CHAPTER III
: PRIVATE ASSOCIATIONS OF CHRIST'S FAITHFUL
Can.
321 Christ's faithful direct and moderate private associations according to the
provisions of the statutes.
Can.
322 §1 A private association of Christ's faithful can acquire juridical
personality by a formal decree of the competent ecclesiastical authority
mentioned in can. 312.
§2 No
private association of Christ's faithful can acquire juridical personality
unless its statutes are approved by the ecclesiastical authority mentioned in
can. 312 §1. The approval of the statutes does not, however, change the private
nature of the association.
Can.
323 §1 Although private associations of Christ's faithful enjoy their own
autonomy in accordance with can. 321, they are subject to the supervision of
ecclesiastical authority, in accordance with can. 305, and also to the
governance of the same authority.
§2 It is
also the responsibility of ecclesiastical authority, with due respect for the
autonomy of private associations, to oversee and ensure that there is no
dissipation of their forces, and that the exercise of their apostolate is
directed to the common good.
Can.
324 §1 A private association of Christ's faithful can freely designate for
itself a moderator and officers, in accordance with the statutes.
§2 If a
private association of Christ's faithful wishes to have a spiritual counsellor,
it can freely choose one for itself from among the priests who lawfully
exercise a ministry in the diocese, but the priest requires the confirmation of
the local Ordinary.
Can.
325 §1 A private association of Christ's faithful is free to administer any
goods it possesses, according to the provisions of the statutes, but the
competent ecclesiastical authority has the right to ensure that the goods are
applied to the purposes of the association.
§2 In
accordance with can. 1301, the association is subject to the authority of the
local Ordinary in whatever concerns the administration and distribution of
goods which are donated or left to it for pious purposes.
Can.
326 §1 A private association of Christ's faithful is extinguished in accordance
with the norms of the statutes. It can also be suppressed by the competent
authority if its activity gives rise to grave harm to ecclesiastical teaching
or discipline, or is a scandal to the faithful.
§2 The fate
of the goods of a private association which ceases to exist is to be determined
in accordance with the statutes, without prejudice to acquired rights and to
the wishes of donors.
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