administrative act which concerns the external forum is to be effected in writing; likewise, if it requires an executor, the act of execution is to be in writing.
Can. 38 An administrative act, even if there is question of a rescript given Motu proprio, has no effect in so far as it harms the acquired right of another, or is contrary to a law or approved custom, unless the competent authority has expressly added a derogatory clause.
Can. 39 Conditions attached to an administrative act are considered to concern validity only when they are expressed by the particles ‘if’, ‘unless’, ‘provided that’.
Can. 40 The executor of any administrative act cannot validly carry out this office before receiving the relevant document and establishing its authenticity and integrity, unless prior notice of this document has been conveyed to the executor on the authority of the person who issued the administrative act.
Can. 41 The executor of an administrative act to whom the task of execution only is entrusted, cannot refuse to execute it, unless it is quite clear that the act itself is null, or that it cannot for some other grave reason be sustained, or that the conditions attached to the administrative act itself have not been fulfilled. If, however, the execution of the administrative act would appear to be inopportune, by reason of the circumstances of person or place, the executor is to desist from the execution, and immediately inform the person who issued the act.
Can. 42 The executor of an administrative act must proceed in accordance with the mandate. If, however, the executor has not fulfilled essential conditions attached to the document, or has not observed the substantial form of procedure, the execution is invalid.
Can. 43 The executor of an administrative act may in his prudent judgement substitute another for himself, unless substitution has been forbidden, or he has been deliberately chosen as the only person to be executor, or a specific person has been designated as substitute; however, in these cases the executor may commit the preparatory acts to another.
Can. 44 An administrative act can also be executed by the executor’s successor in office, unless the first had been chosen deliberately as the only person to be executor.
Can. 45 If there has been any error in the execution of an administrative act, the executor may execute it again.
Can. 46 An administrative act does not cease on the expiry of the authority of the person issuing it, unless the law expressly provides otherwise.
Can. 47 The revocation of an administrative act by another administrative act of the competent authority takes effect only from the moment at which the person to whom it was issued is lawfully notified.

TITULUS IV: DE ACTIBUS ADMINISTRATIVIS SINGULARIBUS

CAPUT I: NORMAE COMMUNES

Can. 35 - Actus administrativus singularis, sive est decretum aut praeceptum sive est rescriptum, elici potest, intra fines suae competentiae, abeo qui potestate exsecutiva gaudet, firmo praescripto Can. 76, § 1.
Can. 36 - § 1. Actus administrativus intellegendus est secundum propriam verborum significationem et communem loquendi usum; in dubio, qui ad lites referuntur aut ad poenas comminandas infligendasve attinent aut personae iura aliis quaesita laedunt aut adversantur legi incommodum privatorum, strictae subsunt interpretationi; ceteri omnes, latae.
§2. Actus administrativus non debet ad alios casus praeter expressos extendi.
Can. 37 - Actus administrativus, qui forum externum respicit, scripto est consignandus; item, si fit in forma commissoria, actus huius exsecutionis.
Can. 38 - Actus administrativus, etiam si agatur de rescripto "Motu proprio" dato, effectu caret quatenus ius quaesitum laedit aut legi consuetudinive probatae contrarium est, nisi auctoritas competens expresse clausulam derogatoriam addiderit.
Can. 39 - Condiciones in actu administrativo tunc tantum ad validitatem censentur adiectae, cum per particulas "si," "nisi," "dummodo" exprimuntur.
Can. 40 - Exsecutor alicuius actus administrativi invalide suo munere fungitur, antequam litteras receperit earumque authenticitatem et integritatem recognoverit, nisi praevia earundem notitia ad ipsum auctoritate eundem actum edentis transmissa fuerit.
Can. 41 - Exsecutor actus administrativi cui committitur merum exsecutionis ministerium, exsecutionem huius actus denegare non potest, nisi manifesto appareat eundem actum esse nullum aut alia ex gravi causa sustineri non posse aut condiciones in ipso actu administrativo appositas non esse adimpletas; si tamen actus administrativi exsecutio adiunctorum personae aut loci ratione videatur inopportuna, exsecutor exsecutionem intermittat; quibus in casibus statim certiorem faciat auctoritatem quae actum edidit.
Can. 42 - Exsecutor actus administrativi procedere debet ad mandati normam; si autem condiciones essentiales in litteris appositas non impleverit ac substantialem procedendi formam non servaverit, irrita est exsecutio.
Can. 43 - Actus administrativi exsecutor potest alium pro suo prudenti arbitrio sibi substituere, nisi substitutio prohibita fuerit, aut electa industria personae, aut substituti persona praefinita; hisce autem in casibus exsecutori licet alteri committere actus praeparatorios.
Can. 44 - Actus administrativus exsecutioni mandari potest etiam ab exsecutoris successore in officio, nisi fuerit electa industria personae.
Can. 45 - Exsecutori fas est, si quoquo modo in actus administrativi exsecutione erraverit, eundem actum iterum exsecutioni mandare.
Can. 46 - Actus administrativus non cessat resoluto iure statuentis, nisi aliud iure expresse caveatur.
Can. 47 - Revocatio actus administrativi per alium actum administrativum auctoritatis competentis effectum tantummodo obtinet a momento, quo legitime notificatur personae pro qua datus est.

CHAPTER II : SINGULAR DECREES AND PRECEPTS

Can. 48 A singular decree is an administrative act issued by a competent executive authority, whereby in accordance with the norms of law a decision is given or a provision made for a particular case; of its nature this decision or provision does not presuppose that a petition has been made by anyone.
Can. 49 A singular precept is a decree by which an obligation is directly and lawfully imposed on a specific person or persons to do or to omit something, especially in order to urge the observance of a law.
Can. 50 Before issuing a singular decree, the person in authority is to seek the necessary information and proof and, as far as possible, is to consult those whose rights could be harmed.
Can. 51 A decree is to be issued in writing. When it is a decision, it should express, at least in summary form, the reasons for the decision.
Can. 52 A singular decree has effect in respect only of those matters it determines and of those persons to whom it was issued; it obliges such persons everywhere, unless it is otherwise clear.
Can. 53 If decrees are contrary one to another, where specific matters are expressed, the specific prevails over the general; if both are equally specific or equally general, the one later in time abrogates the earlier insofar as it is contrary to it.
Can. 54 §1 A singular decree whose application is entrusted to an executor, has effect from the moment of execution; otherwise, from the moment when it is made known to the person on the authority of the one who issued it.
§2 For a singular decree to be enforceable, it must be made known by a lawful document in accordance with the law.
Can. 55 Without prejudice to Cann. 37 and 51, whenever a very grave reason prevents the handing over of the written text of a decree, the decree is deemed to have been made known if it is read to the person to whom it is directed, in the presence of a notary or two witnesses a record of the occasion is to be drawn up and signed by all present.
Can. 56 A decree is deemed to have been made known if the person to whom it is directed has been duly summoned to receive or to hear the decree, and without a just reason has not appeared or has refused to sign.
Can. 57 §1 Whenever the law orders a decree to be issued, or when a person who is concerned lawfully requests a decree or has recourse to obtain one, the competent authority is to provide for the situation within three months of having received the petition or recourse, unless a different period of time is prescribed by law.
§2 If this period of time has expired and the decree has not yet been given, then as far as proposing a further recourse is concerned, the reply is presumed to be negative.
§3 A presumed negative reply does not relieve the competent authority of the obligation of issuing the decree, and, in accordance with Can. 128, of repairing any harm done.
Can. 58 §1 A singular decree ceases to have force when it is lawfully revoked by the competent authority, or when the law ceases for whose execution it was issued.
§2 A singular precept, which was not imposed by a lawful document, ceases on the expiry of the authority of the person who issued it.

