Canon 1520

1. A decree has legal force when it is communicated to the one

to whom it is destined, according to the laws and the most secure

ways of the place. 2. If there is danger of a public or private harm so that the text of the decree cannot be given in writing, the ecclesiastical authority can issue it by reading it before an ecclesiastical notary or two witnesses to the person for

whom it is destined and by having all present sign an instrument

stating that this was done; the decree is then considered to have

been communicated. 3. If a person for whom a decree is destined refuses to accept the communication or, summoned according

to the law to a meeting in order to receive or hear the decree,

refuses, without a just cause to be evaluated by the author of

the decree, to come to the meeting or to sign the instrument

mentioned in 2, the decree is considered to have been communicated.