Code of Canon Law: text (original) (raw)

CHAPTER I :PREACHING THE WORD OF GOD

Can.762 The people of God are first united through the word of the living God, and are fully entitled to seek this word from their priests. For this reason sacred ministers are to consider the office of preaching as of great importance, sinceproclaiming the Gospel of God to all is among their principal duties.

Can.763 Bishops have the right to preach the word of God everywhere, even inchurches and oratories of religious institutes of pontifical right, unless thelocal Bishop has expressly forbidden it in particular cases.

Can.764 Without prejudice to the provisions of can. 765, priests and deacons, with the at least presumed consent of the rector of a church, have the faculty topreach everywhere, unless this faculty has been restricted or removed by thecompetent Ordinary, or unless particular law requires express permission.

Can.765 To preach to religious in their churches or oratories, permission isrequired of the Superior who is competent according to their constitutions.

Can.766 The laity may be allowed to preach in a church or oratory if in certain circumstances it is necessary, or in particular cases it would be advantageous, according to the provisions of the Episcopal Conference and without prejudiceto can. 767 §1.

Can.767 §1 The most important form of preaching is the homily, which is part of theliturgy, and is reserved to a priest or deacon. In the course of the liturgical year, the mysteries of faith and the rules of christian living are to beexpounded in the homily from the sacred text.

§2 At allMasses on Sundays and holydays of obligation, celebrated with a congregation, there is to be a homily and, except for a grave reason, this may not beomitted.

§3 It isstrongly recommended that, if a sufficient number of people are present, there be a homily at weekday Masses also, especially during Advent and Lent, or on afeast day or an occasion of grief.

§4 It is the responsibility of the parish priest or the rector of a church to ensurethat these provisions are carefully observed.

Can.768 §1 Those who announce the word of God to Christ's faithful are first andforemost to set out those things which it is necessary to believe and topractise for the glory of God and the salvation of all.

§2 They are also to explain to the faithful the teaching of the magisterium of the Church concerning the dignity and freedom of the human person; the unity, stabilityand duties of the family; people's social obligations and the ordering oftemporal affairs according to the plan established by God.

Can.769 Christian teaching is to be explained in a manner that is suited to thecondition of the hearers and adapted to the circumstances of the times.

Can.770 At certain times, according to the regulations of the diocesan Bishop,parish priests are to arrange for sermons in the form of retreats and missions, as they are called, or in other forms adapted to requirements.

Can.771 §1 Pastors of souls, especially Bishops and parish priests, are to besolicitous that the word of God is preached to those also of the faithful who, because of the circumstances of their lives, cannot sufficiently availthemselves of the ordinary pastoral care or are even totally deprived of it.

§2 They are also to take care that the good news of the Gospel reaches those living in their territory who are non-believers, since these too, no less than thefaithful, must be included in the care of souls.

Can.772 §1 In the exercise of the office of preaching, everyone is moreover toobserve the norms laid down by the Bishop of the diocese.

§2 Inexpounding christian teaching on radio or television, the provisions of theEpiscopal Conference are to be observed.