Can. 747 §1 It is the obligation and inherent right of the Church,
independent of any human authority, to preach the Gospel to all peoples,
using for this purpose even its own means of social communication, for it
is to the Church that Christ the Lord entrusted the deposit of faith, so
that by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, it might conscientiously guard
revealed truth, more intimately penetrate it, and faithfully proclaim and
expound it.
§2 The Church has the right always and everywhere to proclaim moral
principles, even in respect of the social order, and to make judgements
about any human matter in so far as this is required by fundamental human
rights or the salvation of souls.
Can. 748 §1 All are bound to seek the truth in the matters which
concern God and his Church; when they have found it, then by divine law
they are bound, and they have the right, to embrace and keep it.
§2 It is never lawful for anyone to force others to embrace the
catholic faith against their conscience.
Can. 749 §1 In virtue of his office the Supreme Pontiff is infallible
in his teaching when, as chief Shepherd and Teacher of all Christ’s
faithful, with the duty of strengthening his brethren in the faith, he
proclaims by definitive act a doctrine to be held concerning faith or
morals.
§2 The College of Bishops also possesses infallibility in its teaching
when the Bishops, gathered together in an Ecumenical Council and
exercising their magisterium as teachers and judges of faith and morals,
definitively declare for the universal Church a doctrine to be held
concerning faith or morals; likewise, when the Bishops, dispersed
throughout the world but maintaining the bond of union among themselves
and with the successor of Peter, together with the same Roman Pontiff
authentically teach matters of faith or morals, and are agreed that a
particular teaching is definitively to be held.
§3 No doctrine is understood to be infallibly defined unless this is
manifestly demonstrated.
Can. 750 Those things are to be believed by divine and catholic faith
which are contained in the word of God as it has been written or handed
down by tradition, that is, in the single deposit of faith entrusted to
the Church, and which are at the same time proposed as divinely revealed
either by the solemn magisterium of the Church, or by its ordinary and
universal magisterium, which is manifested by the common adherence of
Christ’s faithful under the guidance of the sacred magisterium. All are
therefore bound to shun any contrary doctrines.
Can. 751 Heresy is the obstinate denial or doubt, after baptism, of a
truth which must be believed by divine and catholic faith. Apostasy is the
total repudiation of the christian faith. Schism is the withdrawal of
submission to the Supreme Pontiff or from communion with the members of
the Church subject to him.
Can. 752 While the assent of faith is not required, a religious
submission of intellect and will is to be given to any doctrine which
either the Supreme Pontiff or the College of Bishops, exercising their
authentic magisterium, declare upon a matter of faith or morals, even
though they do not intend to proclaim that doctrine by definitive act.
Christ’s faithful are therefore to ensure that they avoid whatever does
not accord with that doctrine.
Can. 753 Whether they teach individually, or in Episcopal Conferences,
or gathered together in particular councils, Bishops in communion with the
head and the members of the College, while not infallible in their
teaching, are the authentic instructors and teachers of the faith for
Christ’s faithful entrusted to their care. The faithful are bound to
adhere, with a religious submission of mind, to this authentic magisterium
of their Bishops.
Can. 754 All Christ’s faithful are obliged to observe the constitutions
and decrees which lawful ecclesiastical authority issues for the purpose
of proposing doctrine or of proscribing erroneous opinions; this is
particularly the case of those published by the Roman Pontiff or by the
College of Bishops.
Can. 755 §1 It pertains especially to the entire College of Bishops and
to the Apostolic See to foster and direct among catholics the ecumenical
movement, the purpose of which is the restoration of unity between all
christians which, by the will of Christ, the Church is bound to promote.
§2 It is a matter likewise for Bishops and, in accordance with the law,
for Episcopal Conferences, to promote this same unity and, in line with
the various needs and opportunities of the circumstances, to issue
practical norms which accord with the provisions laid down by the supreme
authority of the Church.
TITLE I: THE MINISTRY OF THE DIVINE WORD
Can. 756 §1 The office of preaching the Gospel to the whole Church has
been committed principally to the Roman Pontiff and to the College of
Bishops.
§2 For the particular Churches entrusted to them, that office is
exercised by the individual Bishops, who are the moderators of the entire
ministry of the word in their Churches. Sometimes, however, in accordance
with the law, a number of Bishops simultaneously carry out that office
together in respect of a number of different Churches.
