CHAPTER
VIII : RECTORS OF CHURCHES AND CHAPLAINS
ARTICLE 1:
RECTORS OF CHURCHES
Can.
556 Rectors of churches are here understood to be priests to whom is entrusted the
care of some church which is neither a parochial nor a capitular church, nor a
church attached to the house of a religious community or a society of apostolic
life which holds services in it.
Can.
557 §1 The rector of a church is freely appointed by the diocesan Bishop,
without prejudice to a right of election or presentation to which someone may
lawfully have claim: in which case the diocesan Bishop has the right to confirm
or to appoint the rector.
§2 Even if
the church belongs to some clerical religious institute of pontifical right, it
is for the diocesan Bishop to appoint the rector presented by the Superior.
§3 The
rector of a church which is attached to a seminary or to a college governed by
clerics, is the rector of the seminary or college, unless the diocesan Bishop
has determined otherwise.
Can.
558 Without prejudice to can. 262, the rector of a church may not perform in
his church the parochial functions mentioned in can. 530 nn. 1 - 6, without the
consent or, where the matter requires it, the delegation of the parish priest.
Can.
559 The rector can conduct liturgical celebrations, even solemn ones, in the
church entrusted to him, without prejudice to the legitimate laws of a
foundation, and on condition that in the judgement of the local Ordinary these
celebrations do not in any way harm the parochial ministry.
Can.
560 Where he considers it opportune, the local Ordinary may direct the rector
to celebrate in his church certain functions for the people, even parochial
functions, and also to open the church to certain groups of the faithful so
that they may hold liturgical celebrations there.
Can.
561 Without the permission of the rector or some other lawful superior, no one
may celebrate the Eucharist, administer the sacraments, or perform other sacred
functions in the church. This permission is to be given or refused in
accordance with the law.
Can.
562 Under the authority of the local Ordinary, having observed the lawful
statutes and respected acquired rights, the rector of a church is obliged to
see that sacred functions are worthily celebrated in the church, in accordance
with liturgical and canon law, that obligations are faithfully fulfilled, that
the property is carefully administered, and that the maintenance and adornment
of the furnishings and buildings are assured.
He must
also ensure that nothing is done which is in any way unbecoming to the holiness
of the place and to the reverence due to the house of God.
Can.
563 For a just reason, the local Ordinary may in accordance with his prudent
judgement remove the rector of a church from office, even if he had been
elected or presented by others, but without prejudice to can. 682 §2.
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