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

TITLE IV : THE CULT OF THE SAINTS, OF SACRED IMAGES AND OF RELICS (Cann. 1186 -1190)

Can.1186 To foster the sanctification of the people of God, the Church commends to the special and filial veneration of Christ's faithful the Blessed Mary ever-Virgin, the Mother of God, whom Christ constituted the Mother of all. TheChurch also promotes the true and authentic cult of the other Saints, by whoseexample the faithful are edified and by whose intercession they are supported.

Can.1187 Only those servants of God may be venerated by public cult who have beennumbered by ecclesiastical authority among the Saints or the Blessed.

Can.1188 The practice of exposing sacred images in churches for the veneration of the faithful is to be retained. However, these images are to be displayed inmoderate numbers and in suitable fashion, so that the christian people are notdisturbed, nor is occasion given for less than appropriate devotion.

Can.1189 The written permission of the Ordinary is required to restore precious images needing repair: that is, those distinguished by reason of age, art orcult, which are exposed in churches and oratories to the veneration of thefaithful. Before giving such permission, the Ordinary is to seek the advice ofexperts.

Can.1190 §1 It is absolutely wrong to sell sacred relics.

§2 Distinguished relics, and others which are held in great veneration by thepeople, may not validly be in any way alienated nor transferred on a permanent basis, without the permission of the Apostolic See.

§3 Theprovision of §2 applies to images which are greatly venerated in any church by the people.