Can. 757 It belongs to priests, as co-operators of the Bishops, to
proclaim the Gospel of God. For the people entrusted to their care, this
task rests especially on parish priests, and on other priests entrusted
with the care of souls. Deacons also are to serve the people of God in the
ministry of the word, in union with the Bishop and his presbyterium.
Can. 758 By reason of their consecration to God, members of institutes
of consecrated life bear particular witness to the Gospel, and so are
fittingly called upon by the Bishop to help in proclaiming the Gospel.
Can. 759 The lay members of Christ’s faithful, by reason of their
baptism and confirmation, are witnesses to the good news of the Gospel, by
their words and by the example of their christian life. They can also be
called upon to cooperate with Bishops and priests in the exercise of the
ministry of the word.
Can. 760 The mystery of Christ is to be faithfully and fully presented
in the ministry of the word, which must be founded upon sacred Scripture,
Tradition, liturgy and the magisterium and life of the Church.
Can. 761 While pride of place must always be given to preaching and
catechetical instruction, all the available means of proclaiming christian
doctrine are to be used: the exposition of doctrine in schools, in
institutes of higher learning, at conferences and meetings of all kinds;
public declarations by lawful authority on the occasion of certain events;
the printed word and other means of social communication.
Chapter I : PREACHING THE WORD OF GOD
Can. 762 The people of God are first united through the word of the
living God, and are fully entitled to seek this word from their priests.
For this reason sacred ministers are to consider the office of preaching
as of great importance, since proclaiming the Gospel of God to all is
among their principal duties.
Can. 763 Bishops have the right to preach the word of God everywhere,
even in churches and oratories of religious institutes of pontifical
right, unless the local Bishop has expressly forbidden it in particular
cases.
Can. 764 Without prejudice to the provisions of can. 765, priests and
deacons, with the at least presumed consent of the rector of a church,
have the faculty to preach everywhere, unless this faculty has been
restricted or removed by the competent Ordinary, or unless particular law
requires express permission.
Can. 765 To preach to religious in their churches or oratories,
permission is required of the Superior who is competent according to their
constitutions.
Can. 766 The laity may be allowed to preach in a church or oratory if
in certain circumstances it is necessary, or in particular cases it would
be advantageous, according to the provisions of the Episcopal Conference
and without prejudice to can. 767 §1.
Can. 767 §1 The most important form of preaching is the homily, which
is part of the liturgy, and is reserved to a priest or deacon. In the
course of the liturgical year, the mysteries of faith and the rules of
christian living are to be expounded in the homily from the sacred text.
§2 At all Masses on Sundays and holydays of obligation, celebrated with
a congregation, there is to be a homily and, except for a grave reason,
this may not be omitted.
§3 It is strongly recommended that, if a sufficient number of people
are present, there be a homily at weekday Masses also, especially during
Advent and Lent, or on a feast day or an occasion of grief.
§4 It is the responsibility of the parish priest or the rector of a
church to ensure that these provisions are carefully observed.
Can. 768 §1 Those who announce the word of God to Christ’s faithful are
first and foremost to set out those things which it is necessary to
believe and to practise for the glory of God and the salvation of all.
§2 They are also to explain to the faithful the teaching of the
magisterium of the Church concerning the dignity and freedom of the human
person; the unity, stability and duties of the family; people’s social
obligations and the ordering of temporal affairs according to the plan
established by God.
Can. 769 Christian teaching is to be explained in a manner that is
suited to the condition of the hearers and adapted to the circumstances of
the times.
Can. 770 At certain times, according to the regulations of the diocesan
Bishop, parish priests are to arrange for sermons in the form of retreats
and missions, as they are called, or in other forms adapted to
requirements.
Can. 771 §1 Pastors of souls, especially Bishops and parish priests,
are to be solicitous that the word of God is preached to those also of the
faithful who, because of the circumstances of their lives, cannot
sufficiently avail themselves of the ordinary pastoral care or are even
totally deprived of it.
§2 They are also to take care that the good news of the Gospel reaches
those living in their territory who are non-believers, since these too, no
less than the faithful, must be included in the care of souls.
Can. 772 §1 In the exercise of the office of preaching, everyone is
moreover to observe the norms laid down by the Bishop of the diocese.
