CHAPTER I :
CHURCHES
Can.
1214 The term church means a sacred building intended for divine worship, to
which the faithful have right of access for the exercise, especially the public
exercise, of divine worship.
Can.
1215 §1 No church is to be built without the express and written consent of the
diocesan Bishop.
§2 The
diocesan Bishop is not to give his consent until he has consulted the council
of priests and the rectors of neighbouring churches, and then decides that the
new church can serve the good of souls and that the necessary means will be
available to build the church and to provide for divine worship.
§3 Even
though they have received the diocesan Bishop's consent to establish a new
house in a diocese or city, religious institutes must obtain the same Bishop's
permission before they may build a church in a specific and determined place.
Can.
1216 In the building and restoration of churches the advice of experts is to be
used, and the principles and norms of liturgy and of sacred art are to be
observed.
Can.
1217 §1 As soon as possible after completion of the building the new church is
to be dedicated or at least blessed, following the laws of the sacred liturgy.
§2
Churches, especially cathedrals and parish churches, are to be dedicated by a
solemn rite.
Can.
1218 Each church is to have its own title. Once the church has been dedicated
this title cannot be changed.
Can.
1219 All acts of divine worship may be carried out in a church which has been
lawfully dedicated or blessed, without prejudice to parochial rights.
Can.
1220 §1 Those responsible are to ensure that there is in churches such
cleanliness and ornamentation as befits the house of God, and that anything
which is discordant with the sacred character of the place is excluded.
§2 Ordinary
concern for preservation and appropriate means of security are to be employed
to safeguard sacred and precious goods.
Can.
1221 Entry to a church at the hours of sacred functions is to be open and free
of charge.
Can.
1222 §1 If a church cannot in any way be used for divine worship and there is
no possibility of its being restored, the diocesan Bishop may allow it to be
used for some secular but not unbecoming purpose.
§2 Where
other grave reasons suggest that a particular church should no longer be used
for divine worship, the diocesan Bishop may allow it to be used for a secular
but not unbecoming purpose. Before doing so, he must consult the council of
priests; he must also have the consent of those who could lawfully claim rights
over that church, and be sure that the good of souls would not be harmed by the
transfer.
|