CHAPTER I :
PREACHING THE WORD OF GOD
Can.
762 The people of God are first united through the word of the living God, and
are fully entitled to seek this word from their priests. For this reason sacred
ministers are to consider the office of preaching as of great importance, since
proclaiming the Gospel of God to all is among their principal duties.
Can.
763 Bishops have the right to preach the word of God everywhere, even in
churches and oratories of religious institutes of pontifical right, unless the
local Bishop has expressly forbidden it in particular cases.
Can.
764 Without prejudice to the provisions of can. 765, priests and deacons, with
the at least presumed consent of the rector of a church, have the faculty to
preach everywhere, unless this faculty has been restricted or removed by the
competent Ordinary, or unless particular law requires express permission.
Can.
765 To preach to religious in their churches or oratories, permission is
required of the Superior who is competent according to their constitutions.
Can.
766 The laity may be allowed to preach in a church or oratory if in certain
circumstances it is necessary, or in particular cases it would be advantageous,
according to the provisions of the Episcopal Conference and without prejudice
to can. 767 §1.
Can.
767 §1 The most important form of preaching is the homily, which is part of the
liturgy, and is reserved to a priest or deacon. In the course of the liturgical
year, the mysteries of faith and the rules of christian living are to be
expounded in the homily from the sacred text.
§2 At all
Masses on Sundays and holydays of obligation, celebrated with a congregation,
there is to be a homily and, except for a grave reason, this may not be
omitted.
§3 It is
strongly recommended that, if a sufficient number of people are present, there
be a homily at weekday Masses also, especially during Advent and Lent, or on a
feast day or an occasion of grief.
§4 It is
the responsibility of the parish priest or the rector of a church to ensure
that these provisions are carefully observed.
Can.
768 §1 Those who announce the word of God to Christ's faithful are first and
foremost to set out those things which it is necessary to believe and to
practise for the glory of God and the salvation of all.
§2 They are
also to explain to the faithful the teaching of the magisterium of the Church
concerning the dignity and freedom of the human person; the unity, stability
and duties of the family; people's social obligations and the ordering of
temporal affairs according to the plan established by God.
Can.
769 Christian teaching is to be explained in a manner that is suited to the
condition of the hearers and adapted to the circumstances of the times.
Can.
770 At certain times, according to the regulations of the diocesan Bishop,
parish priests are to arrange for sermons in the form of retreats and missions,
as they are called, or in other forms adapted to requirements.
Can.
771 §1 Pastors of souls, especially Bishops and parish priests, are to be
solicitous that the word of God is preached to those also of the faithful who,
because of the circumstances of their lives, cannot sufficiently avail
themselves of the ordinary pastoral care or are even totally deprived of it.
§2 They are
also to take care that the good news of the Gospel reaches those living in
their territory who are non-believers, since these too, no less than the
faithful, must be included in the care of souls.
Can.
772 §1 In the exercise of the office of preaching, everyone is moreover to
observe the norms laid down by the Bishop of the diocese.
§2 In
expounding christian teaching on radio or television, the provisions of the
Episcopal Conference are to be observed.
|