Chapter — Bucceroni, Institutions of Moral Theology
X. On Regulars and Nuns
From whom do regulars obtain jurisdiction and approbation? - Regulars receive approbation for hearing the Confessions of their own from the superiors of their monastery, province, or order; but jurisdiction is delegated to them by their superiors. And this is understood not only of the professed, but also of novices, and also of secular servants who are truly of the household and continual table-companions. Such are not those who only serve them, but those who remain day and night in the house of the religious, are nourished there, and live under their obedience, although not by reason of a vow. - As regards Confessions of seculars, all mendicant religious, and those who participate in their privileges, have jurisdiction immediately from the Pope. Cf. 778, 784. But they must receive approbation from the Bishop of the place where Confessions are to be received. This approbation is required not only for liceity, but also for the validity of absolution. And this is to be understood even of nuns, although they are of the same order and subject to them, for whom a still special approbation of the Bishop of the place is required. - This is established from the privileges granted to Regulars by the Supreme Pontiffs, Clem. Dudum, de Sepulturis, etc.; from Trent, sess. 23, C. 15; from C. Superna of Clement X; from the common opinion of the doctors. L. 549, 552; Ferraris, v. Approbatio, a. 1, n. 64 f.; E. M.
Note: "Religious approved by the Bishop to hear Confessions of seculars in his diocese cannot hear them in another diocese without the approbation of the diocesan Bishop, although the penitents are subjects of that Bishop by whom the same religious had already been approved." C. cited Superna.
Does a religious validly absolve seculars, with the superior unaware or unwilling, from the faculty of the Bishop of the place alone? - Resp. In the affirmative. The reason is that the Bishop can well confer jurisdiction over his own sheep on a religious, no otherwise than on a foreign secular priest. For whoever enjoys ordinary jurisdiction can delegate it to any priest. Moreover the religious, as is established from Pontifical Bulls, cf. Brief of Paul III, Cum inter, June 3, 1545, etc., receives jurisdiction directly from the Supreme Pontiff, but with subordination to the approbation of the Bishop, since the Supreme Pontiffs by their supreme power confer jurisdiction on the religious themselves, and, all privileges being abrogated, the approbation of the Bishop is required from the Council of Trent. And this is had in so many words in the Brief of Leo XII, Plura inter, July 11, 1826. Hence the ignorance or prohibition of the superior renders the act gravely or lightly illicit, but by no means invalid. A. S. S., vol. 1, pp. 680, 683. It is confirmed from the Declaration of the S. C. EE. et RR., March 2, 1866; E. M.
Can boarders of regulars in their colleges or seminaries be absolved by the same regulars, without the approbation of the Bishop, as being of the household? - The first opinion denies it, because boarders of this kind are not of the household as servants are. For these are as it were incorporated into the house and family through service; hence they are called domestics and familiars.
Boarders are persons foreign to the family, who pay money so that they may receive food, doctrine, and education from teachers. - The second opinion affirms it. The reason is: 1. because nothing is lacking in them by which they are truly of the household and continual table-companions. 2. Because if servants are truly of the household and continual table-companions because they depend on the regulars by material service, how much more must boarders be held to be of the household, who live under the perfect dependence and obedience of the regulars. 3. Because to several orders and congregations the privilege of familiarity belongs for their boarders; and because of the communication of privileges, it also belongs to others. In their colleges or seminaries, that is, in houses of regulars in which, from Clement X, Constitution Superna, § 4, life is lived according to regular institutes; not in others' colleges or seminaries committed to their care, which are not houses of regulars, but houses of seculars in which regulars also live. 4. From practice and custom the same doctrine is confirmed. Thus Pichler, Pellizarius, Schmalzgrueber, and very many others. - Lugo, Resp. Mor., l. 4, d. 33; Bouix, p. 204 ff., p. 626; A. S. S., vol. 3, p. 47 ff.; Lucidi, ed. 3, p. 370 ff.; Bizzarri, Collect., ed. 1885, p. 563 ff.; E. M.
Can approbation be denied to regulars by the Bishop? - The Bishop can: 1. omit or require a previous examination for approbation, even if someone had been approved by his predecessor or even by his Vicar General. 2. Recall to examination after approbation, even one granted simply, but without previous examination. 3. Give approbation with limitation of time, persons, places, cases, or even deny it, if they are not judged universally suitable. 4. Subject those who have been approved with limitation to a new examination, and restrict that limited faculty, or altogether take it away, even without a new cause concerning Confessions. - This is proved from C. Superna and various Declarations of the Sacred Congregation. Bouix, p. 221 f.; L. 552, 792.
