Canon 1423

1. Without prejudice to the right of the Roman Pontiff to reserve to himself or others the remitting of any penalty, the

synod of bishops of the patriarchal Church or major archiepiscopal Churches can for serious reasons by the enactment of a law

reserve the remitting of penalties to the patriarch or major

archbishop, in respect of their subjects who have a domicile or

quasi-domicile within the territorial boundaries of the Church

over which they preside. Nobody else can validly reserve to

himself or to others the penalties established in common law

except with the consent of the Apostolic See. 2. Every reservation is to be interpreted strictly.