CAPUT II: DE DECRETIS ET PRAECEPTIS SINGULARIBUS

Can. 48 - Decretum singulare intellegitur actus administrativus a competenti auctoritate exsecutiva editus, quo secundum iuris normas pro casu particulari datur decisio aut fit provisio, quae natura sua petitionem ab aliquo factam non supponunt.
Can. 49 - Praeceptum singulare est decretum quo personae aut personis determinatis aliquid faciendum aut omittendum directe et legitime imponitur, praesertim ad legis observantiam urgendam.
Can. 50 - Antequam decretum singulare ferat, auctoritas necessarias notitias et probationes exquirat, atque, quantum fieri potest, eos audiat quorum iura laedi possint.
Can. 51 - Decretum scripto feratur expressis, saltem summarie, si agaturde decisione, motivis.
Can. 52 - Decretum singulare vim habet tantum quoad res de quibus datum est; eas vero ubique obligat, nisi aliud constet.
Can. 53 - Si decreta inter se sint contraria, peculiare, in iis quae peculariter exprimuntur, praevalet generali; si aeque sint pecularia aut generalia, posterius tempore obrogat priori, quatenus ei contrarium est.
Can. 54 - § 1. Decretum singulare, cuius applicatio committitur exsecutori, effectum habet a momento exsecutionis; secus a momento quo personae auctoritate ipsius decernentis intimatur.
§ 2. Decretum singulare, ut urgeri possit, legitimo documento ad normam iuris intimandum est.
Can. 55 - Firmo praescripto Cann. 37 et 51 cum gravissima ratio obstet ne scriptus decreti textus tradatur, decretum intimatum habetur si ei, cui destinatur, coram notario vel duobus testibus legatur, actis redactis, ab omnibus praesentibus subscribendis.
Can. 56 - Decretum pro intimato habetur, si is cui destinatur, rite vocatus ad decretum accipiendum vel audiendum, sine iusta causa non comparuerit vel subscribere recusaverit.
Can. 57 - § 1. Quoties lex iubeat decretum ferri vel ab eo, cuius interest, petitio vel recursus ad decretum obtinendum legitime proponatur, auctoritas competens intra tres menses a recepta petitione vel recursu provideat, nisi alius terminus lege praescribatur.
§ 2. Hoc termino transacto, si decretum nondum datum fuerit, responsum praesumitur negativum, ad propositionem ulterioris recursus quod attinet.
§ 3. Responsum negativum praesumptum non eximit competentem auctoritatem ab obligatione decretum ferendi, immo et damnum forte illatum, ad normam Can. 128, reparandi.
Can. 58 - § 1. Decretum singulare vim habere desinit legitima revocatione ab auctoritate competendi facta necnon cessante lege ad cuius exsecutionem datum est.
§ 2. Praeceptum singulare, legitimo documento non impositum, cessat resoluto iure praecipientis.

CHAPTER III : RESCRIPTS

Can. 59 §1 A rescript is an administrative act issued in writing by a competent authority, by which of its very nature a privilege, dispensation or other favour is granted at someone’s request.
§2 Unless it is otherwise established, provisions laid down concerning rescripts apply also to the granting of permission and to the granting of favours by word of mouth.
Can. 60 Any rescript can be obtained by all who are not expressly prohibited.
Can. 61 Unless it is otherwise established, a rescript can be obtained for another, even without that person’s consent, and it is valid before its acceptance, without prejudice to contrary clauses.
Can. 62 A rescript in which there is no executor, has effect from the moment the document was issued; the others have effect from the moment of execution.
Can. 63 §1 Except where there is question of a rescript which grants a favour Motu proprio, subreption, that is, the withholding of the truth, renders a rescript invalid if the request does not express that which, according to canonical law, style and practice, must for validity be expressed.
§2 Obreption, that is, the making of a false statement, renders a rescript invalid if not even one of the motivating reasons submitted is true.
§3 In rescripts of which there is no executor, the motivating reason must be true at the time the rescript is issued; in the others, at the time of execution.
Can. 64 Without prejudice to the right of the Penitentiary for the internal forum, a favour refused by any department of the Roman Curia cannot validly be granted by another department of the same Curia, or by any other competent authority below the Roman Pontiff, without the approval of the department which was first approached.
Can. 65 §1 Without prejudice to the provisions of §§2 and 3, no one is to seek from another Ordinary a favour which was refused by that person’s proper Ordinary, unless mention is made of the refusal. When the refusal is mentioned, the Ordinary is not to grant the favour unless he has learned from the former Ordinary the reasons for the refusal.
§2 A favour refused by a Vicar general or an episcopal Vicar cannot be validly granted by another Vicar of the same Bishop, even when he has learned from the Vicar who refused the reasons for the refusal.
§3 A favour refused by a Vicar general or an episcopal Vicar and later, without any mention being made of this refusal, obtained from the diocesan Bishop, is invalid. A favour refused by the diocesan Bishop cannot, without the Bishop’s consent, validly be obtained from his Vicar general or episcopal Vicar, even though mention is made of the refusal.
Can. 66 A rescript is not rendered invalid because of an error in the name of the person to whom it is given or by whom it is issued, or of the place in which such person resides, or of the matter concerned, provided that in the judgement of the Ordinary there is no doubt about the person or the matter in question.
Can. 67 §1 If it should happen that two contrary rescripts are obtained for one and the same thing, where specific matters are expressed, the specific prevails over the general.
§2 If both are equally specific or equally general, the one earlier in time prevails over the later, unless in the later one there is an express mention of the earlier, or unless the person who first obtained the rescript has not used it by reason of deceit or of notable personal negligence.
§3 In doubt as to whether a rescript is invalid or not, recourse is to be made to the issuing authority.
Can. 68 A rescript of the Apostolic See in which there is no executor must be presented to the Ordinary of the person who obtains it only when this is prescribed in the rescript, or when there is question of public affairs, or when it is necessary to have the conditions verified.
Can. 69 A rescript for whose presentation no time is determined, may be submitted to the executor at any time, provided there is no fraud or deceit.
Can. 70 If in a rescript the very granting of the favour is entrusted to the executor, it is a matter for the executor’s prudent judgement and conscience to grant or to refuse the favour.
Can. 71 No one is obliged to use a rescript granted in his or her favour only, unless bound by a canonical obligation from another source to do so .
Can. 72 Rescripts granted by the Apostolic See which have expired, can for a just reason be extended by the diocesan Bishop, but once only and not beyond three months.
Can. 73 No rescripts are revoked by a contrary law, unless it is otherwise provided in the law itself.
Can. 74 Although one who has been granted a favour orally may use it in the internal forum, that person is obliged to prove the favour for the external forum whenever this is lawfully requested.
Can. 75 If a rescript contains a privilege or a dispensation, the provision of the following canons are also to be observed.

CAPUT III : DE RESCRIPTIS

Can. 59 - § 1. Rescriptum intellegitur actus administrativus a competenti auctoritate exsecutiva in scriptis elicitus, quo suapte natura, ad petitionem alicuius, conceditur privilegium, dispensatio aliave gratia.
§ 2. Quae de rescriptis statuuntur praescripta, etiam de licentiae concessione necnon de concessionibus gratiarum vivae vocis oraculo valent, nisi aliud constet.
Can. 60 - Rescriptum quodlibet impetrari potest ab omnibus qui expresse non prohibentur.
Can. 61 - Nisi aliud constet, rescriptum impetari potest pro alio, etiam praeter eius assensum, et valet ante eiusdem acceptationem, salvis clausulis contrariis.
Can. 62 - Rescriptum in quo nullus datur exsecutor, effectum habet a momento quo datae sunt litterae; cetera, a momento exsecutionis.
Can. 63 - § 1. Validitati rescripti obstat subreptio seu reticentia veri, si in precibus expressa non fuerint quae secundum legem, stilum et praxim canonicam ad validitatem sunt experimenda, nisi agatur de rescripto gratiae, quod "Motu proprio" darum sit.
§ 2. Item validitati rescripti obstat obreptio seu exposito falsi, sine una quidem causa motiva proposita sit vera.
§ 3. Causa motiva in rescriptis quorum nullus est exsecutor, vera sit oportet tempore quo rescriptum datum est; in ceteris, tempore exsecutionis.
Can. 64 - Salvo iure Paenitentiariae pro foro interno, gratia a quovis dicasterio Romanae Curiae denegata, valide ab alio eiusdem Curiae dicasterio aliave competenti auctoritate infra Romanum Pontificem concedi nequit, sine assensu dicasterii quocum agi coeptum est.
Can. 65 - § 1. Salvis praescriptis §§ 2 et 3, nemo gratiam a proprio Ordinario denegatam ab alio Ordinario petat, nisi facta denegationis mentione; Ordinarius gratiam ne concedat, nisi habitis a priore Ordinario denegationis rationibus.
§ 2. Gratia a Vicario generali vel a Vicario episcopali denegata, ab alio Vicario eiusdem Episcopi, etiam habitis a Vicario denegante denegationis rationibus, valide concedi nequit.
§ 3. Gratia a Vicario generali vel a Vicario episcopali denegata et postea, nulla facta huius denegationis mentione, ab Episcopo dioecesano impetrata, invalida est; gratia autem ab Episcopo dioecesano denegata nequit valide, etiam facta denegationis mentione, ab eius Vicario generali vel Vicario episcopali, non consentiente Episcopo, impetrari.
Can. 66 - Rescriptum non fit irritum ob errorem in nomine personae cui datur vel a qua editur, aut loci in quo ipsa residet, aut rei dequa agitur, dummodo iudicio Ordinarii nulla sit de ipsa persona vel de re dubiatio.
Can. 67 - § 1. Si contingat ut de una eademque re duo rescripta inter se contraria impetrentur, peculiare, in iis quae peculiariter exprimuntur, praevalet generali.
§ 2. Si sint aeque peculiaria aut generalia, prius tempore praevalet posteriori, nisi in altero fiat mentio expressa de priore, aut nisi prior impetrator dolo vel notabili neglegentia sua rescripto usus non fuerit.
§ 3. In dubio num rescriptum irritum sit necne, recurratur ad rescribentem.
Can. 68 - Rescriptum Sedis Apostolicae in quo nullus datur exsecutor, tunc tantum debet Ordinario impetrantis praesentari, cum id in iisdem litteris praecipitur, aut de rebus agitur publicis, aut comprobari condiciones oportet.
Can. 69 - Rescriptum, cuius praesentationi nullum est definitum tempus, potest exsecutori exhiberi quovis tempore, modo absit fraus et dolus.
Can. 70 - Si in rescripto ipsa concessio exsecutori committatur, ipsius est pro suo prudenti arbitrio et conscientia gratiam concedere vel denegare.
Can. 71 - Nemo uti tenetur rescripto in sui dumtaxat favorem concesso, nisi aliunde obligatione canonica ad hoc teneatur.
Can. 72 - Rescripta ab Apostolica Sede concessa, quae exspiraverint, ab Episcopo dioecesano iusta de causa semel prorogari possunt, non tamen ultra tres menses.
Can. 73 - Per legem contrariam nulla rescripta revocantur, nisi aliud in ipsa lege caveatur.
Can. 74 - Quamvis gratia oretenus sibi concessa quis in foro interno uti possit, tenentur illam pro foro externo probare, quoties id legitime ab eo petatur.
Can. 75 - Si rescriptum contineat privilegium vel dispensationem, serventur insuper praescripta canonum qui sequuntur.

