Chapter — 1917 Code of Canon Law
Chapter III: Of Archconfraternities and Primary Unions
Superseded as law in 1983 — read why this Code still matters. Each canon links to its 1983 counterpart.
Sodalities which possess the right of aggregating to themselves other associations of the same species are called archsodalities, or archconfraternities, or primary pious unions, congregations, or societies.
Sodalitia quae iure pollent alias eiusdem speciei associationes sibi aggregandi, archisodalitia, vel archiconfraternitates, vel piae uniones, congregationes, societates primariae appellantur.
§ 1. No association can validly aggregate others to itself without an apostolic indult.
§ 2. An archconfraternity or primary union can aggregate to itself only those confraternities or pious unions which are of the same title and end, unless the apostolic indult provides otherwise.
§ 1. Nulla associatio potest sine apostolico indulto alias sibi valide aggregare.
§ 2. Archiconfraternitas vel primaria unio eas tantum potest confraternitates vel pias uniones sibi aggregare, quae sint eiusdem tituli ac finis, nisi indultum apostolicum aliud ferat.
§ 1. Through aggregation are communicated all communicable indulgences, privileges, and other spiritual graces which have been granted directly and by name by the Apostolic See to the aggregating association or may be granted in the future, unless something else is provided in the apostolic indult.
§ 2. From this communication the aggregating association acquires no right over the aggregated association.
§ 1. Per aggregationem communicantur omnes indulgentiae, privilegia et aliae gratiae spirituales communicabiles quae associationi aggreganti directe et nominatim a Sede Apostolica concessae fuerint vel in posterum concedantur, nisi aliud in indulto apostolico caveatur.
§ 2. Ex hac communicatione nullum ius associatio aggregans acquirit supra aggregatam.
For the validity of aggregation it is required that:
1° The association has already been canonically erected and has not been aggregated to another archconfraternity or primary union.
2° It is done with the consent of the local Ordinary given in writing together with his testimonial letters.
3° The indulgences, privileges, and other spiritual graces which are communicated through aggregation are enumerated in a list, recognized by the Ordinary of the place in which the archconfraternity is situated and to be handed over to the aggregated society.
4° The aggregation is made according to the formula prescribed in the statutes and in perpetuity.
5° The letters of aggregation are issued entirely gratis and for no payment at all, even one spontaneously offered, excepting necessary expenses.
Ad aggregationis validitatem requiritur ut:
1° Associatio iam fuerit canonice erecta nec alii archiconfraternitati vel primariae unioni aggregata;
2° Fiat de consensu Ordinarii loci scriptis dato una cum eius litteris testimonialibus;
3° Indulgentiae, privilegia et aliae gratiae spirituales quae per aggregationem communicantur, enumerentur in elencho, ab Ordinario loci in quo archiconfraternitas sita est, recognito et societati aggregatae tradendo;
4° Aggregatio fiat formula in statutis praescripta et in perpetuum;
5° Litterae aggregationis expediantur gratis omnino et nulla prorsus mercede etiam sponte oblata, exceptis necessariis expensis.
An archconfraternity or primary union can be transferred from one seat to another only by the Apostolic See.
Archiconfraternitas vel primaria unio de alia ad aliam sedem nonnisi ab Apostolica Sede transferri potest.
The title of archsodality or archconfraternity or primary union, even only for the sake of honor, can be granted to an association by the Apostolic See alone.
Titulus archisodalitii vel archiconfraternitatis vel unionis primariae, etiam honoris tantum causa, potest associationi ab una Sede Apostolica concedi.