PART I :
THE SACRAMENTS
Can.
840 The sacraments of the New Testament were instituted by Christ the Lord and
entrusted to the Church. As actions of Christ and of the Church, they are signs
and means by which faith is expressed and strengthened, worship is offered to
God and our sanctification is brought about. Thus they contribute in the most
effective manner to establishing, strengthening and manifesting ecclesiastical
communion. Accordingly, in the celebration of the sacraments both the sacred
ministers and all the other members of Christ's faithful must show great
reverence and due care.
Can.
841 Since the sacraments are the same throughout the universal Church, and
belong to the divine deposit of faith, only the supreme authority in the Church
can approve or define what is needed for their validity. It belongs to the same
authority, or to another competent authority in accordance with can. 838 §§3
and 4, to determine what is required for their lawful celebration,
administration and reception and for the order to be observed in their
celebration.
Can.
842 §1 A person who has not received baptism cannot validly be admitted to the
other sacraments.
§2 The
sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the blessed Eucharist so complement one
another that all three are required for full christian initiation.
Can.
843 §1 Sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who opportunely
ask for them, are properly disposed and are not prohibited by law from
receiving them.
§2
According to their respective offices in the Church, both pastors of souls and
all other members of Christ's faithful have a duty to ensure that those who ask
for the sacraments are prepared for their reception. This should be done
through proper evangelisation and catechetical instruction, in accordance with
the norms laid down by the competent authority.
Can.
844 §1 Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments only to
catholic members of Christ's faithful, who equally may lawfully receive them
only from catholic ministers, except as provided in §§2, 3 and 4 of this canon
and in can. 861 §2.
§2 Whenever
necessity requires or a genuine spiritual advantage commends it, and provided
the danger of error or indifferentism is avoided, Christ's faithful for whom it
is physically or morally impossible to approach a catholic minister, may
lawfully receive the sacraments of penance, the Eucharist and anointing of the
sick from non-catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid.
§3 Catholic
ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments of penance, the Eucharist and
anointing of the sick to members of the eastern Churches not in full communion
with the catholic Church, if they spontaneously ask for them and are properly
disposed. The same applies to members of other Churches which the Apostolic See
judges to be in the same position as the aforesaid eastern Churches so far as
the sacraments are concerned.
§4 If there
is a danger of death or if, in the judgement of the diocesan Bishop or of the
Episcopal Conference, there is some other grave and pressing need, catholic
ministers may lawfully administer these same sacraments to other christians not
in full communion with the catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of
their own community and who spontaneously ask for them, provided that they
demonstrate the catholic faith in respect of these sacraments and are properly
disposed.
§5 In
respect of the cases dealt with in §§2, 3 and 4, the diocesan Bishop or the
Episcopal Conference is not to issue general norms except after consultation
with the competent authority, at least at the local level, of the non-catholic
Church or community concerned.
Can.
845 §1 Because they imprint a character, the sacraments of baptism,
confirmation and order cannot be repeated.
§2 If after
diligent enquiry a prudent doubt remains as to whether the sacraments mentioned
in §1 have been conferred at all, or conferred validly, they are to be
conferred conditionally.
Can.
846 §1 The liturgical books, approved by the competent authority, are to be
faithfully followed in the celebration of the sacraments. Accordingly, no one
may on a personal initiative add to or omit or alter anything in those books.
§2 The
ministers are to celebrate the sacraments according to their own rite.
Can.
847 §1 In administering sacraments in which holy oils are to be used, the
minister must use oil made from olives or other plants, which, except as
provided in can. 999, n. 2, has recently been consecrated or blessed by a
Bishop. Older oil is not to be used except in a case of necessity.
§2 The
parish priest is to obtain the holy oils from his own Bishop and keep them
carefully in fitting custody.
Can.
848 For the administration of the sacraments the minister may not ask for
anything beyond the offerings which are determined by the competent authority,
and he must always ensure that the needy are not deprived of the help of the
sacraments by reason of poverty.
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