§2 In expounding christian teaching on radio or television, the
provisions of the Episcopal Conference are to be observed.
Chapter II : CATECHETICAL FORMATION
Can. 773 It is pastors of souls especially who have the serious duty of
attending to the catechesis of the christian people, so that, through
doctrinal formation and the experience of the christian life, the living
faith of the people may be manifest and active.
Can. 774 §1 The care for catechesis, under the direction of lawful
ecclesiastical authority, extends to all members of the Church, to each
according to his or her role.
§2 Before all others, parents are bound to form their children, by word
and example, in faith and in christian living. The same obligation binds
godparents and those who take the place of parents.
Can. 775 §1 While observing provisions made by the Apostolic See it is
the responsibility of diocesan Bishops to issue norms concerning
catechetical matters; to ensure that appropriate means of catechesis are
available, even by preparing a catechism, if this seems opportune; to
foster and to coordinate catechetical initiatives.
§2 If it is thought to be useful, the Episcopal Conference may, with
the prior approval of the Apostolic See, publish catechisms for its
territory.
§3 The Episcopal Conference may establish a catechetical office, whose
principal purpose is to assist individual dioceses in catechetical
matters.
Can. 776 By virtue of his office, the parish priest is bound to ensure
the catechetical formation of adults, young people and children. To this
end, he is to avail himself of the help of clerics attached to the parish,
as well as of members of institutes of consecrated life and of societies
of apostolic life, being mindful of the character of each institute; and
the assistance of lay members of Christ’s faithful, especially catechists.
All of these, unless they are lawfully impeded, are not to refuse to give
their labours willingly. The parish priest is also to promote and to
foster the role of parents in the family catechesis mentioned in can. 774,
§2.
Can. 777 In a special way, the parish priest is to ensure, in
accordance with the norms laid down by the diocesan Bishop, that:
1̊ an adequate catechesis is given for the celebration of the
sacraments;
2̊ children are properly prepared for first confession and first holy
communion, and for the sacrament of confirmation, by means of catechetical
formation over an appropriate period of time;
3̊ children, after they have made their first holy communion, are given
a richer and deeper catechetical formation;
4̊ as far as their condition allows, catechetical formation is given to
the mentally and physically handicapped;
5̊ the faith of young people and of adults is strengthened, enlightened
and developed by various catechetical methods and initiatives .
Can. 778 Religious Superiors and Superiors of societies of apostolic
life are to ensure that catechetical formation is diligently given in
their churches and schools, and in other works in any way entrusted to
their care.
Can. 779 Catechetical formation is to be given by employing all those
aids, educational resources and means of communication which seem the more
effective in securing that the faithful, according to their character
capability, age and circumstances of life, may be more fully steeped in
catholic teaching and prepared to put it into practice.
Can. 780 Local Ordinaries are to ensure that catechists are duly
trained to carry out their office properly, namely, that continuing
formation is available to them, that they have an appropriate knowledge of
the teaching of the Church, and that they learn both the theory and the
practice of the principles of pedagogy.
TITLE II: THE MISSIONARY ACTIVITY OF THE CHURCH
Can. 781 Because the whole Church is of its nature missionary and the
work of evangelisation is to be considered a fundamental duty of the
people of God, all Christ’s faithful must be conscious of the
responsibility to play their part in missionary activity.
Can. 782 §1 The Roman Pontiff and the College of Bishops have the
responsibility for the overall direction and coordination of the
initiatives and activities which concern missionary work and cooperation.
§2 As the sponsors of the universal Church and of all the Churches, all
Bishops are to have a special solicitude for missionary activity,
especially by arousing, fostering and sustaining missionary initiatives in
their own particular Churches.
Can. 783 Members of institutes of consecrated life, because of the
dedication to the service of the Church deriving from their very
consecration, have an obligation to play a zealous and special part in
missionary activity, in a manner appropriate to their institute.
Can. 784 Missionaries, that is, those who have been sent by the
competent ecclesiastical authority to engage in missionary activity, may
be chosen from the indigenous population or from others, be they secular
clergy, or members of institutes of consecrated life or of a society of
apostolic life, or other lay members of Christ’s faithful.
Can. 785 §1 Catechists are to be given a role in missionary work. These
are lay members of Christ’s faithful who have received proper formation
and are outstanding in their living of the christian life. Under the
direction of missionaries, they are to present the Gospel teaching and
engage in liturgical worship and in works of charity.
