CHAPTER III. Private Associations of the Christian Faithful

Can.321 The Christian faithful guide and direct private associations according to the prescripts of the statutes.

Can.322 §1. A private association of the Christian faithful can acquire juridic personality through a formal decree

of the competent ecclesiastical authority mentioned in can. 312.

§2. No private association of the Christian faithful can acquire juridic personality unless the ecclesiastical

authority mentioned in can. 312, §1 has approved its statutes. Approval of the statutes, however, does not change

the private nature of the association.

Can.323 §1. Although private associations of the Christian faithful possess autonomy according to the norm of can.

321, they are subject to the vigilance of ecclesiastical authority according to the norm of can. 305 and even to the

governance of the same authority.

§2. It also pertains to ecclesiastical authority, while respecting the autonomy proper to private associations, to

be watchful and careful that dissipation of their energies is avoided and that their exercise of the apostolate is

ordered to the common good.

Can.324 §1. A private association of the Christian faithful freely designates its moderator and officials according

to the norm of the statutes.

§2. A private association of the Christian faithful can freely choose a spiritual advisor, if it desires one, from

among the priests exercising ministry legitimately in the diocese; nevertheless, he needs the confirmation of the local

ordinary.

Can.325 §1. A private association of the Christian faithful freely administers those goods it possesses according to

the prescripts of the statutes, without prejudice to the right of competent ecclesiastical authority to exercise vigilance

so that the goods are used for the purposes of the association.

§2. A private association is subject to the authority of the local ordinary according to the norm of can. 1301

in what pertains to the administration and distribution of goods which have been donated or left to it for pious

causes.

Can.326 §1. A private association of the Christian faithful ceases to exist according to the norm of its statutes. The

competent authority can also suppress it if its activity causes grave harm to ecclesiastical doctrine or discipline or is

a scandal to the faithful.

§2. The allocation of the goods of an association which has ceased to exist must be determined according to

the norm of its statutes, without prejudice to acquired rights and the intention of the donors.