Chapter III. On Censures Considered in Species

§ 1. Censures are:

1°. Excommunication;

2°. Interdict;

3°. Suspension.

§ 2. Excommunication can affect only physical persons, and therefore, if at any time it is brought against a moral body, it is understood to affect the individuals who have concurred in the delict; interdict and suspension, also a community as a moral person; excommunication and interdict, also laymen; suspension, clerics only; interdict, also a place; excommunication is always a censure; interdict and suspension can be either censures or vindicative penalties, but in doubt they are presumed censures (Can. 2255).

In the canons which follow:

1°. By the name of divine offices are understood the functions of the power of order, which by the institution of Christ or of the Church are ordained to divine worship and can be performed by clerics alone;

2°. But by the name of legitimate ecclesiastical acts are signified: to carry out the office of administrator of ecclesiastical goods; to act the parts of judge, auditor and relator, defender of the bond, promoter of justice and of the faith, notary and chancellor, courier and apparitor, advocate and procurator in ecclesiastical causes; to carry out the office of sponsor in the sacraments of baptism and confirmation; to cast a vote in ecclesiastical elections; to exercise the right of patronage (Can. 2256).

Divine offices are the public celebration of Mass, solemn celebration in choir of the canonical hours, solemn blessings; or all functions annexed to some order, ordained to worship by the institution of Christ or of the Church and accustomed to be performed by clerics alone.