APERITIO ORIS. - An expression in use in the Roman Curia, with a twofold meaning.
It denotes first of all the procedure required in order that a measure issued by the supreme authority of the Pontiff may be reconsidered. When the Pope has issued a measure, or has confirmed in specific form the measure of an inferior prelate, reconsideration by a subordinate authority is no longer possible, unless the facultas aperitionis oris, seu aperiendi mentem Summi Pontificis, is obtained from the Pope himself. The CIC envisages the case, though without containing the expression, in can. 1683. Frequent practical applications of this juridical institution are found in the Thesaurus resolutionum S. C. Concilii, 167 vols., Rome 1739-1908; and in S. Pallottini, Collectio omnium conclusionum et resolutionum S. C. Concilii, 17 vols., Rome 1867 ff.
It also denotes a phase of the ceremonial used by the Supreme Pontiff for the creation of cardinals. In one of the secret consistories following the appointment of new cardinals, the Pope performs the twofold ceremony of the closing and opening of the mouth, which consists in forbidding and subsequently granting the newly elected the right to speak in consistories and other assemblies of the Roman Curia (v. CONCISTORO). Agatangelo da Langasco
APHARSACHEI, (APHARSATACHEI, APHARSEI): V. APARSACHEI.