CHAPTER IV : PRIVILEGES

Can. 76 §1 A privilege is a favour given by a special act for the benefit of certain persons, physical or juridical; it can be granted by the legislator, and by an executive authority to whom the legislator has given this power.
§2 Centennial or immemorial possession of a privilege gives rise to the presumption that it has been granted.
Can. 77 A privilege is to be interpreted in accordance with Can. 36 §1. The interpretation must, however, always be such that the beneficiaries of the privilege do in fact receive some favour.
Can. 78 §1 A privilege is presumed to be perpetual, unless the contrary is proved.
§2 A personal privilege, namely one which attaches to a person, is extinguished with the person.
§3 A real privilege ceases on the total destruction of the thing or place; a local privilege, however, revives if the place is restored within fifty years.
Can. 79 Without prejudice to Can. 46, a privilege ceases by revocation on the part of the competent authority in accordance with Can. 47.
Can. 80 §1 No privilege ceases by renunciation unless this has been accepted by the competent authority.
§2 Any physical person may renounce a privilege granted in his or her favour only.
§3 Individual persons cannot renounce a privilege granted to a juridical person, or granted by reason of the dignity of a place or thing. Nor can a juridical person renounce a privilege granted to it, if the renunciation would be prejudicial to the Church or to others.
Can. 81 A privilege is not extinguished on the expiry of the authority of the person who granted it, unless it was given with the clause ‘at our pleasure’ or another equivalent expression.
Can. 82 A privilege which does not burden others does not lapse through non use or contrary use; if it does cause an inconvenience for others, it is lost if lawful prescription intervenes.
Can. 83 §1 Without prejudice to Can. 142 §2, a privilege ceases on the expiry of the time or the completion of the number of cases for which it was granted.
§2 It ceases also if in the judgement of the competent authority circumstances are so changed with the passage of time that it has become harmful, or that its use becomes unlawful.
Can. 84 A person who abuses a power given by a privilege deserves to be deprived of the privilege itself. Accordingly, after a warning which has been in vain, the Ordinary, if it was he who granted it, is to deprive the person of the privilege which he or she is gravely abusing; if the privilege has been granted by the Apostolic See, the Ordinary is obliged to make the matter known to it.

CAPUT IV : DE PRIVILEGIIS

Can. 76 - § 1. Privilegium, seu gratia in favorem certarum personarum sive physicarum sive iuridicarum per peculiarem actum facta, concedi potest a legislatore necnon ab auctoritate exsecutiva cui legislator hanc potestatem concesserit.
§ 2. Possessio centenaria vel immemorabilis praesumptionem inducit concessi privilegii.
Can. 77 - Privilegium interpretandum est ad normam Can. 36, § 1; sed ea semper adhibenda est interpretatio, qua privilegio aucti aliquam revera gratiam consequantur.
Can. 78 - § 1. Privilegium praesumitur perpetuum, nisi contrarium probetur.
§ 2. Privilegium personale, quod scilicet personam sequitur, cum ipsa extinguitur.
§ 3. Privilegium reale cessat per absolutum rei vel loci interitum; privilegium vero locale, si locus intra quinquaginta annos restituatur, reviviscit.
Can. 79 - Privilegium cessat per revocationem competentis auctoritatis ad normam Can. 47, firmo praescripto Can. 81.
Can. 80 - § 1. Nullum privilegium per renuntiationem cessat, nisi haec a competendi auctoritate fuerit accepta.
§ 2. Privilegio in sui dumtaxat favorem concesso quaevis persona physica renuntiare potest.
§ 3. Privilegio concesso alicui personae iuridicae, aut ratione dignitatis loci vel rei, singulae personae renuntiare nequeunt; nec ipsi personae iuridicae integrum est privilegio sibi concesso renuntiare, si renuntiatio cedat in Ecclesiae praeiudicium.
Can. 81 - Resoluto iure concedentis, privilegium non extinguitur, nisi datum fuerit cum clausula "ad beneplacitum nostrum" vel alia aequipollenti.
Can. 82 - Per non usum vel per usum contrarium privilegium aliis haud onerosum non cessat; quod vero in aliorum gravamen cedit, amittitur, si accedat legitima praescriptio.
Can. 83 - § 1. Cessat privilegium elapso tempore vel expleto numero casuum pro quibus concessum fuit, firmo praescripto Can. 142, § 2.
§ 2. Cessat quoque, si temporis progressu rerum adiuncta ita iudicio auctoritatis competentis immutata sint, ut noxium evaserit aut eius usus illicitus fiat.
Can. 84 - Qui abutitur potestate sibi ex privilegio data, privilegio ipso privari meretur; quare, Ordinarius, frustra monito privilegiario, graviter abutentem privet privilegio quod ipse concessit; quod si privilegium concessum fuerit ab Apostolica Sede, eandem Ordinarius certiorem facere tenetur.

CHAPTER V : DISPENSATIONS

Can. 85 A dispensation, that is, the relaxation of a merely ecclesiastical law in a particular case, can be granted, within the limits of their competence, by those who have executive power, and by those who either explicitly or implicitly have the power of dispensing, whether by virtue of the law itself or by lawful delegation.
Can. 86 In so far as laws define those elements which are essentially constitutive of institutes or of juridical acts, they are not subject to dispensation.
Can. 87 §1 Whenever he judges that it contributes to their spiritual welfare, the diocesan Bishop can dispense the faithful from disciplinary laws, both universal laws and those particular laws made by the supreme ecclesiastical authority for his territory or his subjects. He cannot dispense from procedural laws or from penal laws, nor from those whose dispensation is specially reserved to the Apostolic See or to some other authority.
§2 If recourse to the Holy See is difficult, and at the same time there is danger of grave harm in delay, any Ordinary can dispense from these laws, even if the dispensation is reserved to the Holy See, provided the dispensation is one which the Holy See customarily grants in the same circumstances, and without prejudice to Can. 291.
Can. 88 The local Ordinary can dispense from diocesan laws and, whenever he judges that it contributes to the spiritual welfare of the faithful, from laws made by a plenary or a provincial Council or by the Episcopal Conference.
Can. 89 Parish priests and other priests or deacons cannot dispense from universal or particular law unless this power is expressly granted to them.
Can. 90 §1 A dispensation from an ecclesiastical law is not to be given without a just and reasonable cause, taking into account the circumstances of the case and the importance of the law from which the dispensation is given; otherwise the dispensation is unlawful and, unless given by the legislator or his superior, it is also invalid.
§2 A dispensation given in doubt about the sufficiency of its reason is valid and lawful.
Can. 91 In respect of their subjects, even if these are outside the territory, those who have the power of dispensing can exercise it even if they themselves are outside their territory; unless the contrary is expressly provided, they can exercise it also in respect of peregrini actually present in the territory; they can exercise it too in respect of themselves.
Can. 92 A strict interpretation is to be given not only to a dispensation in accordance with Can. 36 §1, but also to the very power of dispensing granted for a specific case.
Can. 93 A dispensation capable of successive applications ceases in the same way as a privilege. It also ceases by the certain and complete cessation of the motivating reason.