The Bishop cannot: 1. deny approbation generally to regulars without cause, which prohibition does not affect Bishops of the Indies. Innocent X, Constitution Cum sicut accepimus, Nov. 28, 1732. 2. Revoke approbation from all regulars of the same community, or at least restrict regular confessors to two for each church. 3. Deny examination to a regular seeking absolute approbation for Confessions, and grant either no approbation or only limited approbation, unless nevertheless it is certainly established for the Ordinary that the regular is not generally suitable. 4. Approve with limitation those who after previous examination were generally found suitable for hearing Confessions. 5. Revoke granted licenses, or limit them, or examine again if someone, after previous examination and without limitation, was approved by the Bishop himself because he was found universally suitable, unless from scandal, or some delict, or another new supervening cause which concerns Confessions. 6. In approving regulars, even with limitation, prohibit them from receiving Confessions during Easter time, or from receiving the Confession of the sick and dying. Nevertheless the pastor must be informed about this either by living voice or by writing kept with the sick person, so that he can safely administer the last sacraments. Here it must be noted that for hearing Confessions of the sick, the license of the pastor is in no way required. This is likewise proved from C. Superna and various Declarations of the Sacred Congregation. - Benedict XIV, Constitution Apostolicum, May 30, 1753, § 9; Constitution Apostolica Indulta, Aug. 5, 1744, § 3; de Syn., l. 9, c. 16, n. 7; Lugo, d. 21, n. 54; Resp. Mor., l. 1, d. 18; L. 550, 552, 792; Pignatelli, Cons. can., t. 4, c. 163; Bouix, p. 252; de Episc., vol. 2, p. 249 ff.; Bizzarri, p. 326 ff., ed. 1885; E. M.
When the see is vacant, can the capitular vicar examine regulars approved by the deceased Bishop after previous examination, and if he finds them less suitable, take away their faculty for Confessions? - If the regulars had obtained unlimited license, it is certain that he can do neither. The same must probably be said if they had obtained license for a determined time, namely as long as that time has not expired. The same, from the common opinion, must be said if they had obtained license at good pleasure. This threefold assertion is established from C. Exigentibus of Clement IV, S. C. of Pius V Romani Pontificis, C. Superna of Clement X, Decision of the S. C. EE. et RR., June 19, 1806. After previous examination; for if, with no previous examination, they had been approved, and they are found unskilled and scandals are generated, then the capitular vicar can call them to examination, and approve those whom he finds suitable and reject those unworthy. S. C. C., Feb. 5, 1688. - L. 552; Bouix, p. 246 ff.; E. M.
Does a regular once approved in some diocese need new approbation if, after changing his habitation, he returns there? - Resp. In the negative. The reason is that one approved indefinitely and without limitation remains approved at least until implicit revocation of the approbation; moreover in the present case no revocation intervenes, not even implicit. La-Croix 1541; Lugo, d. 21, nn. 44, 91.
Does a regular approved in some diocese need new approbation for validly absolving if, after changing place, he passes through the same diocese? - Resp. In the negative, because approbation granted indefinitely and without limitation endures until revocation. La-Croix 1541.
Can regulars freely choose a confessor for themselves? - Regulars living in a convent must confess, from regular discipline and from Apostolic privileges obtained, to priests of the order designated by the superior; nor can they be licitly and validly absolved by any others, whether within or outside the house, without the permission of the superior. "It is not lawful for superiors of regulars to hear the Confession of subjects, unless they have committed some reserved sin, or the subjects themselves spontaneously and of their own motion ask this from them." - "Both superiors existing for the time, and confessors who have been promoted to the grade of superior, are to beware most diligently lest they use for external governance that knowledge which they had of others' sins in confession." Decree of Clement VIII, May 26, 1593. - "Let superiors in individual houses depute two, three, or more confessors according to the greater or lesser number of subjects, and let them be learned, prudent, and endowed with charity, who absolve them from non-reserved cases; and to whom also absolution of reserved cases is to be committed when a case occurs in which the confessor himself judges first that it ought to be committed." Cited decree of Clement VIII. "But to the Master alone let the care of hearing the confessions of Novices be committed. Nevertheless it is lawful for the Superior, even the local one, if he judges it expedient, either by himself or through another to be deputed by him, once or twice in the year to hear the confessions of the same Novices." Clement VIII, March 19, 1603. - On a journey, if they have a suitable companion of the same Order, they must confess to him. But if a suitable companion is lacking, they can confess to any priest, whether regular or secular, whether approved or not, unless particular Constitutions of the order stand in the way. But this faculty does not have place with respect to reserved cases. A companion is suitable if he is neither excommunicated, suspended, irregular, nor lacks sufficient knowledge. Innocent IV, Cum supernae, April 26, 1247.
