Canon

CANON. - 1. For the origin of the term and the vicissitudes of the institutions in the first millennium, v. CANONS REGULAR OF ST. AUGUSTINE.

In 1059 Nicholas II sought to reduce the canons to the common life and to re-establish the community of goods of the Church, but it was an arduous undertaking that did not succeed to everyone's taste, whence the distinction between regular canons and secular canons. In the 13th century the canons of the cathedral church form a separate category within the clergy of the episcopal city.

2. Considered here are the secular canons. The canons and the dignities constitute the essential element of a Chapter. The CIC recalls above all two kinds of canons: the canons simpliciter or titular canons and the canons ad honorem or honorary canons (can. 406, § 3).

3. Titular canons are members of the Chapter and enjoy a true benefice that confers on them the right to suitable resources, so much so that a special concession of the Holy See is required to institute canonries without attached emoluments (can. 393, § 3).

The number of canons must be sufficient for divine worship and the dignity of the church to be provided for in a decorous manner (can. 394, § 3). The number remains fixed once and for all in the so-called numbered Chapters, that is, with a determined number: in such Chapters there are as many prebendaries as there are prebends (can. 394, § 1), whereas in unnumbered Chapters the number is not determined and it is up to the bishop, after the opinion of the Chapter, to define for how many members the benefice revenues allow an honest sustenance (can. 394, § 1).

4. In the 18th century the custom was introduced in France of naming as honorary canons those ecclesiastics to whom the bishops wished to testify particular consideration. There is no obligation for them to assist at choir or to observe residence; but likewise they cannot claim any canonical prebend, nor vindicate the right of suffrage (active and passive) in the capitular assemblies. In effect they are not members of the Chapter. The right to name honorary canons, whether diocesan or extradiocesan, belongs solely to the bishop: he must ask the opinion of the Chapter and not use this right except rarely and with circumspection (can. 406, § 1).

For the nomination as honorary canon of an extradiocesan priest, the bishop must not only consult his Chapter, but also obtain, under penalty of nullity of the nomination, the consent of the Ordinary of the priest himself and indicate to this Ordinary what insignia and privileges the new canon may use (can. 406, § 2). The number of honorary canons residing outside the diocese cannot exceed two thirds of that of the titular canons (can. 406, § 3).

The honorary canons of a basilica or collegiate church of Rome cannot use their privileges and insignia except within the interior of the said church and its filial churches. The honorary canons of all the other churches outside Rome may use their insignia within the ambit of their diocese and exceptionally outside it, like the titular canons. Besides the honorary rights, the honorary canons have a right to a stall in choir (can. 407, §§ 1, 2).

5. By the name of supernumerary canons are designated those canons who are beyond the pre-established number, and consequently without a prebend, in the so-called closed or numbered Chapters. Supernumerary canons are true canons, with the right to a stall in choir, to a voice in Chapter and to the daily distributions, and with the obligation to assist at divine service.

Those who enjoy a prebend in a capitular church may obtain from the Holy See, and from it alone, an indult of merit, called the indult of jubilation, after a praiseworthy service of forty years of choir, in the same church or in distinct churches of the same city or at least of the same diocese (can. 422, § 1). Jubilated canons, even if they do not reside in the place of their benefice, receive the revenues of their prebend and also the daily distributions, although being dispensed from the service of the altar (can. 422, § 2); but they do not enjoy the right of option where it exists (can. 422, § 3).

Let us note in passing the coadjutor canons whom the Pope assigns to those canons whom age or state of health renders incapable of fulfilling their office. In principle they have the powers of spiritual and temporal order of the canons whose coadjutors they are, but they have no right whatsoever to the prebend, nor obligation of residence or of assistance at divine service.

6. It is up to the bishop to confer all canonries, after the opinion of the Chapter, unless their collation is reserved to the Holy See or the charter of foundation assigns such right to others. The bishop shall not confer this title except on priests distinguished for doctrine and integrity of life (can. 404, § 1); he shall take into account, where conditions are otherwise equal, the degree of doctor in theology or in canon law or the merits acquired in the ministry or in teaching.

Canons must take possession of their benefice in conformity with cann. 1443-45 and premise the profession of faith on the basis of cann. 1406-1408. After this taking of possession, they may use the insignia and their privileges, occupy a stall in choir and receive the fruits of their benefice (can. 405, §§ 1, 2).

7. Among the principal duties of the canon are the service of choir and residence. All those who have a choral benefice are bound to the daily recitation of the Divine Office in choir. Service in turn (servitium per turnum) is nevertheless legitimate if authorized by the law of foundation of the Chapter or by the Holy See (can. 414). The canonical office comprises: the psalmody of the canonical hours, the conventual Mass and the other Masses to be celebrated in conformity with the rubrics of the missal or for multiple foundations (can. 413, §§ 2, 3).

The members of the Chapter are bound to residence in the place of the benefice and may enjoy only a limited time of vacation, which for canons obliged to choir must not exceed each year three months, continuous or divided (can. 418, § 1). A legitimate cause and a special license of the bishop are necessary for canons to be able to absent themselves during Lent and Advent or on the more solemn feasts of the year (can. 418, § 3). During vacations, they receive only the revenues of their prebend.

8. Canons have the right to wear a particular vestment and special insignia which may be the rochet, the mozzetta, the capua magna, the ring and sometimes the pectoral cross. The canonical vestment must be worn in choir; and it is permitted to use it throughout the diocese; outside the diocese it may be used only by those who accompany the bishop or represent the Chapter at councils or on some other solemnity (can. 409, §§ 1, 2).

Romualdo Souarn