CAPUT V: DE DISPENSATIONIBUS

Can. 85 - Dispensatio, seu legis mere ecclesiasticae in casu particulari relaxatio, concedi potest ab iis qui potestate gaudent exsecutiva intra limites suae competentiae, necnon ab illis quibus potestas dispensandi explicite vel implicite competit sive ipso iure sive vi legitimae delegationis.
Can. 86 - Dispensationi obnoxiae non sunt leges quatenus ea definiunt, quae institutorum aut actuum iuridicorum essentialiter sunt constitutiva.
Can. 87 - § 1. Episcopus dioecesanus fideles, quoties id ad eorundem spirituale bonum conferre iudicet, dispensare valet in legibus disciplinaribus tam universalibus quam particularibus pro suo territorio vel suis subditis a suprema Ecclesiae auctoritate latis, non tamen in legibus processualibus aut poenalibus, nec in iis quarum dispensatio Apostolicae Sedis aliive auctoritati specialiter reservatur.
§ 2. Si difficilis sit recursus ad Sanctam Sedem et simul in mora sit periculum gravis damni, Ordinarius quicumque dispensare valet in iisdem legibus, etiam si dispensatio reservatur Sanctae Sedi, dummodo agatur de dispensatione quam ipsa in iisdem adiunctis concedere solet, firmo praescripto Can. 291.
Can. 88 - Ordinarius loci in legibus dioecesanis atque, quoties id ad fidelium bonum conferre iudicet, in legibus a Concilio plenario vel provinciali aut ab Episcoporum conferentia latis dispensare valet.
Can. 89 - Parochus aliique presbyteri aut diaconi a lege universali et particulari dispensare non valent, nisi haec potestas ipsis expresse concessa sit.
Can. 90 - § 1. A lege ecclesiastica ne dispensetur sine iusta et rationabili causa, habita ratione adiuctorum casus et gravitatis legis a qua dispensatur; alias dispensatio illicita est, nisi ab ipso legislatore eiusve superiore data sit, etiam invalida.
§ 2. Dispensatio in dubio de sufficientia causae valide et licite conceditur.
Can. 91 - Qui gaudet potestate dispensandi eam exercere valet, etiam extra territorium exsistens, in subditos, licet a territorio absentes, atque, nisi contrarium expresse statuatur, in peregrinos quoque in territorio actu degentes, necnon erga seipsum.
Can. 92 - Strictae subest interpretationi non solum dispensatio ad normam Can. 36, § 1, sed ipsamet potestas dispensandi ad certum casum concessa.
Can. 93 - Dispensatio quae tractum habet successivum cessat iisdem modis quibus privilegium, necnon certa ac totali cessatione causae motivae.

TITLE V: STATUTES AND ORDINANCES

Can. 94 §1 Statutes properly so called are regulations which are established in accordance with the law in aggregates of persons or of things, whereby the purpose, constitution, governance and manner of acting of these bodies are defined.
§2 The statutes of an aggregate of persons bind only those persons who are lawfully members of it; the statutes of an aggregate of things bind those who direct it.
§3 The provisions of statutes which are established and promulgated by virtue of legislative power, are regulated by the provisions of the canons concerning laws.
Can. 95 §1 Ordinances are rules or norms to be observed both in assemblies of persons, whether these assemblies are convened by ecclesiastical authority or are freely convoked by the faithful, and in other celebrations: they define those matters which concern their constitution, direction and agenda.
§2 In assemblies or celebrations, those who take part are bound by these rules of ordinance.

TITULUS V: DE STATUTIS ET ORDINIBUS

Can. 94 - § 1. Statuta, sensu proprio, sunt ordinationes quae in universitatibus sive personarum sive rerum ad normam iuris conduntur, et quibus definiuntur earundem finis, constitutio, regimen atque agendi rationes.
§ 2. Statutis universitatis personarum obligantur solae personae quae legitime eiusdem membra sunt; statutis rerum universitatis, iiqui eiusdem moderamen curant.
§ 3. Quae statutorum praescripta vi potestatis legislativae condita et promulgata sunt, reguntur praescriptis canonum de legibus.
Can. 95 - § 1. Ordines sunt regulae seu normae quae servari debent in personarum conventibus, sive ab auctoritate ecclesiastica indictis sive a christifidelibus libere convocatis, necnon aliis celebrationibus, et quibus definiuntur quae ad constitutionem, moderamen et rerum agendarum rationes pertinent.
§ 2. In conventibus celebrationibusve, ii regulis ordinis tenentur, qui in iisdem partem habent.

TITLE VI: PHYSICAL AND JURIDICAL PERSONS

CHAPTER I : THE CANONICAL STATUS OF PHYSICAL PERSONS

Can. 96 By baptism one is incorporated into the Church of Christ and constituted a person in it, with the duties and the rights which, in accordance with each one’s status, are proper to christians, in so far as they are in ecclesiastical communion and unless a lawfully issued sanction intervenes.
Can. 97 §1 A person who has completed the eighteenth year of age, has attained majority; below this age, a person is a minor.
§2 A minor who has not completed the seventh year of age is called an infant and is considered incapable of personal responsibility; on completion of the seventh year, however, the minor is presumed to have the use of reason.
Can. 98 §1 A person who has attained majority has the full exercise of his or her rights.
§2 In the exercise of rights a minor remains subject to parents or guardians, except for those matters in which by divine or by canon law minors are exempt from such authority. In regard to the appointment of guardians and the determination of their powers, the provisions of civil law are to be observed, unless it is otherwise provided in canon law or unless, in specific cases and for a just reason, the diocesan Bishop has decided that the matter is to be catered for by the appointment of another guardian.
Can. 99 Whoever habitually lacks the use of reason is considered as incapable of personal responsibility and is regarded as an infant.
Can. 100 A person is said to be: an incola, in the place where he or she has a domicile; an advena, in the place of quasi-domicile; a peregrinus, if away from the domicile or quasi-domicile which is still retained; a vagus, if the person has nowhere a domicile or quasi-domicile.
Can. 101 §1 The place of origin of a child, and even of a neophyte, is that in which the parents had a domicile or, lacking that, a quasi-domicile when the child was born; if the parents did not have the same domicile or quasi-domicile, it is that of the mother.
§2 In the case of a child of vagi, the place of origin is the actual place of birth; in the case of a foundling, it is the place where it was found.
Can. 102 §1 Domicile is acquired by residence in the territory of a parish, or at least of a diocese, which is either linked to the intention of remaining there permanently if nothing should occasion its withdrawal, or in fact protracted for a full five years.
§2 Quasi-domicile is acquired by residence in the territory of a parish, or at least of a diocese, which is either linked to the intention of remaining there for three months if nothing should occasion its withdrawal, or in fact protracted for three months.
§3 Domicile or quasi-domicile in the territory of a parish is called parochial; in the territory of a diocese, even if not in a parish, it is called diocesan.
Can. 103 Members of religious institutes and of societies of apostolic life acquire a domicile in the place where the house to which they belong is situated. They acquire a quasi-domicile in the house in which, in accordance with Can. 102 §2, they reside.
Can. 104 Spouses are to have a common domicile or quasi-domicile. By reason of lawful separation or for some other just reason, each may have his or her own domicile or quasi-domicile.
Can. 105 §1 A minor necessarily retains the domicile or quasi-domicile of the person to whose authority the minor is subject. A minor who is no longer an infant can acquire a quasi-domicile of his or her own and, if lawfully emancipated in accordance with the civil law, a domicile also.
§2 One who for a reason other than minority is lawfully entrusted to the guardianship or tutelage of another, has the domicile and quasi-domicile of the guardian or curator.
Can. 106 Domicile or quasi- domicile is lost by departure from the place with the intention of not returning, without prejudice to the provisions of Can. 105.
Can. 107 §1 Both through domicile and through quasi-domicile everyone acquires his or her own parish priest and Ordinary.
§2 The proper parish priest or Ordinary of a vagus is the parish priest or Ordinary of the place where the vagus is actually residing.
§3 The proper parish priest of one who has only a diocesan domicile or quasi-domicile is the parish priest of the place where that person is actually residing.
Can. 108 §1 Consanguinity is reckoned by lines and degrees.
§2 In the direct line there are as many degrees as there are generations, that is, as there are persons, not counting the common ancestor.
§3 In the collateral line there are as many degrees as there are persons in both lines together, not counting the common ancestor.
Can. 109 §1 Affinity arises from a valid marriage, even if not consummated, and it exists between the man and the blood relations of the woman, and likewise between the woman and the blood relations of the man.
§2 It is reckoned in such a way that the blood relations of the man are related by affinity to the woman in the same line and the same degree, and vice versa.
Can. 110 Children who have been adopted in accordance with the civil law are considered the children of that person or those persons who have adopted them.
Can. 111 §1 Through the reception of baptism a child becomes a member of the Latin Church if the parents belong to that Church or, should one of them not belong to it, if they have both by common consent chosen that the child be baptised in the Latin Church: if that common consent is lacking, the child becomes a member of the ritual Church to which the father belongs.
§2 Any candidate for baptism who has completed the fourteenth year of age may freely choose to be baptised either in the Latin Church or in another autonomous ritual Church; in which case the person belongs to the Church which he or she has chosen.
Can. 112 §1 After the reception of baptism, the following become members of another autonomous ritual Church:
1° those who have obtained permission from the Apostolic See;
2° a spouse who, on entering marriage or during its course, has declared that he or she is transferring to the autonomous ritual
Church of the other spouse; on the dissolution of the marriage, however, that person may freely return to the Latin Church;
3° the children of those mentioned in nn. 1 and 2 who have not completed their fourteenth year, and likewise in a mixed marriage the children of a catholic party who has lawfully transferred to another ritual Church; on completion of their fourteenth year, however, they may return to the Latin Church.
§2 The practice, however long standing, of receiving the sacraments according to the rite of an autonomous ritual Church, does not bring with it membership of that Church.

