Title XXII: Of Schools

§ 1. All the faithful are to be instructed from childhood in such a way that not only is nothing handed on to them which is opposed to the Catholic religion and uprightness of morals, but religious and moral instruction holds the principal place.

§ 2. Not only parents according to the norm of can. 1113, but also all who hold their place, have the right and most grave office of taking care of the Christian education of children.

§ 1. In any elementary school, religious instruction is to be handed on to children according to their age.

§ 2. Youth who attend middle or higher schools are to be cultivated with fuller doctrine of religion, and local Ordinaries are to take care that this be done by priests outstanding in zeal and doctrine.

Catholic children are not to attend non-Catholic, neutral, or mixed schools, namely those which are open also to non-Catholics. It belongs only to the local Ordinary to decide, according to the norm of the instructions of the Apostolic See, in what circumstances and with what cautions applied, so that the danger of perversion may be avoided, it can be tolerated that those schools be attended.

The Church has the right of founding schools of any discipline, not only elementary schools, but also middle and higher schools.

§ 1. The canonical constitution of a Catholic University of studies or Faculty is reserved to the Apostolic See.

§ 2. A Catholic University or Faculty, even one entrusted to any religious families whatever, must have its statutes approved by the Apostolic See.

No one can confer academic degrees which have canonical effects in the Church, unless by faculty granted by the Apostolic See.

It is the right of doctors duly created to wear, outside sacred functions, even a ring with a gem and the doctoral biretta, with the prescription of the sacred canons moreover remaining firm, which establish that in the conferral of certain ecclesiastical offices and benefices, all else being equal, in the judgment of the Ordinary, those are to be preferred who have obtained the laurea or licentiate.

§ 1. If Catholic schools according to the norm of can. 1373, whether elementary or middle, are lacking, care is to be taken, especially by local Ordinaries, that they be founded.

§ 2. Likewise, if public universities of studies are not imbued with Catholic doctrine and sense, it is to be desired that a Catholic University be founded in the nation or region.

§ 3. Let the faithful not omit to contribute helping labor according to their strength for founding and sustaining Catholic schools.

It is to be desired that local Ordinaries, according to their prudence, send clerics outstanding in piety and talent to schools of some University or Faculty founded or approved by the Church, so that there they may complete studies especially of philosophy, theology, and canon law, and obtain academic degrees.

§ 1. The religious instruction of youth in any schools whatever is subject to the authority and inspection of the Church.

§ 2. Local Ordinaries have the right and office of watching lest in any schools of their territory anything be handed on or done against faith or good morals.

§ 3. They likewise have the right of approving teachers and books of religion; and likewise, for the cause of religion and morals, of requiring that both teachers and books be removed.

Local Ordinaries, either personally by themselves or through others, can also visit any schools, oratories, recreatories, patronages, etc., in those things which regard religious and moral instruction; from this visitation the schools of any religious are not exempt, unless there is question of internal schools for professed members of an exempt religion.

In the religious instruction of students of some college, the prescription of can. 891 is to be observed.