§2 Catechists are to receive their formation in schools founded for
this purpose. If there are no such schools, they are to be formed under
the direction of the missionaries.
Can. 786 Missionary activity properly so called, whereby the Church is
founded amongst peoples or groups where it has not taken root before, is
performed principally by the Church sending heralds of the Gospel, until
such time as the new Churches are fully constituted, that is, have their
own resources and sufficient means, so that they themselves can carry on
the work of evangelisation.
Can. 787 §1 By the testimony of their words and of their lives,
missionaries are to establish a sincere dialogue with those who do not
believe in Christ, so that, taking their native character and culture into
account, ways may be opened up by which they can be led to know the good
news of the Gospel.
§2 Missionaries are to ensure that they teach the truths of the faith
to those whom they judge to be ready to receive the good news of the
Gospel, so that, if they freely request it, they may be admitted to the
reception of baptism.
Can. 788 §1 Those who have expressed the wish to embrace faith in
Christ, and who have completed the period of their preliminary
catechumenate, are to be admitted to the catechumenate proper in a
liturgical ceremony; and their names are to be inscribed in the book which
is kept for this purpose.
§2 By formation and their first steps in christian living, catechumens
are to be initiated into the mysteries of salvation, and introduced into
the life of faith, liturgy and charity of the people of God, as well as
into the apostolate.
§3 It is the responsibility of the Episcopal Conference to establish
norms concerning the arrangement of the catechumenate, determining what
should be done by catechumens and what should be their prerogatives.
Can. 789 By means of appropriate formation, neophytes are to be led to
a deeper knowledge of the Gospel truths, and to the fulfilment of the
duties undertaken in baptism. They are also to be imbued with a sincere
love of Christ and his Church.
Can. 790 §1 In mission territories, it is the responsibility of the
diocesan Bishop:
1̊ to promote, regulate and coordinate both new initiatives and
established works concerning missionary activity;
2̊ to ensure that there are proper agreements with the Moderators of
those institutes which dedicate themselves to missionary activities, and
that relationships with them are for the good of the mission.
§2 The provisions made by the diocesan Bishop in accordance with §1, n.
1 are binding on all missionaries, including religious and their helpers
residing in his territory.
Can. 791 In order to foster missionary cooperation, in each diocese:
1̊ vocations to the mission are to be promoted;
2̊ a priest is to be appointed to promote missionary initiatives,
especially the ‘Pontifical Missionary Works’;
3̊ a day for the missions is to be celebrated annually;
4̊ each year an appropriate financial contribution for the missions is
to be sent to the Holy See.
Can. 792 The Episcopal Conference is to establish and promote means by
which those who come to their territory from the missions, for the purpose
of work or study, are to be given a fraternal welcome and helped with
suitable pastoral care.
TITLE III: CATHOLIC EDUCATION
Can. 793 §1 Parents, and those who take their place, have both the
obligation and the right to educate their children. Catholic parents have
also the duty and the right to choose those means and institutes which, in
their local circumstances, can best promote the catholic education of
their children.
§2 Parents have moreover the right to avail themselves of that
assistance from civil society which they need to provide a catholic
education for their children.
Can. 794 §1 The Church has in a special way the duty and the right of
educating, for it has a divine mission of helping all to arrive at the
fullness of christian life.
§2 Pastors of souls have the duty of making all possible arrangements
so that all the faithful may avail themselves of a catholic education.
Can. 795 Education must pay regard to the formation of the whole
person, so that all may attain their eternal destiny and at the same time
promote the common good of society. Children and young persons are
therefore to be cared for in such a way that their physical, moral and
intellectual talents may develop in a harmonious manner, so that they may
attain a greater sense of responsibility and a right use of freedom, and
be formed to take an active part in social life.
Chapter I : SCHOOLS
Can. 796 §1 Among the means of advancing education, Christ’s faithful
are to consider schools as of great importance, since they are the
principal means of helping parents to fulfil their role in education.
§2 There must be the closest cooperation between parents and the
teachers to whom they entrust their children to be educated. In fulfilling
their task, teachers are to collaborate closely with the parents and
willingly listen to them; associations and meetings of parents are to be
set up and held in high esteem.
