Title III. Usurpation of Ecclesiastical Functions and Delicts in Their Exercise(Cann. 1378 - 1389)

Can.1378 §1. A priest who acts against the prescript of can. 977 incurs a latae sententiae excommunication

reserved to the Apostolic See.

§2. The following incur a latae sententiae penalty of interdict or, if a cleric, a latae sententiae penalty of

suspension:

1/ a person who attempts the liturgical action of the Eucharistic sacrifice though not promoted to the

sacerdotal order;

2/ apart from the case mentioned in §1, a person who, though unable to give sacramental absolution

validly, attempts to impart it or who hears sacramental confession.

§3. In the cases mentioned in §2, other penalties, not excluding excommunication, can be added

according to the gravity of the delict.

Can.1379 In addition to the cases mentioned in can. 1378, a person who simulates the administration of a

sacrament is to be punished with a just penalty.

Can.1380 A person who celebrates or receives a sacrament through simony is to be punished with an interdict or

suspension.

Can.1381 §1. Whoever usurps an ecclesiastical office is to be punished with a just penalty.

§2. Illegitimate retention of a function after its privation or cessation is equivalent to usurpation.

Can.1382 A bishop who consecrates some one a bishop without a pontifical mandate and the person who

receives the consecration from him incur a latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See.

Can.1383 A bishop who, contrary to the prescript of can. 1015, ordains without legitimate dimissorial letters

someone who is not his subject is prohibited for a year from conferring the order. The person who has received

the ordination, however, is ipso facto suspended from the order received.

Can.1384 In addition to the cases mentioned in cann. 1378–1383, a person who illegitimately performs a priestly

function or another sacred ministry can be punished with a just penalty.

Can.1385 A person who illegitimately makes a profit from a Mass offering is to be punished with a censure or

another just penalty.

Can.1386 A person who gives or promises something so that someone who exercises a function in the Church

will do or omit something illegitimately is to be punished with a just penalty; likewise, the one who accepts such

gifts or promises.

Can.1387 A priest who in the act, on the occasion, or under the pretext of confession solicits a penitent to sin

against the sixth commandment of the Decalogue is to be punished, according to the gravity of the delict, by

suspension, prohibitions, and privations; in graver cases he is to be dismissed from the clerical state.

Can.1388 §1. A confessor who directly violates the sacramental seal incurs a latae sententiae excommunication

reserved to the Apostolic See; one who does so only indirectly is to be punished according to the gravity of the

delict.

§2. An interpreter and the others mentioned in can. 983, §2 who violate the secret are to be punished with

a just penalty, not excluding excommunication.

Can.1389 §1. A person who abuses an ecclesiastical power or function is to be punished according to the gravity

of the act or omission, not excluding privation of office, unless a law or precept has already established the

penalty for this abuse.

§2. A person who through culpable negligence illegitimately places or omits an act of ecclesiastical power,

ministry, or function with harm to another is to be punished with a just penalty.