TITULUS VI: DE PERSONIS PHYSICIS ET IURIDICIS

CAPUT I: DE PERSONARUM PHYSICARUM CONDICIONE CANONICA

Can. 96 - Baptismo homo Ecclesiae Christi incorporatur et in eadem constituitur persona, cum officiis et iuribus quae christianis, attenta quidem eorum condicione, sunt propria, quatenus in ecclesiastica sunt communione et nisi obstet lata legitima sanctio.
Can. 97 - § 1. Persona quae duodevigesimum aetatis annum explevit, maior est; infra hanc aetatem, minor.
§ 2. Minor, ante plenum septennium, dicitur infans et censetur non sui compos, expleto autem septennio, usum rationis habere praesumitur.
Can. 98 - § 1. Persona maior plenum habet suorum iurium exercitium.
§ 2. Persona minor in exercitio suorum iurium potestati obnoxia manet parentum vel tutorum, iis exceptis in quibus minores lege divina aut iure canonico ab eorum potestate exempti sunt; ad constitutionem tutorum eorumque potestatem quod attinet, serventur praescripta iuris civilis, nisi iure canonico aliud caveatur, aut Episcopus dioecesanus in certibus casibus iusta de causa per nominationem alius tutoris providendum aestimaverit.
Can. 99 - Quicumque usu rationis habitu caret, censetur non sui compos et infantibus assimilatur.
Can. 100 - Persona dicitur: "incola," in loco ubi est eius domicilium; "advena," in loco ubi quasi-domicilium habet; "peregrinus," si versetur extra domicilium et quasi-domicilium quod adhuc retinet; "vagus," si nullibi domicilium habeat vel quasi-domicilium.
Can. 101 - § 1. Locus originis filii, etiam neophyti, est ille in quo cum filius natus est, domicilium, aut, eo deficiente, quasi-domicilium habuerunt parentes vel, si parentes non habuerint idem domicilium vel quasi-domicilium, mater.
§ 2. Si agatur de filio vagorum, locus originis est ipsemet nativitatis locus; si de exposito, est locus in quo inventus est.
Can. 102 - § 1. Domicilium acquiritur ea in territorio alicuius paroeciae aut saltem dioecesis commoratione, quae aut coniuncta sit cum animo ibi perpetuo manendi si nihil inde avocet, aut ad quinquennium completum sit protracta.
§ 2. Quasi-domicilium acquiritur ea commoratione in territorio alicuius paroeciae aut saltem dioecesis, quae aut coniuncta sit cum animo ibi manendi saltem per tres menses si nihil inde avocet, aut ad tres menses reapse sit protracta.
§ 3. Domicilium vel quasi-domicilium in territorio paroeciae dicitur paroeciale; in territorio dioecesis, etsi non in parochia, dioecesanum.
Can. 103 - Sodales institutorum religiosorum et societatum vitae apostolicae domicilium acquirunt in loco ubi sita est domus cui adscribuntur; quasi-domicilium in domo ubi, ad normam Can. 102, § 2, commorantur.
Can. 104 - Coniuges commune habeant domicilium vel quasi-domicilium; legitime separationis ratione vel alia iusta de causa, uterque habere potest proprium domicilium vel quasi-domicilium.
Can. 105 - § 1. Minor necessario retinet domicilium et quasi-domicilium illius, cuius potestati subicitur. Infantia egressus potest etiam quasi-domicilium proprium acquirere; atque legitime ad normam iuris civilis emancipatus, etiam proprium domicilium.
§ 2. Quicumque alia ratione quam minoritate, in tutelam vel curatelam legitime traditus est alterius, domicilium et quasi-domicilium habet tutoris vel curatoris.
Can. 106 - Domicilium et quasi-domicilium amittitur discessione a loco cum animo non revertendi, salvo praescripto Can. 105.
Can. 107 - § 1. Tum per domicilium tum per quasi-domicilium suum quisque parochum et Ordinarium sortitur.
§ 2. Proprius vagi parochus vel Ordinarius est parochus vel Ordinarius loci in quo vagus actu commoratur.
§ 3. Illius quoque qui non habet nisi domicilium vel quasi-domicilium dioecesanum, parochus proprius est parochus loci in quo actu commoratur.
Can. 108 - § 1. Consanguinitas computatur per lineas et gradus.
§ 2. In linea recta tot sunt gradus quot generationes, seu quot personae, stipite dempto.
§ 3. In linea obliqua tot sunt gradus quot personae in utraque simul linea, stipite dempto.
Can. 109 - § 1. Affinitur oritur ex matrimonio valido, etsi non consummato, atque viget inter virum et mulieris consanguineos, itemque mulierem inter et viri consanguineos.
§ 2. Ita computantur ut qui sunt consanguinei viri, iidem in eadem linea et gradu sint affines mulieris, et vice versa.
Can. 110 - Filii, qui ad normam legis civilis adoptati sint, habentur ut filii eius vel eorum qui eos adoptaverint.
Can. 111 - § 1. Ecclesiae latinae per receptum baptismum adscribitur filius parentum, qui ad eam pertineant vel, si alteruter ad eam nonpertineat, ambo concordi voluntate optaverint ut proles in Ecclesia latina baptizaretur; quodsi concors voluntas desit, Ecclesiae rituali ad quam pater petinet adscribitur.
§ 2. Quilibet baptizandus qui partum decimum aetatis annum expleverit, libere potest eligere ut in Ecclesia latina vel in alia Ecclesia rituali sui iuris baptizetur; quo in casu, ipse ad eam Ecclesiam pertinet quam elegerit.
Can. 112 - § 1. Post receptum baptismum, alii Ecclesiae ritualis sui iuris adscribuntur:
1° qui licentiam ab Apostolica Sede obtinuerit;
2° coniux qui, in matrimonio ineundo vel eo durante, ad Ecclesiam ritualem sui iuris alterius coniugis se transire declaraverit; matrimonio autem soluto, libere potest ad latinam Ecclesiam redire;
3° filii eorum, de quibus in nn. 1 et 2, ante decimum quartum aetatis annum completum itemque, in matrimonio mixto, filii partis catholicae quae ad aliam Ecclesiam ritualem legitime transierit; adepta vero hac aetate, iidem possunt ad latinam Ecclesiam redire.
§ 2. Mos, quamvis diuturnus, sacramenta secundum ritum alicuius Ecclesiae ritualis sui iuris recipiendi, non secumfert adscriptionem eidem Ecclesiae.

CHAPTER II : JURIDICAL PERSONS

Can. 113 §1 The catholic Church and the Apostolic See have the status of a moral person by divine disposition.
§2 In the Church, besides physical persons, there are also juridical persons, that is, in canon law subjects of obligations and rights which accord with their nature.
Can. 114 §1 Aggregates of persons or of things which are directed to a purpose befitting the Church’s mission, which transcends the purpose of the individuals, are constituted juridical persons either by a provision of the law itself or by a special concession given in the form of a decree by the competent authority.
§2 The purposes indicated in §1 are understood to be those which concern works of piety, of the apostolate or of charity, whether spiritual or temporal.
§3 The competent ecclesiastical authority is not to confer juridical personality except on those aggregates of persons or of things which aim at a genuinely useful purpose and which, all things considered, have the means which are foreseen to be sufficient to achieve the purpose in view.
Can. 115 §1 Juridical persons in the Church are either aggregates of persons or aggregates of things.
§2 An aggregate of persons, which must be made up of at least three persons, is collegial if the members decide its conduct by participating together in making its decisions, whether by equal right or not, in accordance with the law and the statutes; otherwise, it is non collegial.
§3 An aggregate of things, or an autonomous foundation, consists of goods or things, whether spiritual or material, and is directed, in accordance with the law and the statutes, by one or more physical persons or by a college.
Can. 116 §1 Public juridical persons are aggregates of persons or of things which are established by the competent ecclesiastical authority so that, within the limits allotted to them in the name of the Church, and in accordance with the provisions of law, they might fulfil the specific task entrusted to them for the public good. Other juridical persons are private.
§2 Public juridical persons are given this personality either by the law itself or by a special decree of the competent authority expressly granting it. Private juridical persons are given this personality only by a special decree of the competent authority expressly granting it.
Can. 117 No aggregate of persons or of things seeking juridical personality can acquire it unless its statutes are approved by the competent authority.
Can. 118 Those persons represent, and act in the name of, a public juridical person whose competence to do so is acknowledged by universal or particular law, or by their own statutes; those persons represent a private juridical person who are given this competence by their statutes.
Can. 119 In regard to collegial acts, unless the law or the statutes provide otherwise:
1° in regard to elections, provided a majority of those who must be summoned are present, what is decided by an absolute majority of those present has the force of law. If there have been two inconclusive scrutinies, a vote is to be taken between the two candidates with the greatest number of votes or, if there are more than two, between the two senior by age. After a third inconclusive scrutiny, that person is deemed elected who is senior by age;
2° in regard to other matters, provided a majority of those who must be summoned are present, what is decided by an absolute majority of those present has the force of law. If the votes are equal after two scrutinies, the person presiding can break the tie with a casting vote;
3° that which affects all as individuals must be approved by all.
Can. 120 §1 A juridical person is by its nature perpetual. It ceases to exist, however, if it is lawfully suppressed by the competent authority, or if it has been inactive for a hundred years. A private juridical person also ceases to exist if the association itself is dissolved in accordance with the statutes, or if, in the judgement of the competent authority, the foundation itself has, in accordance with the statutes, ceased to exist.
§2 If even a single member of a collegial juridical person survives, and the aggregate of persons has not, according to the statutes, ceased to exist, the exercise of all the rights of the aggregate devolves upon that member.
Can. 121 When aggregates of persons or of things which are public juridical persons are so amalgamated that one aggregate, itself with a juridical personality, is formed, this new juridical person obtains the patrimonial goods and rights which belonged to the previous aggregates; it also accepts the liabilities of the previous aggregates. In what concerns particularly the arrangements for the goods and the discharge of obligations, the wishes of the founders and benefactors, and any acquired rights must be safeguarded.
Can. 122 When an aggregate which is a public juridical person is divided in such a way that part of it is joined to another juridical person or a distinct public juridical person is established from one part of it, the first obligation is to observe the wishes of the founders and benefactors, the demands of acquired rights and the requirements of the approved statutes. Then the competent ecclesiastical authority, either personally or through an executor, is to ensure:
1° that the divisible common patrimonial goods and rights, the monies owed and the other liabilities, are divided between the juridical persons in question in due proportion, in a fashion which is equitable and right, taking account of all the circumstances and needs of both;
2° that the use and enjoyment of the common goods which cannot be divided, be given to each juridical person, and also that the liabilities which are proper to each are the responsibility of each, in due proportion, in a fashion which is equitable and right.
Can. 123 On the extinction of a public juridical person, the arrangements for its patrimonial goods and rights, and for its liabilities, are determined by law and the statutes. If these do not deal with the matter, the arrangements devolve upon the next higher juridical person, always with due regard for the wishes of the founders or benefactors and for acquired rights. On the extinction of a private juridical person, the arrangements for its goods and liabilities are governed by its own statutes.

