RECTOR. — From the Latin regere, it denotes in itself one who is at the head of an institution. In common usage it is often synonymous with director or superior (in superior the idea of authority and judgment predominates; in director the idea of guidance—hence “spiritual director”); in rector, on the other hand, the prevailing idea is that of governance. In ecclesiastical legislation the term today designates, in particular, the rector of a church, a seminary, or a university.
I. RECTOR OF A CHURCH (rector ecclesiae)
In ancient canon law, especially in the Decretals (cf. III, 6, 3; III, 48, 3), rector ecclesiae was one of the terms used to designate the holder of parochial care, whom the Council of Trent (cf. sess. XXIV, decret. Tametsi and cap. 13 de ref.) definitively called parochus (v. PARISH PRIEST). In the 1917 Code of Canon Law (CIC) the expression rector ecclesiae has a twofold meaning: generic and specific. In the first sense it denotes every cleric who has direct responsibility for a church, whether he be a parish priest or not (cf. cann. 216 § 1; 804 § 2; 846 § 2; 1162 § 3; 1289 § 2; 1302; 1535; 1536); in the second it indicates the priest entrusted with a simple or lesser church that does not entail parochial care: not parochial, not capitular, nor properly religious (can. 479 § 1; cf. can. 451 § 1). In this sense, rector of a church is chiefly contrasted with parish priest (cf. can. 1341 § 2). The relevant norms of the CIC (I. II, tit. 8, cap. 11; De ecclesiarum rectoribus [can. 479–86]) constitute a juridical novelty, regulating for the first time the appointment or approval of the rector and his removal, and determining the sacred functions he may celebrate, with the criterion that no prejudice be done to parochial ministry.The principal duties of the rector (can. 485) are: the decorum of the church, the fulfillment of obligations arising from legacies or pious foundations (cf. can. 1549), the proper administration of goods (cf. can. 1182 § 3, 1525 and 1535–36), the preservation of sacred furnishings (cf. can. 1302) and relics (cf. can. 1289), and the care of the archive (can. 383). If, for part of the people, his church is more conveniently situated than the parochial one, the Ordinary may, for the convenience of the faithful, impose upon him the duty of supplying the parish priest in the celebration of the divine offices and in religious instruction (can. 483).
When the church has juridical personality, the rector is its legitimate representative, even if the church is attached to a fabbriceria (v. FABBRI, FABBRICERIA). This was defined by the Royal Decree of 26 Sept. 1935, no. 2031, whose norms supersede some of those contained in the Regulation of 2 Dec. 1929 for the execution of the law of 27 May 1929, no. 848, in application of the Concordat between the Holy See and Italy. Article 8 of this law designates as “rectory” (which in itself means the ecclesiastical office) the premises intended as the residence of the rector, inasmuch as they constitute “a dependency, a necessary adjunct of the church” (Relazione Rocco). Hence the provision inserted in the same article, whereby communes and provinces possessing ex-conventual buildings, devoluted to them by the law of 7 July 1866 (art. 20) or by analogous laws, must release, without any indemnity, “a suitable portion to be destined as a rectory for the attached church, preserved for public worship.”
Closely related to rectors of churches, but with a different juridical status (can. 479 § 2), are chaplains, priests permanently assigned to religious service in communities, confraternities, pious associations, as well as in prisons, hospitals, or the military.
II. RECTOR OF A SEMINARY
He is the immediate and ordinary superior of the pious institute (can. 1358; cf. can. 891), upon whom depend all superiors, professors, and students (can. 1360 § 2 and 1369 § 1). Save for the direction of consciences, which is reserved to the spiritual director, the rector regulates everything pertaining to the external forum: the moral, academic, hygienic, and economic conduct of the institute. For this reason the CIC prescribes that only one endowed with such virtues, learning, and prudence as to exert a profound influence, by word and example, upon the minds of the young may be elected rector (can. 1360 § 1).The rector of diocesan seminaries is freely appointed by the bishop. That of regional seminaries, if entrusted to secular clergy, is appointed by the Sacred Congregation of Seminaries; if to regular clergy, by the respective superior general with the approval of the same Sacred Congregation. The rectors of regional seminaries in mission lands are appointed, upon the proposal of the superior general, by the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide. The rector must maintain continuous contact with the authority upon whom he depends, without whose approval no important measures may be taken. Like the professors, he is bound to make the profession of faith (can. 1406 § 1, n. 7). At least the rectors of major seminaries have the right to participate in the diocesan synod (can. 358 § 1). The rectors of regional seminaries have the duty to submit a comprehensive report on the state and conduct of the institute to the episcopal conference of the respective region.
Since the seminary is an entity exempt from parochial jurisdiction, the rector also fulfills, for all who reside in the pious institute, the office of parish priest (can. 1368); but, given the principle of the distinction of the two forums, he may not hear the confessions of the students (can. 891). If a church open to the public is attached to the seminary, he is ipso iure its rector, unless the Ordinary has otherwise decreed (can. 480 § 3). Since the seminary has its own juridical personality, the rector is its legitimate representative. Before the CIC, jurisprudence, in conformity with the Council of Trent (which does not consider the figure of the rector: cf. sess. XXII, cap. 1 de ref.), held the bishops to be the representatives of the seminaries. In their absence or default, however, the same Ordinary supplied the office, to whom is entrusted the guardianship and oversight of all ecclesiastical moral persons in the diocese (cf. can. 1653 § 5). In the exercise of his office, the rector is assisted by one or more vice-rectors, according to the number of students. A juridical figure similar to his is that of the rector (or director) of a college (cf. can. 480 § 3 and 891).
III. RECTOR OF A UNIVERSITY (Rector magnificus)
He is the one who has immediate governance. In state universities, as in Italy, he is the first academic authority; in Catholic or ecclesiastical universities, he is the second, being subordinate to the Grand Chancellor.According to the legislation for ecclesiastical studies — Deus scientiarum Dominus (v.) and the annexed Ordinations for its application — the rector (called dean if the university has only one faculty) is appointed by the Sacred Congregation of Seminaries and Universities of Studies upon the proposal of the Grand Chancellor; if, by particular law—specified in the statutes proper to each institution—the appointment belongs to others, the confirmation of the same Sacred Congregation is always required (art. 16). Bound to make the profession of faith before the Grand Chancellor, he receives that of the professors. He convokes the Council, of which he is president ex officio; regulates all scientific and disciplinary matters of the university; and has the duty to monitor ideological trends, denouncing to the competent authority publications that are objectionable (cf. can. 1397 § 1).
The title of rector, preserved in French, Italian, German, and similar traditions, is connected with the rectores of the student nations of the ancient University of Paris. The English tradition, on the other hand, has retained the primitive medieval title of chancellor (chancelier, cancellarius); in the United States of America the title of president prevails.
Italian legislation (fundamental is the Royal Decree no. 2103 of 30 Sept. 1923) distinguishes the rector, juridical head of the university, from the director, head of a higher or university institute. Rectors and directors are elected (today collegially by the academic body) from among full professors. The rector is ex officio a member, with the role of president, of the academic senate and of the administrative council. The rector or director represents the university or institute and is the executive organ of the institution (University Regulations, 6 Apr. 1924, arts. 6 and 9).