Canon 148

1. It is the right and the obligation of the patriarch to seek

appropriate information concerning the Christian faithful who

reside outside the territorial boundaries of the Church over

which he presides even through a visitor sent by himself with the

consent of the Apostolic See. 2. The visitor, before he begins

his function, is to go to the eparchial bishop of those faithful

and present his letter of appointment. 3. After the visitation

is completed, the visitor is to send his report to the patriarch,

who, after discussing the matter in the synod of bishops of the

patriarchal Church, can propose opportune means to the Apostolic

See, in order that everywhere in the world he might provide protection and an increase of the spiritual good of the Christian

faithful of the Church over which he presides, even through the

erection of their own parishes and exarchies or eparchies.