CAPUT II: DE PERSONIS IURIDICIS

Can. 113 - § 1. Catholica Ecclesia et Apostolica Sedes, moralis personae rationem habent ex ipsa ordinatione divina.
§ 2. Sunt etiam in Ecclesia, praeter personas physicas, personae iuridicae, subiecta scilicet in iure canonico obligationum et iurium quae ipsarum indoli congruunt.
Can. 114 - § 1. Personae iuridicae constituuntur aut ex ipso iuris praescripto aut ex speciali competentis auctoritatis concessione per decretum data, universitates sive personarum sive rerum in finem missioni Ecclesiae congruentem, qui singulorum finem transcendit, ordinatae.
§ 2. Fines, de quibus in § 1, intelleguntur qui ad opera pietatis, apostolatus vel caritatis sive spiritualis sive temporalis attinent.
§ 3. Auctoritas Ecclesiae competens personalitatem iuridicam ne conferat nisi iis personarum aut rerum universitatibus, quae finem persequuntur reapse utilem atque, omnibus perpensis, mediis gaudent quae sufficere posse praevidentur ad finem praestitutum assequendum.
Can. 115 - § 1. Personae iuridicae in Ecclesia sunt aut universitates personarum aut universitates rerum.
§ 2. Universitas personarum, quae quidem nonnisi ex tribus saltem personis constitui potest, est collegialis, si eius actionem determinant membra, in decisionibus ferendis concurrentia, sive aequali iure sive non, ad normam iuris et statutorum; secus est non collegialis.
§ 3. Universitas rerum seu fundatio autonoma constat bonis seu rebus, sive spiritualibus sive materialibus, eamque, ad normam iuris et statutorum, moderantur sive una vel plures personae physicae sive collegium.
Can. 116 - § 1. Personae iuridicae publicae sunt universitates personarum seu rerum, quae ab ecclesiastica auctoritate competenti constituuntur ut intra fines sibi praestitutos nomine Ecclesiae, ad normam praescriptorum iuris, munus proprium intuitu boni publici ipsis commissum expleant; ceterae personae iuridicae sunt privatae.
§ 2. Personae iuridicae publicae hac personalitate donantur sive ipso iure sive speciali competentis auctoritatis decreto eandem expresse concedenti; personae iuridicae privatae hac personalitate donantur tantum per speciale competentis auctoritatis decretum eandem personalitatem expresse concedens.
Can. 117 - Nulla personarum vel rerum universitas personalitatem iuridicam obtinere intendens, eandem consequi valet nisi ipsius statuta a competenti auctoritate sint probata.
Can. 118 - Personam iuridicam publicam repraesentant, eius nomine agentes, ii quibus iure universali vel particulari aut propriis statutis haec competentia agnoscitur; personam iuridicam privatam, ii quibus eadem competentia per statuta tribuitur.
Can. 119 - Ad actus collegiales quod attinet, nisi iure vel statutis aliud caveatur:
1° si agatur de electionibus, id vim habet iuris, quod, praesente quidem maiore parte eorum qui convocari debent, placuerit parti absolute maiori eorum qui sunt praesentes; post duo inefficacia scrutinia, suffragatio fiat super duobus candidatis qui maiorem suffra giorumpartem obtinuerint, vel, si sunt plures, super duobus aetate senioribus; post tertium scrutinium, si paritas maneat, ille electus habeatur qui senior sit aetate;
2° si agatur de aliis negotiis, id vim habet iuris, quod, praesente quidem maiore parte eorum qui convocari debent, placuerit parti absolute maiori eorum qui sunt praesentes; quod si post duo scrutinia suffragia aequalia fuerint, praeses suo voto paritatem dirimere potest;
3° quod autem omnes uti singulos tangit, ab omnibus approbari debet.
Can. 120 - § 1. Personae iuridica natura sua perpetua est; extinguitur tamen si a competenti auctoritate legitime supprimantur aut per centum annorum spatium agere desierit; persona iuridica privata insuper extinguitur, si ipsa consociatio ad normam statutorum dissolvatur, aut si, de iudicio auctoritatis competentis, ipsa fundatio ad normam statutorum esse desierit.
§ 2. Si vel unum ex personae iuridicae collegialis membris supersit, et personarum universitas secundum statuta esse non desierit, exercitium omnium iurium universitatis illi membro competit.
Can. 121 - Si universitates sive personarum sive rerum, quae sunt personae iuridicae publicae, ita coniungantur ut ex iisdem una constituatur universitas personalitae iuridica et ipsa pollens, nova haec persona iuridica bona iuraque patrimonialia prioribus propria obtinet atque onera suscipit, quibus eaedem gravabantur; ad destinationem autem praesertim bonorum et ad onerum adimpletionem quod attinet, fundatorum oblatorumque voluntas atque iura quaesita salva esse debent.
Can. 122 - Si universitas, quae gaudet personalitate iuridica publica, ita dividatur ut aut illius pars alii personae iuridicae uniatur aut ex parte dismembrata distincta persona iuridica publica erigatur, auctoritas ecclesiastica, cui divisio competat, curare debet per se vel per exsecutorem, servatis quidem in primis tum fundatorum ac oblatorum voluntate tum iuribus quaesitis tum probatis statutis:
1° ut communia, quae dividi possunt, bona atque iura patrimonialia necnon aes alienum aliaque onera dividantur inter personas iuridicas, de quibus agitur, debita cum proportione ex aequo et bono, ratione habita omnium adiunctorum et necessitatum utriusque;
2° ut usus et ususfructus communium bonorum, quae divisioni obnoxia non sunt, utrique personae iuridicae cedant, oneraque iisdempropria utrique imponantur, servata item debita proportione ex aequo et bono definienda.
Can. 123 - Extincta persona iuridica publica, destinatio eiusdem bonorum iuriumque patrimonialium itemque onerum regitur iure et statutis, quae, si sileant, obveniunt personae iuridicae immediate superiori, salvis semper fundatorum vel oblatorum voluntate necnon iuribus quaesitis; extincta persona iuridica privata, eiusdem bonorum et onerum destinatio statutis regitur.

TITLE VII: JURIDICAL ACTS

Can. 124 §1 For the validity of a juridical act, it is required that it be performed by a person who is legally capable, and it must contain those elements which constitute the essence of the act, as well as the formalities and requirements which the law prescribes for the validity of the act.
§2 A juridical act which, as far as its external elements are concerned, is properly performed, is presumed to be valid.
Can. 125 §1 An act is invalid if performed as a result of force imposed from outside on a person who was quite unable to resist it.
§2 An act performed as a result of fear which is grave and unjustly inflicted, or as a result of deceit, is valid, unless the law provides otherwise. However, it can be rescinded by a court judgement, either at the instance of the injured party or that party’s successors in law, or ex officio.
Can. 126 An act is invalid when performed as a result of ignorance or of error which concerns the substance of the act, or which amounts to a condition sine qua non; otherwise it is valid, unless the law provides differently. But an act done as a result of ignorance or error can give rise to a rescinding action in accordance with the law.
Can. 127 §1 When the law prescribes that, in order to perform a juridical act, a Superior requires the consent or the advice of some college or group of persons, the college or group must be convened in accordance with Can. 166, unless, if there is question of seeking advice only, particular or proper law provides otherwise. For the validity of the act, it is required that the consent be obtained of an absolute majority of those present, or that the advice of all be sought.
§2 When the law prescribes that, in order to perform a juridical act, a Superior requires the consent or advice of certain persons as individuals:
1° if consent is required, the Superior’s act is invalid if the Superior does not seek the consent of those persons, or acts against the vote of all or of any of them;
2° if advice is required, the Superior’s act is invalid if the Superior does not hear those persons. The Superior is not in any way bound to accept their vote, even if it is unanimous; nevertheless, without what is, in his or her judgement, an overriding reason, the Superior is not to act against their vote, especially if it is a unanimous one.
§3 All whose consent or advice is required are obliged to give their opinions sincerely. If the seriousness of the matter requires it, they are obliged carefully to maintain secrecy, and the Superior can insist on this obligation.
Can. 128 Whoever unlawfully causes harm to another by a juridical act, or indeed by any other act which is deceitful or culpable, is obliged to repair the damage done.