Can. 797 Parents must have a real freedom in their choice of schools.
For this reason Christ’s faithful must be watchful that the civil society
acknowledges this freedom of parents and, in accordance with the
requirements of distributive justice, even provides them with assistance.
Can. 798 Parents are to send their children to those schools which will
provide for their catholic education. If they cannot do this, they are
bound to ensure the proper catholic education of their children outside
the school.
Can. 799 Christ’s faithful are to strive to secure that in the civil
society the laws which regulate the formation of the young, also provide a
religious and moral education in the schools that is in accord with the
conscience of the parents.
Can. 800 §1 The Church has the right to establish and to direct schools
for any field of study or of any kind and grade.
§2 Christ’s faithful are to promote catholic schools, doing everything
possible to help in establishing and maintaining them.
Can. 801 Religious institutes which have education as their mission are
to keep faithfully to this mission and earnestly strive to devote
themselves to catholic education, providing this also through their own
schools which, with the consent of the diocesan Bishop, they have
established.
Can. 802 §1 If there are no schools in which an education is provided
that is imbued with a christian spirit, the diocesan Bishop has the
responsibility of ensuring that such schools are established.
§2 Where it is suitable, the diocesan Bishop is to provide for the
establishment of professional and technical schools, and of other schools
catering for special needs.
Can. 803 §1 A catholic school is understood to be one which is under
the control of the competent ecclesiastical authority or of a public
ecclesiastical juridical person, or one which in a written document is
acknowledged as catholic by the ecclesiastical authority.
§2 Formation and education in a catholic school must be based on the
principles of catholic doctrine, and the teachers must be outstanding in
true doctrine and uprightness of life.
§3 No school, even if it is in fact catholic, may bear the title
‘catholic school’ except by the consent of the competent ecclesiastical
authority.
Can. 804 §1 The formation and education in the catholic religion
provided in any school, and through various means of social communication
is subject to the authority of the Church. It is for the Episcopal
Conference to issue general norms concerning this field of activity and
for the diocesan Bishop to regulate and watch over it.
§2 The local Ordinary is to be careful that those who are appointed as
teachers of religion in schools, even non-catholic ones, are outstanding
in true doctrine, in the witness of their christian life, and in their
teaching ability.
Can. 805 In his own diocese, the local Ordinary has the right to
appoint or to approve teachers of religion and, if religious or moral
considerations require it, the right to remove them or to demand that they
be removed.
Can. 806 §1 The diocesan Bishop has the right to watch over and inspect
the catholic schools situated in his territory, even those established or
directed by members of religious institutes. He has also the right to
issue directives concerning the general regulation of catholic schools
these directives apply also to schools conducted by members of a religious
institute, although they retain their autonomy in the internal management
of their schools.
§2 Those who are in charge of catholic schools are to ensure, under the
supervision of the local Ordinary, that the formation given in them is, in
its academic standards, at least as outstanding as that in other schools
in the area.
Chapter II : CATHOLIC UNIVERSITIES AND OTHER INSTITUTES OF HIGHER
STUDIES
Can. 807 The Church has the right to establish and to govern universi-ties,
which serve to promote the deeper culture and fuller development of the
human person, and to complement the Church’s own teaching office.
Can. 808 No university, even if it is in fact catholic, may bear the
title ‘catholic university’ except by the consent of the competent
ecclesiastical authority.
Can. 809 If it is possible and appropriate, Episcopal Conferences are
to take care to have within their territories suitably located
universities or at least faculties, in which the various disciplines,
while retaining their own scientific autonomy, may be researched and
taught in the light of catholic doctrine.
Can. 810 §1 In catholic universities it is the duty of the competent
statutory authority to ensure that there be appointed teachers who are not
only qualified in scientific and pedagogical expertise, but are also
outstanding in their integrity of doctrine and uprightness of life. If
these requirements are found to be lacking, it is also that authority’s
duty to see to it that these teachers are removed from office, in
accordance with the procedure determined in the statutes.
§2 The Episcopal Conference and the diocesan Bishops concerned have the
duty and the right of seeing to it that, in these universities, the
principles of catholic doctrine are faithfully observed.
Can. 811 §1 The competent ecclesiastical authority is to ensure that in
catholic universities there is established a faculty or an institute or at
least a chair of theology, in which lectures are given to lay students
also.
