TITLE II:
CUSTOM (Cann. 23 - 28)
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.
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