Title IV. Instruments of Social Communication and Books in Particular (Cann. 822 - 832)

Can.822 §1. The pastors of the Church, using a right proper to the Church in fulfilling their function, are to

endeavor to make use of the instruments of social communication.

§2. These same pastors are to take care to teach the faithful that they are bound by the duty of

cooperating so that a human and Christian spirit enlivens the use of instruments of social communication.

§3. All the Christian faithful, especially those who in any way have a role in the regulation or use of the

same instruments, are to be concerned to offer assistance in pastoral action so that the Church exercises its

function effectively through these instruments.

Can.823 §1. In order to preserve the integrity of the truths of faith and morals, the pastors of the Church have

the duty and right to be watchful so that no harm is done to the faith or morals of the Christian faithful through

writings or the use of instruments of social communication. They also have the duty and right to demand that

writings to be published by the Christian faithful which touch upon faith or morals be submitted to their

judgment and have the duty and right to condemn writings which harm correct faith or good morals.

§2. Bishops, individually or gathered in particular councils or conferences of bishops, have the duty and

right mentioned in §1 with regard to the Christian faithful entrusted to their care; the supreme authority of the

Church, however, has this duty and right with regard to the entire people of God.

Can.824 §1. Unless it is established otherwise, the local ordinary whose permission or approval to publish books

must be sought according to the canons of this title is the proper local ordinary of the author or the ordinary of

the place where the books are published.

§2. Those things established regarding books in the canons of this title must be applied to any writings

whatsoever which are destined for public distribution, unless it is otherwise evident.

Can.825 §1. Books of the sacred scriptures cannot be published unless the Apostolic See or the conference of

bishops has approved them. For the publication of their translations into the vernacular, it is also required that

they be approved by the same authority and provided with necessary and sufficient annotations.

§2. With the permission of the conference of bishops, Catholic members of the Christian faithful in

collaboration with separated brothers and sisters can prepare and publish translations of the sacred scriptures

provided with appropriate annotations.

Can.826 §1. The prescripts of can. 838 are to be observed concerning liturgical books.

§2. To reprint liturgical books, their translations into the vernacular, or their parts, an attestation of the

ordinary of the place where they are published must establish their agreement with the approved edition.

§3. Books of prayers for the public or private use of the faithful are not to be published without the

permission of the local ordinary.

Can.827 §1. To be published, catechisms and other writings pertaining to catechetical instruction or their

translations require the approval of the local ordinary, without prejudice to the prescript of can. 775, §2.

§2. Books which regard questions pertaining to sacred scripture, theology, canon law, ecclesiastical history,

and religious or moral disciplines cannot be used as texts on which instruction is based in elementary, middle, or

higher schools unless they have been published with the approval of competent ecclesiastical authority or have

been approved by it subsequently.

§3. It is recommended that books dealing with the matters mentioned in §2, although not used as texts in

instruction, as well as writings which especially concern religion or good morals are submitted to the judgment of

the local ordinary.

§4. Books or other writings dealing with questions of religion or morals cannot be exhibited, sold, or

distributed in churches or oratories unless they have been published with the permission of competent

ecclesiastical authority or approved by it subsequently.

Can.828 It is not permitted to reprint collections of decrees or acts published by some ecclesiastical authority

unless the prior permission of the same authority has been obtained and the conditions prescribed by it have

been observed.

Can.829 The approval or permission to publish some work is valid for the original text but not for new editions or

translations of the same.

Can.830 §1. The conference of bishops can compile a list of censors outstanding in knowledge, correct doctrine,

and prudence to be available to diocesan curias or can also establish a commission of censors which local

ordinaries can consult; the right of each local ordinary to entrust judgment regarding books to persons he

approves, however, remains intact.

§2. In fulfilling this office, laying aside any favoritism, the censor is to consider only the doctrine of the

Church concerning faith and morals as it is proposed by the ecclesiastical magisterium.

§3. A censor must give his or her opinion in writing; if it is favorable, the ordinary, according to his own

prudent judgment, is to grant permission for publication to take place, with his name and the time and place of

the permission granted expressed. If he does not grant permission, the ordinary is to communicate the reasons for

the denial to the author of the work.

Can.831 §1. Except for a just and reasonable cause, the Christian faithful are not to write anything for

newspapers, magazines, or periodicals which are accustomed to attack openly the Catholic religion or good

morals; clerics and members of religious institutes, however, are to do so only with the permission of the local

ordinary.

§2. It is for the conference of bishops to establish norms concerning the requirements for clerics and

members of religious institutes to take part on radio or television in dealing with questions of Catholic doctrine

or morals.

Can.832 Members of religious institutes also need permission of their major superior according to the norm of the

constitutions in order to publish writings dealing with questions of religion or morals.