But under the name of regulars here are not comprehended religious of more recent Congregations, nor older Congregations which have only simple vows and are not Religions strictly so called, unless they have a special privilege in this matter. - L. 574, 575; App. de priv. 111; La-Croix, l. 6, p. 2, n. 1524; Lugo, d. 20, nn. 66, 67; E. M.
By decree of the Holy Office, July 5, 1899, it was prohibited "that any superior of any religious community or seminary or college, whether major or minor, in the gracious City, except in some rare case of necessity, about which his conscience is burdened, dare in any way to hear the sacramental Confessions of his own pupils remaining in the same house." - By decree of the Holy Office, July 5, 1899, it was declared through the preceding decree that "nothing had been derogated from Apostolic Constitutions as regards Religious Orders." - By decree of the Holy Office, Dec. 20, 1899, it was declared that the preceding declaration was not valid for Religious Congregations of simple vows which have perpetual vows and common life and which have been approved by the Church.
From the Norms of the S. C. EE. et RR. for Italy it is prescribed under a formal and grave precept that no seminary lack a spiritual Director. But Superiors and Professors cannot at the same time exercise the office of spiritual Director, nor that of ordinary confessor. Besides the spiritual director, other pious and learned priests are also to be designated to hear the confessions of the pupils and to suggest suitable counsel to them. S. C. EE. et RR., Jan. 18, 1908.
From regular discipline, etc.; for the following decree on sacramental absolution to be imparted to religious members must be attended to. "In an audience had by the undersigned Cardinal Pro-Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Religious, on Aug. 5, 1913, our most holy Lord Pope Pius X, because of peculiar reasons of conscience, deigned to extend to all Confessors of the whole world approved by the Ordinaries of places the faculty which in the month of February of this year he had granted to all Confessors approved by the Ordinary of the City as regards absolution to be imparted to Religious. Therefore these Confessors, by the authority of our Most Holy Lord Pope Pius X, can receive the sacramental confessions of all members of any Order, Congregation, or Institute whatever without being bound to inquire about or seek permission obtained from the Superior, and can validly and licitly impart absolution from sins reserved in the Order or Institute even under censure. "Therefore His Holiness has commanded all superiors and presidents of every Order, Congregation, or Institute to observe faithfully the prescriptions of this decree in virtue of holy obedience, Constitutions, Apostolic ordinances, privileges granted in any more efficacious form, and any other contrary things whatever, even those worthy of special and individual mention, by no means standing in the way." S. C. de Relig., Aug. 5, 1912.
The aforesaid Decree of Aug. 5, 1913, also comprehends Confessions which Religious of the Latin rite make to Confessors of the Oriental rite and conversely; and also novices of any Order or Congregation. S. C. de Relig., May 3, 1914, A. A. S., vol. 6, p. 232.
The faculty previously granted at Rome was of the following tenor: "Vicariate of Rome - Office II. - By disposition of the Holy Father communicated to this Vicariate by letter of the Sacred Congregation of Religious dated Feb. 8, 1913, all priests approved for confessions in Rome, from now on, have the faculty of hearing the confession and absolving Religious belonging to any Order who have recourse to them, without need of any permission on the part of the respective Regular Superiors."
Do confessors of nuns need special approbation, and can nuns freely choose a confessor for themselves? - It does not pertain to nuns to choose a confessor for themselves, unless they have this right from foundation or custom, in which case the confessor chosen by them must be approved by the Ordinary. - If the nuns are not exempt, or if they are exempt and immediately subject to the Apostolic See, the deputation of the confessor belongs to the Bishop. If the nuns are exempt and subject to regular prelates, the deputation of the confessor, nevertheless of the same order, pertains to the regular prelate. But it is necessary that the Bishop approve him, and indeed specially for the Confessions of nuns; indeed also for such a convent, so that it does not suffice that he has already been approved by the Bishop for another convent. And he must be approved as often as he is deputed to that duty. - Lugo, Resp. Mor., l. 5, d. 24, n. 5.
