Rights & Duties of the Clergy

c. 232-293

Who are Clerics? Ranks of Orders

Diaconate Presbyterate Episcopacy

Incardination into a particular diocese or religious congregation Incardination and transfer (c. 265-272) Can never be acephalous (cf. the Council of

Trent) Change of state

“You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchisedek”

Formation (c. 232-264)

Priestly formation All but c. 236 Cf. Optatum totius NCCB Program for Priestly Formation

(1971, 1976, 1982) provides more detailed information than these canons

Diaconal formation (c. 236)

Obligations of Clerics

1. Obedience to legitimate directions of superior (c. 273-274)

2. Exemplary lifestyle1. Pursue holiness (c. 276)2. Continent celibacy (c. 277; cf. 1037,

1041 §3, 1394-1395)3. Simplicity of life (c. 282)

Obligations of Clerics

3. Continue education (c. 279)4. Residence (c. 283 §1)5. Wear clerical garb suitable to

local custom (c. 284)

Obligations of Clerics

6. Avoid unbecoming activities, esp.1. Holding public office (c. 285)2. Conducting secular business (c. 286)3. Work for political parties or labor

unions (c. 287 §2)

7. Foster peace and harmony based on justice (c. 287 §1)

Rights & Prerogatives

1. Obtain offices in church (c. 274 §1)

2. Decent remuneration and vacation time (c. 281, 283 §2)

3. Exemption from military service and public offices & duties (c. 289)

Loss of Clerical State (c. 290-293)

Due process is required(c. 1364 §2, 1367, 1370 §1, 1387, 1394 §1, 1395 §1-2)

1. Official declaration of nullity of ordination

2. Dismissal3. Rescript from the Holy See