TITULUS VII: DE ACTIBUS IURIDICIS

Can. 124 - § 1. Ad validitatem actus iuridici requiritur ut a persona habili sit positus, atque in eodem adsint quae actum ipsum essentialiter constituunt, necnon sollemnia et requisita iure ad validitatem actus imposita.
§ 2. Actus iuridicus quoad sua elementa externa rite positus praesumitur validus.
Can. 125 - § 1. Actus positus ex vi ab extrinseco personae illata, cui ipsa nequaquam resistere potuit, pro infecto habetur. § 2. Actus positus ex metu gravi, iniuste incusso, aut ex dolo, valet, nisi aliud iure caveatur; sed potest per sententiam iudicis rescindi, sive ad instantiam partis laesae eiusve in iure successorum sive ex officio.
Can. 126 - Actus positus ex ignorantia aut ex errore, qui versetur circa id quod eius substantiam constituit, aut qui recidit in condicionem sine qua non, irritus est; secus valet, nisi aliud iure caveatur, sed actus ex ignorantia aut ex errore initus locum dare potest actioni rescissoriae ad normam iuris.
Can. 127 - § 1. Cum iure statuatur ad actus ponendos Superiorem indigere consensu aut consilio alicuius collegii vel personarum coetus, convocari debet collegium vel coetus ad normam Can. 166, nisi, cum agatur de consilio tantum exquirendo, aliter iure particulari aut proprio cautum sit; ut autem actus valeant requiritur ut obtineatur consensus partis absolute maioris eorum qui sunt praesentes aut omnium exquiratur consilium.
§ 2. Cum iure statuatur ad actus ponendos Superiorem indigere consensu aut consilio aliquarum personarum, uti singularum:
1° si consensus exigatur, invalidus est actus Superioris consensum earum personarum non exquirentis aut contra earum vel alicuius votum agentis;
2° si consilium exigatur, invalidus est actus Superioris easdem personas non audientis; Superior, licet nulla obligatione teneatur accedendi ad earundem votum, etsi concors, tamen sine praevalenti ratione, suo iudicio aestimanda, ab earundem voto, praesertim concordi, ne discedat.
§ 3. Omnes quorum consensus aut consilium requiritur, obligatione tenentur sententiam suam sincere proferendi atque, si negotiorum gravitas id postulate, secretum sedulo servandi; quae quidem obligatio a Superiore urgeri potest.
Can. 128 - Quicunque illegitime actu iuridico, immo quovis alio actu dolo vel culpa posito, alteri damnum infert, obligatione tenetur damnum illatum reparandi.

TITLE VIII: POWER OF GOVERNANCE

Can. 129 §1 Those who are in sacred orders are, in accordance with the provisions of law, capable of the power of governance, which belongs to the Church by divine institution. This power is also called the power of jurisdiction.
§2 Lay members of Christ’s faithful can cooperate in the exercise of this same power in accordance with the law.
Can. 130 Of itself the power of governance is exercised for the external forum; sometimes however it is exercised for the internal forum only, but in such a way that the effects which its exercise is designed to have in the external forum are not acknowledged in that forum, except in so far as the law prescribes this for determinate cases.
Can. 131 §1 Ordinary power of governance is that which by virtue of the law itself is attached to a given office; delegated power is that which is granted to a person other than through an office.
§2 Ordinary power of governance may be proper or vicarious.
§3 One who claims to have been delegated has the onus of proving the delegation.
Can. 132 §1 Habitual faculties are governed by the provisions concerning delegated power.
§2 However, unless the grant has expressly provided otherwise, or the Ordinary was deliberately chosen as the only one to exercise the faculty, an habitual faculty granted to an Ordinary does not lapse on the expiry of the authority of the Ordinary to whom it was given, even if he has already begun to exercise the faculty, but it passes to the Ordinary who succeeds him in governance.
Can. 133 §1 A delegate who exceeds the limits of the mandate, with regard either to things or to persons, performs no act at all.
§2 A delegate is not considered to have exceeded the mandate when what was delegated is carried out, but in a manner different to that determined in the mandate, unless the manner was prescribed for validity by the delegating authority.
Can. 134 §1 In law the term Ordinary means, apart from the Roman Pontiff, diocesan Bishops and all who, even for a time only, are set over a particular Church or a community equivalent to it in accordance with Can. 368, and those who in these have general ordinary executive power, that is, Vicars general and episcopal Vicars; likewise, for their own members, it means the major Superiors of clerical religious institutes of pontifical right and of clerical societies of apostolic life of pontifical right, who have at least ordinary executive power.
§2 The term local Ordinary means all those enumerated in §1, except Superiors of religious institutes and of societies of apostolic life.
§3 Whatever in the canons, in the context of executive power, is attributed to the diocesan Bishop, is understood to belong only to the diocesan Bishop and to those others in Can. 381 §2 who are equivalent to him, to the exclusion of the Vicar general and the episcopal Vicar except by special mandate.
Can. 135 §1 The power of governance is divided into legislative, executive and judicial power.
§2 Legislative power is to be exercised in the manner prescribed by law; that which in the Church a legislator lower than the supreme authority has cannot be delegated, unless the law explicitly provides otherwise. A lower legislator cannot validly make a law which is contrary to that of a higher legislator.
§3 Judicial power, which is possessed by judges and judicial colleges, is to be exercised in the manner prescribed by law, and it cannot be delegated except for the performance of acts preparatory to some decree or judgement.
§4 As far as the exercise of executive power is concerned, the provisions of the following canons are to be observed.
Can. 136 Persons may exercise executive power over their subjects, even when either they themselves or their subjects are outside the territory, unless it is otherwise clear from the nature of things or from the provisions of law. They can exercise this power over peregrini who are actually living in the territory, if it is a question of granting favours, or of executing universal or particular laws by which the peregrini are bound in accordance with Can. 13 §2, n. 2.
Can. 137 §1 Ordinary executive power can be delegated either for an individual case or for all cases, unless the law expressly provides otherwise.
§2 Executive power delegated by the Apostolic See can be subdelegated, either for an individual case or for all cases, unless the delegation was deliberately given to the individual alone, or unless subdelegation was expressly prohibited.
§3 Executive power delegated by another authority having ordinary power, if delegated for all cases, can be subdelegated only for individual cases; if delegated for a determinate act or acts, it cannot be subdelegated, except by the express grant of the person delegating.
§4 No subdelegated power can again be subdelegated, unless this was expressly granted by the person delegating.
Can. 138 Ordinary executive power, and power delegated for all cases, are to be interpreted widely; any other power is to be interpreted strictly. Delegation of power to a person is understood to include everything necessary for the exercise of that power.
Can. 139 §1 Unless the law prescribes otherwise, the tact that a person approaches some competent authority, even a higher one, does not mean that the executive power of another competent authority is suspended, whether that be ordinary or delegated.
§2 A lower authority, however, is not to interfere in cases referred to higher authority, except for a grave and urgent reason; in which case the higher authority is to be notified immediately.
Can. 140 §1 When several people are together delegated to act in the same matter, the person who has begun to deal with it excludes the others from acting, unless that person is subsequently impeded, or does not wish to proceed further with the matter.
§2 When several people are delegated to act as a college in a certain matter, all must proceed in accordance with Can. 119, unless the mandate provides otherwise.
§3 Executive power delegated to several people is presumed to be delegated to them together.
Can. 141 If several people are successively delegated, that person is to deal with the matter whose mandate was the earlier and was not subsequently revoked.
Can. 142 §1 Delegated power lapses: on the completion of the mandate; on the expiry of the time or the completion of the number of cases for which it was granted; on the cessation of the motivating reason for the delegation; on its revocation by the person delegating, when communicated directly to the person delegated; and on the retirement of the person delegated, when communicated to and accepted by the person delegating. It does not lapse on the expiry of the authority of the person delegating, unless this appears from clauses attached to it.
§2 An act of delegated power exercised for the internal forum only, which is inadvertently performed after the time limit of the delegation, is valid.
Can. 143 §1 Ordinary power ceases on the loss of the office to which it is attached.
§2 Unless the law provides otherwise, ordinary power is suspended if an appeal or a recourse is lawfully made against a deprivation of, or removal from, office.
Can. 144 §1 In common error, whether of fact or of law, and in positive and probable doubt, whether of law or of fact, the Church supplies executive power of governance for both the external and the internal forum.
§2 The same norm applies to the faculties mentioned in Cann. 883, 966, and 1111 §1.