The S. C. EE. et RR., May 2, 1617; June 7, 1620; Sept. 2, 1642, etc., established that confessors of nuns must be above forty years of age, and that ordinary confessors must be changed every three years. By the decree Cum sacramentalibus the same was established. Yet this is not observed everywhere; and, if it is not done, it does not import invalidity of absolution. S. C. EE. et RR., July 20, 1875; Collectan. S. C. de P. F., n. 436. Moreover the confessor is bound to come to hear the Confessions of nuns as often as he has been called. Besides, let him beware lest he conduct himself as superior of the monastery, since no such authority belongs to him in any way; and lest, after he has already fulfilled the office for three years, he mingle conversations with the nuns or send letters to them, even about those things which regard direction of conscience. This was prescribed at Rome both as regards ordinary confessors and as regards extraordinary ones, once their office had ended. Ferraris, v. Confessarius, a. 4, n. 37.
The deputation of extraordinary confessors pertains to him to whom the deputation of the ordinary pertains, and one or several must be offered at least twice or three times in the year. Trent, sess. 25, C. 10, de Reg. - Even from the sole reason of spiritual consolation and progress, a peculiar confessor whom she requests must be granted extraordinarily to a nun, provided that on the part of the nun and on the part of the confessor whom she asks for herself nothing appears from which the said spiritual progress is not to be hoped for. - If the regular prelate neglects to give an extraordinary confessor, the Bishop supplies his negligence. If the Bishop himself neglects to give an extraordinary confessor, nothing else is granted to the nuns than to have recourse to the S. C. de Relig. or to the Major Penitentiary. - But it is prescribed that the extraordinary confessor at least once in the year be either secular or of another order, and at that time the ordinary confessor is to hear the Confessions of no one, neither of the abbess nor of the novices. - All nuns are bound to present themselves to the extraordinary confessor, so that provision be made for the liberty of all; nevertheless they are not bound to confess to him. And therefore, during the whole time for which the office of extraordinary confessor lasts, the ordinary confessor must abstain from exercising his ministry and must not come to the monastery. S. C. EE. et RR., Jan. 1749; Bizzarri, p. 31. - But regular confessors of this kind, after they have fulfilled their office, are forbidden to come to the same monastery or to continue intercourse within it in any way whatever. Bizzarri, p. 294, ed. 1885. - S. C. EE. et RR., Dec. 7, 1906. The ordinary confessor cannot be constituted as extraordinary confessor unless a year has elapsed after the completed triennium. The extraordinary confessor is not held by this law of the triennium. And this extraordinary confessor, even permanently, is not to be denied to a nun who would obstinately refuse to confess to the ordinary. Benedict XIV, Constitution Pastoralis curae.
By decree of the S. C. EE. et RR., Dec. 17, 1790, art. VI, "His Holiness admonishes Prelates and superiors not to deny an extraordinary confessor to subjects as often as subjects are driven to this in order to provide for their own conscience, and the same superiors are in no way to inquire into the reason for the petition or show that they bear it unwillingly. And lest so provident a disposition become vain, the Ordinary is exhorted that in places of his own diocese in which communities of women exist, he designate suitable priests furnished with faculties, to whom they can easily have recourse for the sacrament of penance." But this, as is evident, does not progress so far that they may constantly have recourse to an extraordinary confessor without ever approaching the ordinary confessor. Hence it was declared: "The dispositions of art. IV of the decree Quemadmodum constitute only an exception to the common law for cases only of true and absolute necessity, as often as they are driven to this, that which is prescribed by the Sacred Council of Trent and by the Constitution Pastoralis curae of Benedict XIV remaining firm." S. C. EE. et RR., Feb. 1, 1892. Cf. the Norms of the same Sacred Congregation, nn. 144-146.
At the point of death, a particular confessor must be granted by the Bishop to any nun asking for one; and if the monastery is exempt, if the regular prelate does not grant him, he must be assigned by the Bishop, Benedict XIV, Constitution Pastoralis curae, or, if even the Bishop refuses, by the Major Penitentiary, if time is available. But if time is not available, provision has been made by the Council of Trent, sess. 14, C. 7.
