Canon 404

1. In addition to catechetical instruction, which should be received from infancy, lay persons have the right and obligation of

acquiring a knowledge, suitable to their capacity and condition,

of the doctrine revealed by Christ and taught by the authentic

magisterium of the Church, so that they may be able not only to

live according to that doctrine, but also to announce it, and, if

need be, to defend it. 2. Lay persons also possess the right

to acquire that deeper knowledge of the sacred sciences which are

taught in ecclesiastical universities or faculties or in institutes of religious science by attending classes and obtaining

academic degrees. 3. Likewise, the prescriptions as to the

required suitability having been observed, lay persons are qualified to receive a mandate to teach the sacred sciences from

competent ecclesiastical authority.