REMOVAL. — In a general sense, it denotes the authoritative removal of someone from an office or benefice; in a strict sense, removal is proper to parish priests, whether they are irremovable or removable (v. AMOVIBILITY; IRREMOVABILITY).
The CIC prescribes that for the removal of an irremovable parish priest, one of those causes is required which, regardless of guilt or innocence, render the parochial ministry either ineffective or, indeed, harmful to the good of souls (can. 2147 § 1). The principal such causes are the following: a permanent mental or physical infirmity rendering him no longer physically capable, even with the aid of an assistant vicar, of fulfilling the obligations of his ministry; the hatred of the faithful directed against him, even if arising without his fault; the loss of esteem on the part of his parishioners, caused by any reason whatsoever, even if due to the misconduct of his relatives; the possibility that a secret crime committed by the parish priest might become publicly known, thereby giving rise to scandal among the faithful; and finally, the poor administration of the temporal goods of the parish (decree *Maxima Cura* of the Sacred Consistorial Congregation, 20 Aug. 1910, in *AAS*, 2 [1910], pp. 936 ff.).
Once the existence of one of these causes has been established, the Ordinary, having heard the opinion of two examiners, shall invite the parish priest, in writing or orally, to resign the parish within a fixed period. In issuing this invitation to resign, the Ordinary, under pain of nullity, must communicate to him the reasons which have led him to take this measure (can. 2148). The parish priest may, by accepting the resignation, propose conditions, which however must be accepted by the bishop to have force (can. 2159).
If the parish priest deems it opportune, he may also demonstrate by testimony that the cause adduced by the Ordinary does not correspond to the truth (can. 2151); but if the Ordinary does not find the parish priest’s submissions well-founded, having heard the opinion of the two examiners, he shall issue the decree of removal (can. 2149, 2152). Against such a decree, the parish priest has the right to appeal to the Ordinary himself, and the latter may not confirm the decree until he has carefully weighed the new arguments adduced by the parish priest and heard the opinion of two consultor parish priests (can. 2153).
From a definitive decree of removal, the only recourse is to the Holy See, during which the Ordinary may not confer the benefice (can. 2146). For the removal of removable parish priests, the procedure is simpler, but a just cause is always required (can. 2149, 2158, 2159–61).
To removed parish priests, according to the circumstances, there may be assigned either another benefice or a pension. Under equal conditions, greater favor is to be shown to one who resigns than to one who is removed (can. 2154). After the definitive decree of removal, the parish priest is bound to vacate the parochial residence, except in the case of illness, and to hand over everything to the new parish priest (can. 2156). By common law he is bound to leave the parish, but the Ordinary may expressly command II.