RECTOR. – From 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 concept of authority and jurisdiction predominates; in director that of guidance—hence spiritual director—whereas in r. the idea of governance prevails). In ecclesiastical legislation the name now designates, in particular, the r. of a church, seminary, or university.
I. R. OF A CHURCH (rector ecclesiae). – In ancient law, especially in the Decretals (cf. III, 6, 3; III, 48, 3), rector ecclesiae was one of the names by which the person entrusted with the care of souls was designated; the Council of Trent (cf. sess. XXIV, decr. Tametsi and chap. 13 de ref.) definitively called him parochus (v. PARROCO). In the CIC the expression rector ecclesiae has a twofold meaning: generic and specific. In the first sense it denotes every ecclesiastic who bears direct responsibility for a church, whether or not he is the parish priest (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 minor church, one that does not entail the care of souls: neither a parish church, nor a collegiate church, nor a religious church in the strict sense (can. 479 § 1; cf. can. 451 § 1). In this sense, r. of a church is opposed above all to parish priest (cf. can. 1341 § 2). The relevant norms of the CIC (bk. II, tit. 8, chap. 11: De ecclesiarum rectoribus [cann. 479-86]) constitute a juridical innovation, regulating for the first time the appointment or approval of the r. and his removal, and determining the religious functions that he may celebrate, according to the principle that no harm be done to the parish ministry.
The principal duties of the r. (can. 485) are the upkeep of the church’s dignity, the fulfillment of obligations arising from legacies or pious foundations (cf. can. 1549), the proper administration of its property (cf. cann. 1182 § 3, 1525 and 1535-36), the preservation of sacred furnishings (cf. can. 1302) and relics (cf. can. 1289), and care of the archive (can. 383). If, for part of the population, his church were situated more conveniently than the parish church, the Ordinary may require him, for the convenience of the faithful, to assist the parish priest in the celebration of the divine Offices and in religious instruction (can. 483).
When the church has juridical personality, the r. is its legitimate representative, even if a church-fabric board is attached to the church (v. FABBRICA E FABBRICERIA). This was established by R. D. 26 Sept. 1935, no. 2031, whose provisions replace some of those contained in the Regulation of 2 Dec. 1929 for the implementation of the law of 27 May 1929, no. 848, in application of the Concordat between the Holy See and Italy. Art. 8 of this law calls the premises intended as the r.’s residence a «retoria» (which in itself means the relevant ecclesiastical office), insofar as they constitute «a dependency, a necessary accessory of the Church» (Rocco Report). Hence the provision inserted in the same article, whereby the municipalities and provinces possessing former convent buildings, transferred to them by the law of 7 July 1866 (art. 20) or by analogous suppressive laws, must release, without any compensation, «an adequate portion thereof to be designated as the rectory of the adjoining church, which has been retained for public worship».
The chaplains—priests permanently assigned to religious service in communities, confraternities, and pious associations, as well as in prisons, hospitals, or the army—have an affinity with church r., but a different juridical status (can. 479 § 2).
II. SEMINARY RECTOR
He is the immediate and ordinary superior of the pious institute (can. 1358; cf. can. 891), on whom all depend—superiors, professors, and students (cann. 1360 § 2 and 1369 § 1). Without prejudice to the direction of consciences, reserved to the spiritual director, the rector regulates everything concerning the external forum: the moral, academic, hygienic, and economic administration of the institute. Accordingly, the CIC prescribes that no one be appointed rector unless he possesses such qualities of virtue, learning, and prudence as to exercise a profound influence, by example and word, upon the minds of the young (can. 1360 § 1).The rector of diocesan seminaries is freely appointed by the bishop. The rector of regional seminaries, if entrusted to the secular clergy, is appointed by the S. Congreg. of Seminaries; if entrusted to the regular clergy, by the respective superior general, with the approval of the same S. Congregation. Rectors of regional seminaries in mission territories are appointed, upon the proposal of the superior general, by the S. Congreg. of Propaganda Fide. The rector must remain in continuous contact with the authority on which he depends, without whose approval no important measures may be adopted. Like the teachers, he is required 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 to the episcopal conference of the respective region a comprehensive report on the condition and administration of the institute.
Since the seminary is an entity exempt from parochial jurisdiction, the rector also performs, for all who reside in the pious institute, the office of parish priest (can. 1368); but, given the principle of the distinction between the two fora, he may not hear the students’ confessions (can. 891). If a church open to the public is attached to the seminary, he is its rector ipso iure, unless the Ordinary has provided otherwise (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 contemplate the figure of the rector: cf. sess. XXII, cap. 1 de ref.), regarded the bishops as representatives of seminaries. In the absence or incapacity of the rector, however, the same Ordinary takes his place; he is entrusted with the protection and supervision 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. cann. 480 § 3 and 891).
III. UNIVERSITY RECTOR (Rector magnificus)
He is the person who exercises its immediate government. In government universities, as in Italy, he is the highest academic authority; in Catholic or ecclesiastical universities, he is the second authority, being subordinate to the grand chancellor.According to the university legislation governing ecclesiastical studies—Deus scientiarum Dominus (v.) and the Ordinationes annexed to it for its application—the rector (called the dean if the university has only one faculty) is appointed by the S. Congreg. of Seminaries and Universities of Studies upon the proposal of the grand chancellor; if, by particular law—as specified in the individual institutions’ own Statutes—his appointment belongs to others, confirmation by the same S. Congregation is always required (art. 16). Required to make the profession of faith before the grand chancellor, he receives that of the professors. He convenes the Council, which he chairs by right; he regulates the entire academic and disciplinary administration of the university; and he has the duty to follow ideological currents, reporting reprehensible publications to the competent authority (cf. can. 1397 § 1).
The title of rector, preserved in the French, Italian, German, and similar traditions, is connected with the rectores of the student associations (nationes) of the ancient University of Paris. English tradition, on the other hand, retained the original medieval title of chancellor (chancellor, cancellarius); in the United States of America, president is the prevailing term.
Italian legislation (the fundamental text being R. D. 30 Sept. 1923, n. 2103) distinguishes the rector, the juridical head of the university, from the director, the head of a higher or university institute. Rectors and directors are elected (today collegially by the academic body) from among the ordinary professors. The rector is ex officio a member, as president, of the academic senate and of the board of administration. The rector or director represents the university or institute and is the executive organ of the entity (Regol. univ., 6 Apr. 1924, arts. 6 and 9).