EPISCOPAL MENSA. — This is the complex of ecclesiastical goods intended for the support of the bishop (archbishops, primates, prelates nullius) and his household. The history of the formation of the so-called m. V. is connected with ecclesiastical benefice (v.). What is set forth here concerns only current canon law.
The bishop has the right to receive the revenues of the m. V. from the day on which he takes possession of the diocese (can. 349 § 2, 1°), a right inherent in his office. The capitular vicar, too, during the period of a vacant see, has the right to suitable remuneration, which must be drawn from the m. V. (can. 441, 1°). In the subdivision of benefices, it is forbidden to unite a parochial benefice to the m. V. (can. 1423 § 2), in order to avoid unnecessary conflicts with the Ordinary. The m. V. tax, which is assigned for the benefit of seminaries (can. 1356 § 1). With regard to the administration of these goods, can. 1483 provides: 1) that the goods of the m. V. be diligently administered by the bishop (a prescription recalling the obligation of can. 1476); 2) that, by its nature, this administration entails the duty of keeping the episcopal residence in good condition, except where this responsibility belongs to other persons or entities, such, for example, as the municipal administration; 3) that, in order to prevent the commingling of goods, the bishop must draw up a careful inventory listing the utensils and movable goods located in the episcopal residence and belonging to the m. v., and ensure that the document is transmitted in its entirety and securely to his successor. Cases concerning the m. V. with regard to its goods are, with the bishop’s consent, referred to the diocesan tribunal, composed of the official and two pro-synodal judges, or to the superior judge (can. 1572 § 2), who, for a suffragan, is the metropolitan (can. 274, 8°); representation in court belongs to the bishop, who is obliged to appoint a procurator for himself (can. 1655 § 4) and, in particular cases, to request the assent or opinion of the cathedral Chapter or of the administrative council (can. 1663 § 1; 1532 §§ 2, 3). The Lateran Concordat (arts. 17 and 23) provides that, in the event of a reduction in the number of dioceses, their economic resources are not to be diminished in the slightest, with no exception for state allowances. Under art. 30, the obligation of conversion is excluded for ecclesiastical patrimonies and therefore also for the m. v.; finally, the m. V. of the suburbicarian dioceses is not subject to state intervention, which is provisionally permitted for the goods of other dioceses in transactions exceeding simple administration.