CHAPTER II. Metropolitans

Can.435 A metropolitan, who is the archbishop of his diocese, presides offer an ecclesiastical province. The office

of metropolitan is joined with an episcopal see determined or approved by the Roman Pontiff.

Can.436 §1. In the suffragan dioceses, a metropolitan is competent:

1/ to exercise vigilance so that the faith and ecclesiastical discipline are observed carefully and to inform the

Roman Pontiff of abuses, if there are any;

2/ to conduct a canonical visitation for a cause previously approved by the Apostolic See if a suffragan has

neglected it;

3/ to designate a diocesan administrator according to the norm of cann. 421, §2, and 425, §3.

§2. Where circumstances demand it, the Apostolic See can endow a metropolitan with special functions and

power to be determined in particular law.

§3. The metropolitan has no other power of governance in the suffragan dioceses. He can perform sacred

functions, however, as if he were a bishop in his own diocese in all churches, but he is first to inform the diocesan

bishop if the church is the cathedral.

Can.437 §1. Within three months from the reception of episcopal consecration or if he has already been

consecrated, from the canonical provision, a metropolitan is obliged to request the pallium from the Roman Pontiff

either personally or through a proxy. The pallium signifies the power which the metropolitan, in communion with

the Roman Church, has by law in his own province.

§2. A metropolitan can use the pallium according to the norm of liturgical laws within any church of the

ecclesiastical province offer which he presides, but not outside it, even if the diocesan bishop gives his assent.

§3. A metropolitan needs a new pallium if he is transferred to another metropolitan see.

Can.438 The titles of patriarch and primate entail no power of governance in the Latin Church apart from a

prerogative of honor unless in some matters the contrary is clear from apostolic privilege or approved custom.