INCERTI. - The designation customarily given to those payments intended to provide decent support for those who hold public ecclesiastical offices, for example parish priests.
They consist of fees for sacred functions, even when performed by others, and of honoraria for archival acts (iura stolae).
The amount of both is fixed by legitimate custom or by the schedule prepared by the bishops in a provincial council or episcopal conference and approved by the Holy See (cann. 463 § 1, 1507 § 1).
The parish priest is strictly bound to render his ministry gratuitously for those unable to pay what is due (can. 463 § 2); indeed, he may not refuse to administer the Sacraments, nor deny a funeral, even if he is refused the lawful emolument, provided that it does not exceed the economic means of those requesting it (can. 463 § 4). In this circumstance, the duty to exercise his ministry does not cease in the face of the violation of a right to payment.
Finally, it is not lawful to demand honoraria higher than those established beforehand. If he has done so, the parish priest is bound to restore the excess to the person entitled to it; and should he omit restitution, a fine may be imposed upon him, while in the case of recidivism he may be suspended from his office and, if seriously culpable, may even be removed from his ministry (can. 463 § 2408).
Concerning the ethical-juridical basis of these revenues and the manner in which they are to be demanded V. STOLA.