DIMISSORIAL LETTERS
Dimissorial letters are the authorization which an Ordinary grants, normally in writing, to a bishop (even if unspecified, who is normally of the same rite as the ordinand and in any case in communion with the Holy See) so that he may lawfully proceed to the ordination of a subject of the grantor. They are always necessary in order that one may lawfully proceed to the ordination of one who is not a subject of the ordaining prelate (can. 955).
They may not lawfully be granted before the qualities of the ordinand have been ascertained and before he has the prescribed documents with the relative testimonies required by the Code of Canon Law (can. 993).
The religious superior, in exempt religious institutes, must in the so-called dimissorial letters attest that the ordinand has already made solemn profession, that he belongs to a religious house subject to him, that he has completed the necessary studies and in general possesses the requirements demanded by the Code of Canon Law (can. 995); such dimissorial letters must be addressed to the bishop of the diocese in which the religious house of the ordinand is located (can. 965), save for certain strictly defined exceptions (art. 966).
Besides the bishop, after he has taken possession of the diocese, the following may grant dimissorial letters: the vicar general, provided he has a special mandate from the bishop; the capitular vicar, always however with the consent of the Chapter (and the same applies if less than a year has elapsed since the vacancy of the episcopal see, a specific necessity to provide for a particular office or benefice must concur); the apostolic vicar and prefect, as well as the abbot or prelate *nullius*, even if they are not bishops (can. 958).
Once granted, they confer on the ordinand a right to ordination, which is not lost even if the grantor should, for any reason, cease from his office before the conferral of the Order, but which may cease through revocation (can. 963).