ARTICLE 1:
THE ROMAN PONTIFF
Can.
331 The office uniquely committed by the Lord to Peter, the first of the
Apostles, and to be transmitted to his successors, abides in the Bishop of the
Church of Rome. He is the head of the College of Bishops, the Vicar of Christ,
and the Pastor of the universal Church here on earth. Consequently, by virtue
of his office, he has supreme, full, immediate and universal ordinary power in
the Church, and he can always freely exercise this power.
Can.
332 §1 The Roman Pontiff acquires full and supreme power in the Church when,
together with episcopal consecration, he has been lawfully elected and has
accepted the election. Accordingly, if he already has the episcopal character,
he receives this power from the moment he accepts election to the supreme
pontificate. If he does not have the episcopal character, he is immediately to
be ordained Bishop.
§2 Should
it happen that the Roman Pontiff resigns from his office, it is required for
validity that the resignation be freely made and properly manifested, but it is
not necessary that it be accepted by anyone.
Can.
333 §1 By virtue of his office, the Roman Pontiff not only has power over the
universal Church, but also has pre-eminent ordinary power over all particular
Churches and their groupings. This reinforces and defends the proper, ordinary
and immediate power which the Bishops have in the particular Churches entrusted
to their care.
§2 The
Roman Pontiff, in fulfilling his office as supreme Pastor of the Church, is
always joined in full communion with the other Bishops, and indeed with the
whole Church. He has the right, however, to determine, according to the needs
of the Church, whether this office is to be exercised in a personal or in a
collegial manner.
§3 There is
neither appeal nor recourse against a judgement or a decree of the Roman
Pontiff.
Can.
334 The Bishops are available to the Roman Pontiff in the exercise of his
office, to cooperate with him in various ways, among which is the synod of
Bishops. Cardinals also assist him, as do other persons and, according to the
needs of the time, various institutes; all these persons and institutes fulfil
their offices in his name and by his authority, for the good of all the
Churches, in accordance with the norms determined by law.
Can.
335 When the Roman See is vacant, or completely impeded, no innovation is to be
made in the governance of the universal Church. The special laws enacted for
these circumstances are to be observed.
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