§2 In every catholic university there are to be lectures which
principally treat of those theological questions connected with the
studies of each faculty.
Can. 812 Those who teach theological subjects in any institute of
higher studies must have a mandate from the competent ecclesiastical
authority.
Can. 813 The diocesan Bishop is to be zealous in his pastoral care of
students, even by the creation of a special parish, or at least by
appointing priests with a stable assignment to this care. In all
universities, even in those which are not catholic, the diocesan Bishop is
to provide catholic university centres, to be of assistance to the young
people, especially in spiritual matters.
Can. 814 The provisions which are laid down for universities apply
equally to other institutes of higher studies.
Chapter III : ECCLESIASTICAL UNIVERSITIES AND FACULTIES
Can. 815 By virtue of its office to announce revealed truth, it belongs
to the Church to have its own ecclesiastical universities and faculties to
study the sacred sciences and subjects related to them, and to teach these
disciplines to students in a scientific manner.
Can. 816 §1 Ecclesiastical universities and faculties may be
constituted only by the Apostolic See or with its approval. Their overall
direction also belongs to the Apostolic See.
§2 Each ecclesiastical university and faculty must have its own
statutes and program of studies, approved by the Apostolic See.
Can. 817 Only a university or a faculty established or approved by the
Apostolic See may confer academic degrees which have canonical effects in
the Church.
Can. 818 The provisions of cann. 810,812 and 813 concerning catholic
universities apply also to ecclesiastical universities and faculties.
Can. 819 In so far as the good of a diocese or religious institute or
indeed even of the universal Church requires it, young persons, clerics
and members of institutes, outstanding in character, intelligence and
virtue, must be sent to ecclesiastical universities or faculties by their
diocesan Bishops or the Superiors of their institutes.
Can. 820 Moderators and professors of ecclesiastical universities and
faculties are to ensure that the various faculties of the university
cooperate with each other, to the extent that their aims permit. They are
also to ensure that between their own university or faculty and other
universities and faculties, even non-ecclesiastical ones, there be a
mutual cooperation in which, through conferences, coordinated scientific
research and other means, they work together for the greater increase of
scientific knowledge.
Can. 821 Where it is possible, the Episcopal Conference and the
diocesan Bishop are to provide for the establishment of institutes for
higher religious studies, in which are taught theological and other
subjects pertaining to christian culture.
TITLE IV : THE MEANS OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATION AND BOOKS IN PARTICULAR
Can. 822 §1 In exercising their office the pastors of the Church,
availing themselves of a right which belongs to the Church, are to make an
ample use of the means of social communication.
§2 Pastors are also to teach the faithful that they have the duty of
working together so that the use of the means of social communication may
be imbued with a human and christian spirit.
§3 All Christ’s faithful, especially those who in any way take part in
the management or use of the media, are to be diligent in assisting
pastoral action, so that the Church can more effectively exercise its
office through these means.
Can. 823 §1 In order to safeguard the integrity of faith and morals,
pastors of the Church have the duty and the right to ensure that in
writings or in the use of the means of social communication there should
be no ill effect on the faith and morals of Christ’s faithful. They also
have the duty and the right to demand that where writings of the faithful
touch upon matters of faith and morals, these be submitted to their
judgement. Moreover, they have the duty and the right to condemn writings
which harm true faith or good morals.
§2 For Christ’s faithful entrusted to their care, the duty and the
right mentioned in §1 belong to the Bishops, both as individuals and in
particular councils or Episcopal Conferences; for the whole people of God,
they belong to the supreme authority in the Church.
Can. 824 §1 Unless it is otherwise provided, the local Ordinary whose
permission or approval for publishing a book is to be sought according to
the canons of this title, is the author’s proper local Ordinary, or the
Ordinary of the place in which the book is published.
§2 Unless the contrary is clear, what is said in the canons of this
title about books, applies also to any writings intended for publication.
Can. 825 §1 Books of the sacred Scriptures may not be published unless
they are approved by the Apostolic See or the Episcopal Conference. The
publication of translations of the sacred Scriptures requires the approval
of the same authority, and they must have necessary and sufficient
explanatory notes.
§2 With the permission of the Episcopal Conference, catholic members of
Christ’s faithful, in cooperation with separated brethren, may prepare and
publish versions of the Scriptures, with appropriate explanatory notes.
