Article III: On The Limitation Of Jurisdiction As Regards Persons

1757. To be noted beforehand. Jurisdiction, which is necessarily required for valid absolution, has this proper to itself, that it descends as it were by degrees from Superiors to inferiors. Consequently, the inferior power is rooted solely in the superior power, and depends upon this alone. From this it follows that it belongs to Superiors to limit or restrict the jurisdiction of inferiors, indeed to take it away entirely, according to this rule of law: "Every thing is dissolved by the same causes through which it is born." - And hence it has been done by very good right that limitations or restrictions of this sort have always been customary in the Church, whether as regards PLACE AND TIME, or as regards PERSONS AND SINS. The Roman Pontiff alone, in whom there is the fullness of power, enjoys jurisdiction in every way and unlimited.

Concerning the limitation of jurisdiction as regards place and time we have said enough in treating of ordinary and delegated jurisdiction. It remains that in the present and following article we speak of its limitation as regards persons, and as regards sins.

The limitation of jurisdiction as regards PERSONS, established by the law itself, especially touches Regulars and Nuns. Wherefore we shall treat separately of the concession of jurisdiction, both with respect to Regulars and with respect to Nuns.