PEW IN CHURCH. — It seems that in the early days of Christianity the faithful, at least in the West, listened to the sermon standing, a custom which later disappeared in the High Middle Ages when, during the sermon and sacred functions, the need began to be felt to remain seated (A. Linsennayer, *Geschichte der Predigt in Deutschland während des Mittelalters*, Freiburg in Br. 1912, pp. 33-130). The form of the chairs used is not known to us. For civil authorities and dignitaries there were artistically crafted chairs, such as that of Charlemagne in the cathedral of Aachen, that of Emperor Henry II in St Emmeram at Regensburg, etc. Towards the end of the Middle Ages, pews were known for guilds and various associations. It was only in the Baroque period that seating places or pews with kneelers, or *banchi*, were more frequently introduced.
In the discipline now in force, no one among the faithful may have a special place in church without the explicit consent of the Ordinary. This privilege is reserved, outside the presbytery and without a canopy, only to those who have the legitimate right of patronage (CIC, can. 1455, 3). The bishop may, at his own discretion, arrange the seats or *banchi* in church (S. Congr. Rites, decr. 174 ad 3). According to liturgical laws, a distinguished place outside the presbytery may be assigned to authorities according to their rank or even to private individuals; however, the Ordinary, for a just reason, may always revoke his consent or suspend or modify the right (CIC, can. 1263, 2, 3; S. Congr. Rites, decr. 816, 2007, 2141).
It is, however, an ancient custom that priests have wooden or stone pews in the presbytery, originally arranged in a semicircle to the right and left of the bishop’s throne. For canons, during the synod, these may be raised by one or two steps (S. Congr. Rites, decr. 2047 ad 4; 2082; 2420 ad 5). When canons in canonical dress and as a chapter enter a church of Regulars, the pews must be adorned with a cloth. Likewise, the celebrant with his ministers may sit on draped pews during the singing of the *Gloria*, the *Credo*, and the *Sequence*.
In matters concerning the right to a pew in church, Italian jurisprudence usually applies the principles of canon law, and thus recognises the discretionary and unassailable power of ecclesiastical authority to revoke or suspend concessions, even if these are based on a contractual agreement for valuable consideration (with the possible right to reimbursement in such a case); while it recognises the competence of civil courts to judge disputes between ecclesiastical authority and a private individual concerning the existence and title of the right to a pew, and those between private individuals regarding the title or possession of such a right.
Filippo Oppenheim – Pio Cipriotti