Chapter VIII: Of Vicars Forane

A vicar forane is a priest who is placed by the Bishop over a forane vicariate, of which in can. 217.

§ 1. For the duty of vicar forane, the Bishop is to choose a priest whom he shall have judged worthy, especially from among the rectors of parochial churches.

§ 2. A vicar forane can be removed at the will of the Bishop.

§ 1. To the vicar forane, besides the faculties which the provincial or diocesan Synod grants him and according to the norms legitimately established in that same Synod or to be established by the Bishop, belongs the right and duty of watching especially:

1° Whether the ecclesiastical men of his region or district lead life according to the norm of the sacred canons and diligently satisfy their offices, especially concerning the law of residence, the preaching of the divine word, the catechesis to be imparted to children and adults, and the obligation of assisting the sick.

2° Whether the decrees issued by the Bishop in the sacred visitation are carried out.

3° Whether due precautions are applied concerning the matter of the Eucharistic Sacrifice.

4° Whether the decorum and neatness of churches and of sacred furnishings, especially in the custody of the most holy Sacrament and in the celebration of Mass, are accurately observed; whether sacred functions are celebrated according to the prescriptions of sacred liturgy; whether ecclesiastical goods are diligently administered and the burdens attached to them, chiefly those of Masses, are duly fulfilled; whether the parochial books are rightly written and preserved.

§ 2. In order that he may be made more certain concerning all these things, the vicar forane must visit the parishes of his district at the times established by the Bishop.

§ 3. It also pertains to the vicar forane, as soon as he has heard that some pastor of his district is gravely ill, to take care that he not lack spiritual and material aids and an honorable funeral when he dies; and to take care that, while he is ill or dying, the books, documents, sacred furnishings, and other things which pertain to the church do not perish or be carried away.

§ 1. The vicar forane must, on the days designated by the Bishop, convoke the presbyters of his own district to the meetings or conferences of which in can. 131 and preside over the same; but where several assemblies of this kind are held in various places of the district, he is to watch that they are duly celebrated.

§ 2. If he is not a pastor, he must reside in the territory of the vicariate or in another place not very distant, according to norms to be defined by the Bishop.

At least once a year the vicar forane must render an account of his own vicariate to the local Ordinary, setting forth not only those things which have been done well within the year, but also what evils have crept in, what scandals have arisen, what remedies have been applied for repairing them, and whatever he judges must be done to eradicate them root and branch.

§ 1. The vicar forane is to have the proper seal of the vicariate.

§ 2. He precedes all pastors and other priests of his district.