Chapter XI: Of Rectors of Churches

§ 1. Under the name of rectors of churches here come priests to whom the care of some church is entrusted, which is neither parochial nor capitular, nor attached to the house of a religious community that celebrates offices in the same.

§ 2. Concerning the chaplain of nuns, of members of a male lay religion, of a confraternity, or of another legitimate association, the prescriptions of particular canons are to be observed.

§ 1. Rectors of churches are freely named by the local Ordinary, with the right of electing or presenting preserved if it legitimately belongs to anyone; in which case it is for the Ordinary to approve the rector.

§ 2. Although the church pertains to some exempt religion, nevertheless the rector named by the Superior must be approved by the local Ordinary.

§ 3. If a church is joined with a Seminary or another college which is governed by clerics, the Superior of the Seminary or college is at the same time rector of the church, unless the local Ordinary has established otherwise.

In the church committed to him the rector cannot perform parochial functions.

The rector of a church can celebrate divine offices, even solemn ones, there, with legitimate laws of foundation preserved and provided they do not harm the parochial ministry; but in doubt whether a detriment of this kind occurs or not, it is for the local Ordinary to decide the matter and prescribe opportune norms for avoiding it.

If a church, in the judgment of the local Ordinary, is so distant from the parochial church that parishioners cannot without grave inconvenience go to the parochial church and there attend divine offices:

1° The local Ordinary, even with grave penalties established, can command the rector to celebrate offices at hours more convenient for the people, to announce feast days and fasts to the faithful, and to hand on catechetical instruction and explanation of the Gospel.

2° The pastor can take from the same church the most holy Sacrament, perhaps reserved there according to the norm of can. 1265, for the sick.

§ 1. Without the at least presumed license of the rector or another legitimate Superior, it is lawful for no one to celebrate Mass in the church, administer Sacraments, or perform other sacred functions; but this license must be given or denied according to the norm of law.

§ 2. As regards sermons to be held in the church, the prescriptions of canons 1337-1342 are to be observed.

The rector of a church, under the authority of the local Ordinary and with legitimate statutes and acquired rights preserved, must take care or watch that divine offices are celebrated in orderly fashion in the church according to the prescriptions of the sacred canons, that burdens are faithfully fulfilled, goods duly administered, provision made for the preservation and decor of sacred furnishings and sacred buildings, and that nothing is done which in any way is repugnant to the sanctity of the place and to the reverence owed to the house of God.

The local Ordinary can remove the rector of a church at will from any just cause, even if he has been elected or presented by others; but if the rector was a religious, the prescription of can. 454, Sec. 5 is to be observed concerning his removal.