Under the name of nuns here are properly understood only women living under rule in cloister; but not those who are not bound to observe strict enclosure. - But the cited decree Quemadmodum of the S. C. EE. et RR., Dec. 17, 1890, regards also the more recent sisters of only simple vows and without papal enclosure, to whom afterward those things which had been established for nuns were extended. And now especially from the decree Cum de Sacramentalibus, the same law exists for nuns and sisters. - Gregory XV, Constitution Inscrutabili, Feb. 5, 1622; Clement X, Superna; Benedict XIV, Constitution Pastoralis curae; Ithur., Cas. 16; Bouix, de Episc., vol. 2, p. 253; de Iure Reg., vol., p. 332; L. 576, 577; E. M.
Can cloistered nuns be absolved by any confessor when by chance they are outside the monastery? - Resp. In the affirmative. The reason is that the Constitutions Inscrutabili of Gregory XV and of other Supreme Pontiffs, which prohibit nuns from confessing to a priest other than one specially approved by the Bishop for nuns, are not to be understood except of nuns dwelling in the monastery; for they suppose that nuns are always within the cloister. Therefore any confessors whatever, although not approved for nuns, can absolve nuns accidentally coming to them. Besides, it would for the most part be an excessive inconvenience if traveling nuns had to confess only to confessors specially approved; confess; for often they would have to lack the sacraments of penance and of the Eucharist. S. C. EE. et RR., Aug. 27, 1852. - La-Croix 1527; E. M.
What is to be said about the confessors of Sisters of more recent Institutes? - As regards the special approbation of the Bishop in the confessor, this is not required by the general law. For the law speaks of nuns, strictly so called. But it is required by the Norms of the S. C. EE. et RR., by particular Constitutions approved by the Holy See, and by the particular disposition of Bishops, who are accustomed to grant approbation only with nuns excepted, thus also comprehending the more recent Sisters.
And for these Sisters an ordinary confessor is to be appointed, as for Nuns, according to the same Norms. Leo XIII, Constitution Conditae a Christo, § XI of the first series and § VIII of the second series. - As regards an extraordinary confessor, to be appointed by the Bishop several times in the year, the Bishop again is not strictly bound to this by the general law, for the same reason. But he is bound to it, and under grave obligation, from the natural law of charity and justice, by which he must provide for the spiritual good of his subjects; from the aforesaid Norms; and from the Constitutions themselves approved by the Holy See, since the Sacred Congregation is accustomed to prescribe that, as regards confessors, the Constitution Pastoralis curae of Benedict XIV be observed. Moreover an admonition is found in the cited decree Quemadmodum, already related above, n. 791. Further, those things which were established concerning nuns as regards an extraordinary confessor, Benedict XIV wishes to be observed also in these communities which do not have canonical enclosure; indeed even in any companies or conservatories of women and girls living together which have one ordinary confessor designated by the local Ordinary. The S. C. EE. et RR. judged that he should be renewed every three years. But it is lawful for such a woman to confess even outside the conservatory or monastery. The same Sacred Congregation, Jan. 29, 1847, Bizzarri, p. 116, ed. 1885. - This concerns the extraordinary confessor; for "the law about an ordinary Confessor for individual monasteries does not regard colleges of girls." S. C. EE. et RR., Dec. 7, 1906.
But where Sisters or women of this kind are accustomed to confess in churches, they can confess to anyone otherwise approved, which has been introduced by custom, and is clear from S. C. de P. F., Feb. 20, 1877, Collectanea, n. 437, although they have an ordinary confessor designated by the Bishop. And certainly they can be absolved by the pastor, if they do not enjoy a special exemption from him. For if they must receive Viaticum and extreme unction from the pastor, and be buried by the same, how could they not be absolved by the same, at least when the Sisters are outside the house?
Finally, article 149 of the Norms establishes: "As often as Sisters make their Confession in some public church, they will be able to confess to any priest approved by the Bishop." So also S. Penit., Feb. 9, 1901. Ferraris, v. Moniales, a. 5, n. 19; E. M.
It was prohibited by the S. C. EE. et RR. that Regulars be the ordinary Confessors of Sisters of simple vows, just as this was forbidden to them for Nuns subject to the Bishop. S. C. EE. et RR., Sept. 1, 1905. But this prohibition at present no longer has force of itself, from the following very recent Decree Cum de Sacramentalibus of the S. C. de Religiosis, in which almost the whole present law on this matter is contained, and by which almost all the things preceding are confirmed.
Decree on the Confessions of Nuns and Sisters. - S. C. de Relig., Decree, Feb. 3, 1913. "Since several laws have up to this day been ordered, according to matter and time, for regulating the sacramental confessions of Nuns and Sisters, it has seemed good to gather them, changed in some part and suitably arranged, into one Decree, as follows:
To each religious community, both of Nuns and of Sisters, regularly, only one ordinary Confessor is to be given, unless because of their great number, or some other just cause, it is necessary that a second or several be given.
