CHAPTER I. Churches

Can. 1214 By the term church is understood a sacred building designated for divine worship to which the faithful

have the right of entry for the exercise, especially the public exercise, of divine worship.

Can. 1215 §1. No church is to be built without the express written consent of the diocesan bishop.

§2. The diocesan bishop is not to give consent unless, after having heard the presbyteral council and the

rectors of the neighboring churches, he judges that the new church can serve the good of souls and that the means

necessary for building the church and for divine worship will not be lacking.

§3. Although religious institutes have received from the diocesan bishop consent to establish a new house in

the diocese or the city, they must also obtain his permission before building a church in a certain and determined

place.

Can. 1216 In the building and repair of churches, the principles and norms of the liturgy and of sacred art are to be

observed, after the advice of experts has been taken into account.

Can. 1217 §1. After construction has been completed properly, a new church is to be dedicated or at least blessed

as soon as possible; the laws of the sacred liturgy are to be observed.

§2. Churches, especially cathedrals and parish churches, are to be dedicated by the solemn rite.

Can. 1218 Each church is to have its own title which cannot be changed after the church has been dedicated.

Can. 1219 In a church that has legitimately been dedicated or blessed, all acts of divine worship can be performed,

without prejudice to parochial rights.

Can. 1220 §1. All those responsible are to take care that in churches such cleanliness and beauty are preserved as

befit a house of God and that whatever is inappropriate to the holiness of the place is excluded.

§2. Ordinary care for preservation and fitting means of security are to be used to protect sacred and precious

goods.

Can. 1221 Entry to a church is to be free and gratuitous during the time of sacred celebrations.

Can. 1222 §1. If a church cannot be used in any way for divine worship and there is no possibility of repairing it, the

diocesan bishop can relegate it to profane but not sordid use.

§2. Where other grave causes suggest that a church no longer be used for divine worship, the diocesan bishop,

after having heard the presbyteral council, can relegate it to profane but not sordid use, with the consent of those

who legitimately claim rights for themselves in the church and provided that the good of souls suVers no detriment

thereby.