Chapter VI: Of the Resignation and Exchange of Benefices

The Ordinary is not to admit the resignation of a benefice made by a cleric constituted in major orders, unless it is established that he has from elsewhere the things necessary for decent support, and with the prescription of can. 584 remaining firm.

The resignation of a benefice by title of which the cleric was ordained is invalid unless express mention is made that the cleric had been promoted by title of that benefice and, with the consent of the Ordinary, had substituted another legitimate title of ordination for it.

The Ordinary cannot admit the resignation of benefices in favor of others or under some condition which touches the provision of the benefice itself or the expenditure of revenues, except in the case in which the benefice is litigious and the resignation is made by one or the other of the litigants in favor of the other.

§ 1. The exchange of two benefices cannot be made validly unless on account of the necessity or utility of the Church or for another just cause, without detriment to others, with the consent of the patron, if there is question of a benefice of the right of patronage, and of the local Ordinary, but not of the Vicar General without a special mandate, nor of the Vicar Capitular, and with the prescription of can. 186 observed.

§ 2. The Ordinary is to grant or deny consent within a month; and the exchange is valid from the moment of consent granted by the Ordinary.

§ 3. The exchange of benefices cannot be admitted by the Ordinary if both benefices or either one is reserved to the Apostolic See.

§ 1. If the benefices to be exchanged are unequal, they cannot be compensated by reservation of fruits or by the payment of money or of any thing estimable by price.

§ 2. An exchange cannot be made between more than two beneficiaries.