The ordinary Confessor, regularly, is not to remain in this office beyond three years. Yet the Bishop or Ordinary will be able to confirm him for a second, and indeed even for a third, triennium: a) if, because of a scarcity of priests suitable for this office, he cannot provide otherwise; or b) if the greater part of the Religious, including also those who in other affairs do not have the right of casting a vote, agree by secret votes to the confirmation of the same Confessor; nevertheless provision must be made otherwise for those dissenting, if they wish.
Several times in the year, to each religious community there is to be given an extraordinary Confessor, to whom all the Religious must approach, at least to receive a blessing.
For each religious house some priests are to be deputed by the Ordinary, whom the Religious, in particular cases, may easily call for the purpose of making confession.
If any Religious woman, for the peace of her soul and greater progress in the way of God, should ask for some special Confessor or spiritual director, he is to be readily granted by the Ordinary; who, however, will watch lest abuses creep in from this concession; but if they do creep in, he is to remove them cautiously and prudently, with the liberty of conscience nevertheless preserved.
If the house of Religious is subject to the local Ordinary, he chooses the priests for confessions, both ordinary and extraordinary; but if it is subject to a Regular Superior, he presents the Confessors to the local Ordinary, to whom it belongs to grant them the power of hearing confessions.
To the office of Confessor, whether ordinary, extraordinary, or special, priests can be deputed both from the secular Clergy and, with the permission of Superiors, from the regular Clergy, provided however that they have no power in the external forum over the same Religious.
These Confessors, who must have completed forty years, should be eminent in integrity of morals and prudence; but the Ordinary, for a just cause and with his conscience burdened, will be able to choose for this office priests who are not yet of that age, provided they excel in the aforesaid qualities of soul.
The ordinary Confessor cannot be named extraordinary, and, apart from the cases enumerated in article 2, cannot be chosen again as ordinary in the same community unless after a year from the completed office. The extraordinary Confessor can immediately be chosen as ordinary.
All Confessors, whether of Nuns or of Sisters, are to beware lest they involve themselves in the internal or external government of the community.
If any Religious woman asks for an extraordinary Confessor, it is lawful for no Superior, either by herself or through others, either directly or indirectly, to inquire into the reason for the petition, to oppose the petition by words or deeds, or in any way to show that she bears it with displeasure; but if she has conducted herself thus, she is to be admonished by her own Ordinary; if she has again sinned in the same matter, she is to be deposed by the same, after the Sacred Congregation of Religious has first been heard.
All Religious women are in no way to speak among themselves about the confessions of their companions, nor are they to dare to criticize those sisters who make confession to someone other than the one deputed; otherwise they are to be punished by the Superior or by the Ordinary.
Special Confessors called to a monastery or religious house, if they understand that the Religious approach them for no just cause either of necessity or of spiritual utility, are prudently to dismiss them. Moreover all Religious women are admonished to use the faculty granted to them of asking for a special Confessor in such a way that, human motives set aside, they intend only spiritual good and greater progress in religious virtues.
If at any time Nuns or Sisters happen to be outside their own house for any cause whatever, it is lawful for them in any church or oratory, even semi-public, to make confession to any Confessor approved for both sexes. The Superior can neither prohibit this, nor inquire about it, not even indirectly; and the Religious are bound to report nothing about it to their Superior.
All Nuns or Religious, when they are gravely ill, even if danger of death is absent, can summon any Priest approved for hearing confessions, and, while the grave illness lasts, confess to him as often as they wish.
This Decree must be observed by all religious families of women, of vows both solemn and simple, by Oblates and other pious communities which are bound by no vows, even if the Institutes are only diocesan. It also obliges communities which are under the jurisdiction of a regular Prelate; and unless he sees to the faithful observance of this Decree, the Bishop or Ordinary of that place is to do so himself as Delegate of the Apostolic See.
This Decree is to be added to the Rules and Constitutions of each religious family, and read publicly in the vernacular language in the Chapter of all the Religious, once a year.
Our Most Holy Lord Pope Pius X, on Jan. 31, 1913, deigned to approve and confirm this Decree in all things, and to command that it be published, and in the future be most carefully observed by all whom it concerns. All contrary things whatever notwithstanding, even those worthy of special and individual mention."