CANONICAL VISITATION. — On the basis of the current canonical legislation—which is the fruit of the numerous norms previously promulgated by the Roman Pontiffs—authors usually define the c. V. as «quedam diligens et accurata investigatio seu inquisitio forma solemniere et propria facta de omnibus rebus ad quas observandas tenentur personae ipsae visitatae; cum iure corrigendi et reformandi si quos abusus visitator inveniet» (cf. A. Villagut, Speculum visitatorum [V. BIBLICA.], p. 3).
The constituent elements of the c. V. may therefore be reduced to four: a) investigation (inquisitio) both of persons and of things and places (cf. cann. 344; 512; 511; 513); b) the visitor’s power to proceed, through juridical provisions, to the correction of the abuses discovered (cf. can. 513 § 1); c) its being carried out by the visitor with authority (cf. cann. 513 § 2; 2413); d) both the investigation and any eventual correction must be conducted with the canonical formalities, that is, in conformity with the CIC (cf. cann. 344; 512; 511). In relation to the visitor’s authority, the visitation may be jurisdictional or disciplinary, according as it is carried out with jurisdiction or merely with dominative power: both possess a juridical character and are to be regarded as canonical. According to the manner in which it is conducted, it may be judicial, if carried out with the formalities of procedural law, or paternal, if conducted administratively. With reference to time, the c. V. is called ordinary or extraordinary, according as it is carried out at determined periods or otherwise (cf. cann. 343, 344, 511, 512 § 1, n. 2). With regard to its extent, it may be total or partial, according as it is carried out concerning everything or only certain objects or matters (cf. cann. 512 § 2, nn. 2 and 3; 618).
The Church also has visitations occasionaliter decretatae, ordered by the authority with a special mandate, such as apostolic visitations, in which the visitor proceeds with a mandate directly from the Holy See. In this case, the authority and powers of the apostolic visitor depend on the nature of the mandate received. Such visitations are not infrequent; in this regard the CIC has established no special norms, because of the extraordinary nature of this type of visitation, for which the Holy See, according to the needs, circumstances, and actual factors suggesting its advisability, establishes special powers and procedures for the visitor. Apostolic visitors are usually sent by the Sacred Consistorial Congregation for the overall organization of dioceses; by the Sacred Congregation of Religious for the discipline of Religious Orders and Congregations; by the Sacred Congregation of the Council for questions relating to the discipline of the clergy and the Christian people; and by the Sacred Congregation of Seminaries and Universities of Studies for matters relating to the moral and cultural formation of candidates for the priesthood (for Italy there is a permanent apostolic visitor). The Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office, when necessary, customarily sends apostolic visitors for questions within its competence; the Sacred Congregation for the Discipline of the Sacraments sometimes sends apostolic visitors to supervise tribunals handling matrimonial cases.
The purpose which the Church has set for itself or seeks to attain whenever it orders a visitation is essentially that recalled by can. 343 § 1: «Ad sanam et orthodoxam doctrinam conservandam, bonos mores tuendos, pravos corrigendos, pacem, innocentiam, pietatem et disciplinam in populo et clero promovendam ceteraque pro ratione adiunctorum ad bonum religionis constituenda...». Special purposes may be suggested by particular situations and circumstances, which are usually examined by special visitors, such as apostolic visitors.