Can. 826 §1 For liturgical books, the provisions of can. 838 are to be
observed.
§2 To republish liturgical books or to publish translations of all or
part of them, it must be established, by an attestation of the Ordinary of
the place in which they are published, that they accord with an approved
edition.
§3 Prayer books, for either the public or the private use of the
faithful, are not to be published except by permission of the local
Ordinary.
Can. 827 §1 Without prejudice to the provisions of can. 775 §2, the
publication of catechisms and other writings pertaining to catechetical
formation, as well as their translations, requires the approval of the
local Ordinary.
§2 Books dealing with matters concerning sacred Scripture, theology,
canon law, church history, or religious or moral subjects may not be used
as textbooks on which the instruction is based, in elementary,
intermediate or higher schools, unless they were published with the
approbation of the competent ecclesiastical authority or were subsequently
approved by that authority.
§3 It is recommended that books dealing with the subjects mentioned in
§2, even though not used as basic textbooks, and any writings which
specially concern religion or good morals, be submitted to the judgement
of the local Ordinary.
§4 Books or other written material dealing with religion or morals may
not be displayed, sold or given away in churches or oratories, unless they
were published with the permission of the competent ecclesiastical
authority or were subsequently approved by that authority.
Can. 828 Collections of decrees or acts published by any ecclesiastical
authority may not be republished without first seeking the permission of
the same authority and observing the conditions which it lays down.
Can. 829 Approval or permission to publish a work is valid only for the
first edition, but not for new editions or translations.
Can. 830 §1 Every local Ordinary retains the right to appoint persons
whom he considers competent to give a judgement about books. The Episcopal
Conference, however, may draw up a list of censors who are outstanding for
their knowledge, right doctrine and prudence, to be available to diocesan
curias; it may even establish a commission of censors whom the local
Ordinary can consult.
§2 In carrying out this task, a censor must put aside all preference of
persons and look only to the teaching of the Church concerning faith and
morals, as declared by its magisterium.
§3 The censor must give an opinion in writing. If it is favourable, the
Ordinary may, in his prudent judgement, give his permission for the work
to be published, adding his own name and the date and place of the
permission. If he does not give this permission, the Ordinary must inform
the author of the reasons for the refusal.
Can. 831 §1 Unless there is a just and reasonable cause, no member of
Christ’s faithful may write in newspapers, pamphlets or periodicals which
clearly are accustomed to attack the catholic religion or good morals.
Clerics and members of religious institutes may write in them only with
the permission of the local Ordinary.
§2 It is for the Episcopal Conference to lay down norms determining the
requirements for clerics and members of religious institutes to take part
in radio and television programmes which concern catholic doctrine or
morals.
Can. 832 To publish writings on matters of religion or morals, members
of religious institutes require also the permission of their major
Superior, in accordance with the constitutions.
TITLE V: THE PROFESSION OF FAITH
Can. 833 The following are personally bound to make a profession of
faith, according to the formula approved by the Apostolic See:
1̊ in the presence of the president or his delegate: all who, with a
deliberative or a consultative vote, take part in an Ecumenical Council, a
particular council, the synod of Bishops, or a diocesan synod; in the
presence of the council or synod: the president himself;
2̊ in accordance with the statutes of the sacred College: those
promoted to the dignity of Cardinal;
3̊ in the presence of a delegate of the Apostolic See: all who are
promoted to the episcopate, and all those who are equivalent to a diocesan
Bishop;
4̊ in the presence of the college of consultors: the diocesan
Administrator;
5̊ in the presence of the diocesan Bishop or his delegate: Vicars
general, episcopal Vicars and judicial Vicars;
6̊ in the presence of the local Ordinary or his delegate: parish
priests; the rector, professors of theology and philosophy in seminaries,
at the beginning of their term of office; and those who are to be promoted
to the order of diaconate;
7̊ in the presence of the Chancellor or, in the absence of the
Chancellor, the local Ordinary, or the delegates of either: the rector of
an ecclesiastical or catholic university, at the beginning of the term of
office- in the presence of the rector if he is a priest, or of the local
Ordinary or the delegates of either: those who in any universities teach
subjects which deal with faith or morals, at the beginning of their term
of office;
8̊ in accordance with the constitutions: Superiors in religious
institutes and clerical societies of apostolic life.
