Chapter II: Of Sacred Sermons

To clerics from the secular clergy and also to non-exempt religious, the local Ordinary alone grants the faculty of preaching for his territory.

§ 1. If the sermon is to be held only for exempt religious or others of whom in can. 514, Sec. 1, the Superior of those religious gives the faculty of preaching in a clerical religion according to the constitutions; in this case he can grant it also to those who are from the secular clergy or from another religion, provided that they have been judged suitable by their own Ordinary or Superior.

§ 2. If the sermon is to be held for others, or even for nuns subject to regulars, the local Ordinary of the place in which the sermon will be given imparts the faculty also to exempt religious; moreover, the preacher, about to speak to exempt nuns, additionally needs the permission of the regular Superior.

§ 3. But the local Ordinary gives the faculty of preaching among members of a lay religion, although exempt; but the preacher cannot use the faculty without the assent of the religious Superior.

§ 1. Let local Ordinaries not deny, without grave cause, the faculty of preaching to religious who are presented by their own Superior, nor revoke the one granted, especially all at once for all the priests of a religious house, with the prescription of can. 1340 nevertheless remaining firm.

§ 2. For religious preachers, in order that it be lawful to use the faculty received, there is need moreover of the permission of their Superior.

§ 1. Their conscience being gravely burdened, the local Ordinary or religious Superior is not to grant to anyone the faculty or permission of preaching unless it is first established concerning his good morals and sufficient doctrine by examination according to the norm of can. 877, Sec. 1.

§ 2. If, after the faculty or permission has been granted, they discover that the necessary qualities are lacking in the preacher, they must revoke it; in doubt concerning doctrine, they must shake off the doubt by certain arguments, even by a new examination if there is need.

§ 3. Because of a revoked faculty or permission of preaching, recourse is given, but not in suspensive effect.

§ 1. Extern priests, whether secular or religious, are not to be invited to preach unless permission has first been obtained from the local Ordinary in whose place the sermon is to be held; moreover this Ordinary, unless he has their suitability known from elsewhere, is not to grant permission unless he has first had from the proper Ordinary of the same a good testimonial concerning the preacher's doctrine, piety, and morals; and that Ordinary, his conscience being gravely burdened, is held to answer according to the truth.

§ 2. The pastor must seek permission in due time if there is question of a parochial church or another church subject to the same; the rector of the church, if of a church not subject to the authority of the pastor; the first dignity, with the consent of the Chapter, if of a capitular church; the moderator or chaplain of a confraternity, if of the church proper to that confraternity.

§ 3. If a parochial church is at the same time capitular or proper to a confraternity, let him seek permission who by law performs the sacred functions.

§ 1. Let the faculty of preaching be made to priests or deacons alone, but not to other clerics, unless from a reasonable cause, in the judgment of the Ordinary and in individual cases.

§ 2. All lay persons, even religious, are forbidden to preach in church.

§ 1. Local Ordinaries have the right of preaching in any church of their territory, although exempt.

§ 2. Unless there is question of great cities, a Bishop can also prohibit words from being made to the faithful in other churches of the same place at the time at which either he himself has a sermon or he takes care that one is to be held before himself, from a public and extraordinary cause, with the faithful convoked.

§ 1. On Sundays and the other feasts of precept through the year, it is the proper office of each pastor to announce the word of God to the people, with the customary homily, especially within the Mass in which the attendance of the people is usually greater.

§ 2. The pastor cannot habitually satisfy this obligation through another, unless because of a just cause approved by the Ordinary.

§ 3. The Ordinary can permit that on certain more solemn feasts or even, from a just cause, on some Sundays, the sermon be omitted.

It is to be desired that in Masses which, with the faithful standing by, are celebrated on feast days of precept in all churches or public oratories, a brief explanation of the Gospel or of some part of Christian doctrine be made; but if the local Ordinary has ordered this, with opportune instructions given, not only priests from the secular clergy, but also religious, even exempt ones, are held by this law in their own churches.

§ 1. Let local Ordinaries take care that during the time of Lent, and likewise, if it will have seemed expedient, during the time of Advent, sacred sermons be held more frequently for the faithful in cathedral and parochial churches.

§ 2. Canons and others of the Chapter are held to be present at this sermon, if it is held in their own church immediately after choir, unless they are detained by a just impediment; and the Ordinary can compel them to this, even with penalties applied.

§ 1. In sacred sermons there are first to be set forth those things which the faithful must believe and do for salvation.

§ 2. Preachers of the divine word are to abstain from profane or abstruse arguments exceeding the common capacity of the hearers; and let them exercise the evangelical ministry not in persuasive words of human wisdom, not in the profane display and allurement of vain and ambitious eloquence, but in showing of spirit and power, preaching not themselves, but Christ crucified.

§ 3. If, may it be absent, a preacher disseminates errors or scandals, the prescription of can. 2317 is to be observed; if heresies, action is moreover to be taken against him according to the norm of law.

The faithful are diligently to be admonished and exhorted that they frequently be present at sacred sermons.