PUNT'ATORI. - This is the name given to those who, in each Cathedral or collegiate Chapter, are to be elected with the task of marking those
members of the Chapter who do not attend choir when attendance is prescribed.
Each Chapter appoints one or more of them in accordance with its respective statutes. Those appointed take an oath to perform the office faithfully, either before the Chapter or before the president of the Chapter itself. The bishop may appoint, on his own behalf, another p. in addition to those appointed by the Chapter. Should the p. not have been appointed, or in any case should they not be present in choir, the senior among the canons present takes their place (CIC, can. 395 § 4).
The office of the p. is not perpetual; indeed, since it is an invidious office, it would be appropriate for them to be designated in rotation and for a relatively short period (six months or one year). Any cleric of that particular Chapter may be p.; some authors maintain that he may also be a cleric who is not a member of the Chapter; nevertheless, he may never be the sacristan or the penitentiary canon. Those are also regarded as absent who, though physically present in choir, do not take part in the prayers or common chant, or frequently withdraw from them. The reasons for temporary absences from choir must be communicated to the p., who in turn records them in the register of attendance marks. This register constitutes evidence in court.