TITULUS VIII: DE POTESTATE REGIMINIS

Can. 129 - § 1. Potestatis regiminis, quae quidem ex divina institutione est in Ecclesia et etiam potestas iurisdictionis vocatur, ad normam praescriptorum iuris, habilis sunt qui ordine sacro sunt insigniti.
§ 2. In exercitio eiusdem potestatis, christifideles laici ad normam iuris cooperari possunt.
Can. 130 - Potestas regiminis de se exercetur pro foro externo, quandoque tamen pro solo foro interno, ita quidem ut effectus quos eius exercitium natum est habere pro foro externo, in hoc foro non recognoscantur, nisi quatenus id determinatis pro casibus iure statuatur.
Can. 131 - § 1. Potestas regiminis ordinaria ea est, quae ipso iure alicui officio adnectitur; delegata, quae ipsi personae non mediante officio conceditur.
§ 2. Potestas regiminis ordinaria potest esse sive propria sive vicaria.
§ 3. Ei qui delegatum se asserit, onus probandae delegationis incumbit.
Can. 132 - § 1. Facultates habituales reguntur praescriptis de potestate delegata.
§ 2. Attamen nisi in eius concessione aliud expresse caveatur aut electa sit industria personae, facultas habitualis Ordinario concessa non perimitur resoluto iure Ordinarii cui concessa est, etiamsi ipse eam exsequi coeperit, sed transit ad quemvis Ordinarium qui ipsi in regimine succedit.
Can. 133 - § 1. Delegatus qui sive circa res sive circa personas mandati sui fines excedit, nihil agit.
§ 2. Fines sui mandati excercere non intellegitur delegatus qui aliomodo ac in mandato determinatur, ea peragit ad quae delegatus est, nisi modus ab ipso delegante ad validitatem fuerit praescriptus.
Can. 134 - § 1. Nomine Ordinarii in iure intelleguntur, praeter Romanum Pontificem, Episcopi dioecesani aliique qui, etsi ad interim tantum, praepositi sunt alicui Ecclesiae particulari vel communitati eidem aequiparatae ad normam Can. 368, necnon qui in iisdem generali gaudent potestate exsecutiva ordinaria, nempe Vicarii generales et episcopales; itemque, pro suis sodalibus, Superiores maiores clericalium institutorum religiosorum iuris pontificii et clericalium societatum vitae apostolicae iuris pontificii, qui ordinaria saltem potestate exsecutiva pollent.
§ 2. Nomine Ordinarii loci intelleguntur omnes qui in § 1 recensentur, exceptis Superioribus institutorum religiosorum et societatum vitae apostolicae.
§ 3. Quae in canonibus nominatim Episcopo dioecesano, in ambitu potestatis exsecutivae tribuuntur, intelleguntur competere dumtaxat Episcopo dioecesano aliisque ipsi in Can. 381, § 2 aequiparatis, exclusis Vicario generali et episcopali, nisi de speciali mandato.
Can. 135 - § 1. Potestas regiminis distinguitur in legislativam, exsecutivam et iudicialem.
§ 2. Potestas legislativa exercenda est modo iure praescripto, et ea qua in Ecclesia gaudet legislator infra auctoritatem supremam, valide delegari nequit, nisi aliud iure explicite caveatur; a legislatore inferiore lex iuri superiori contraria valide ferri nequit.
§ 3. Potestas iudicialis, qua gaudent iudices aut collegia iudicialia, exercenda est modo iure praescripto, et delegari nequit, nisi ad actus cuivis decreto aut sententia praeparatorios perficiendos.
§4. Ad potestatis exsecutivae exercitium quod attinet, serventur praescripta canonum qui sequuntur.
Can. 136 - Potestatem exsecutivam aliquis, licet extra territorium exsistens, exercere valet in subditos, etiam a territorio absentes, nisi aliud ex rei natura aut ex iuris praescripto constet; in peregrinos in territorio actu degentes, si agatur defavoribus concedendis aut de exsecutioni mandandis sive legibus universalibus sive legibus particularibus, quibus ipsi ad normam Can. 13, § 2, n. 2 tenentur.
Can. 137 - § 1. Potestas exsecutiva ordinaria delegari potest tum ad actum tum ad universitatem casuum, nisi aliud iure expresse caveatur.
§ 2. Potestas exsecutiva ab Apostolica Sede delegata subdelegari potest sive ad actum sive ad universitatem casuum, nisi electa fuerit industria personae aut subdelegatio fuerit expresse prohibita.
§ 3. Potestas exsecutiva delegata ab alia auctoritate potestatem ordinariam habente, si ad universitatem casuum delegata sit, in singulis tantum casibus subdelegari potest; si vero ad actum aut ad actus determinatos delegata sit, subdelegari nequit, nisi de expressa delegantis concessione.
§4. Nulla potestas subdelegata iterum subdelegari potest, nisi id expresse a delegante concessum fuerit.
Can. 138 - Potestas exsecutiva ordinaria necnon potestas ad universitatem casuum delegata, late interpretanda est, alia vero quaelibet stricte; cui tamen delegata potestas est, ea quoque intelleguntur concessa sine quibus eadem potestas exerceri nequit.
Can. 139 - § 1. Nisi aliud iure statuatur, eo quod quis aliquam auctoritatem, etiam superiorem, competentem adeat, non suspenditur alius auctoritatis competentis exsecutiva potestas, sive haec ordinaria est sive delegata.
§ 2. Causae tamen ad superiorem auctoritatem delatae ne se immisceat inferior, nisi ex gravi urgetique causa; quo in casu statim superiorem de re moneat.
Can. 140 - § 1. Pluribus in solidum ad idem negotium agendum delegatis, qui prius negotium tractare inchoaverit alios ab eodem agendo excludit, nisi postea impeditus fuerit aut in negotio peragendo ulterius procedere noluerit.
§ 2. Pluribus collegialiter ad negotium agendum delegatis, omnes procedere debent ad normam Can. 119, nisi in mandato aliud cautum sit.
§ 3. Potestas exsecutiva pluribus delegata, praesumitur iisdem delegata in solidum.
Can. 141 - Pluribus successive delegatis, ille negotium expediat, cuius mandatum anterius est, nec postea revocatum fuit.
Can. 142 - § 1. Potestas delegata extinguitur: expleto mandato; elapso tempore vel exhausto numero casuum pro quibus concessa fuit; cessante causa finali delegationis; revocatione delegantis delegato directe intimata necnon renuntiatione delegati deleganti significata et eo acceptata; non autem resoluto iure delegantis, nisi id ex appositis clausulis appareat.
§ 2. Actus tamen ex potestate delegat, quae exercetur pro solo foro interno, per inadvertentiam positus, elapso concessionis tempore, validus est.
Can. 143 - § 1. Potestas ordinaria extinguitur amisso officio cui adnectitur.
§ 2. Nisi aliud iure caveatur, suspenditur potestas ordinaria, si contra privationem vel amotionem ab officio legitime appellatur vel recursus interponitur.
Can. 144 - § 1. In errore communi de facto aut de iure, itemque in dubio positivo et probabili sive iuris sive facti, supplet Ecclesia, pro foro tam externo quam interno, potestatem regiminis exsecutivam.
§ 2. Eadem norma applicatur facultatibus de quibus in Cann. 882, 883, 966, et 1111, § 1.

TITLE IX: ECCLESIASTICAL OFFICES

Can. 145 §1 An ecclesiastical office is any post which by divine or ecclesiastical disposition is established in a stable manner to further a spiritual purpose.
§2 The duties and rights proper to each ecclesiastical office are defined either by the law whereby the office is established, or by a decree of the competent authority whereby it is at one and at the same time established and conferred.

TITULUS IX: DE OFFICIIS ECCLESIASTICIS

Can. 145 - § 1. Officium ecclesiasticum est quodlibet munus ordinatione sive divina sive ecclesiastica stabiliter constitutum in finem spiritualem exercendum.
§ 2. Obligationes et iura singulis officiis ecclesiasticis propria definiuntur sive ipso iure quo officium constituitur, sive decreto auctoritatis competentis quo constituitur simul et confertur.

CHAPTER I : THE PROVISION OF ECCLESIASTICAL OFFICE

Can. 146 An ecclesiastical office cannot be validly obtained without canonical provision.
Can. 147 The provision of an ecclesiastical office is effected: by its being freely conferred by the competent ecclesiastical authority; by appointment made by the same authority, where there has been a prior presentation; by confirmation or admission by the same authority, where there has been a prior election or postulation; finally, by a simple election and acceptance of the election, if the election does not require confirmation.
Can. 148 Unless the law provides otherwise, the provision of an office is the prerogative of the authority which is competent to establish, change or suppress the office.
Can. 149 §1 In order to be promoted to an ecclesiastical office, one must be in communion wi