On societies, whether of men or of women, living in common without vows (Can. 673-681)

Canon 673

§ 1. A society, whether of men or of women, in which the members live in common imitating a religious rule under the government of a Superior according to an approved constitution, yet not obligated by the three usual public vows, is not properly religious, nor are its members properly designated by the term religious.

§ 2. A society of this sort is clerical or religious, [and] of pontifical or diocesan right, according to the norm of Canon 488, nn. 3 and 4.

Canon 674

Concerning the erection or suppression of a society and its provinces or houses, those things established for religious Congregations are equally applicable.

Canon 675

Governance is determined in each society by its constitutions; but in all things, Canons 499–530 are to be observed, due adaptation being made.

Canon 676

§ 1. A society and its provinces and houses are capable of acquiring and possessing temporal goods.

§ 2. The administration of goods is governed by the prescription of Canons 532–37.

§ 3. Whatever the members come into by reason of the society is acquired by it; members retain, acquire, and administer other goods according to the constitutions.

Canon 677

In admitting candidates the constitutions are observed, with due regard for the prescription of Canon 542.

Canon 678

In those things that pertain to the course of studies and the taking up of orders, the members are bound by the same laws as are secular clerics, with due regard for special prescriptions given by the Holy See.

Canon 679

§ 1. Members of societies, beyond those obligations that as members they are subject to according to the constitutions, are [also] bound by the common obligations of clerics, unless by the nature of the thing or the context of the words it appears otherwise, and likewise they must stand by the prescriptions of Canons 595–612, unless the constitutions state otherwise.

§ 2. Cloister must be observed in accord with the constitutions under the vigilance of the local Ordinary.

Canon 680

[Members], even laity, enjoy those clerical privileges that are mentioned in Canons 119–23 and those others directly granted to the society, but not the privileges of religious without special indult.

Canon 681

Concerning transfer from one society to another religious [institute] or concerning the departure of a member from a society even of pontifical right, besides the proper constitutions of each society, there shall be observed, insofar as they are applicable, the prescriptions of Canons 632–35, and 645; concerning their dismissal, [see] Canons 646–72.

THIRD PART ON LAITY1 Canon 682

(1983 CIC 213)

Laity have the right of receiving from the clergy, according to the norm of ecclesiastical discipline, spiritual goods and especially that aid necessary for salvation.

Codex Iuris Canonici auctoritate Ioannis Pauli PP. II promulgatus (Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis, 1983) Codex Iuris Canonici Pii X Pontificis Maximi iussu digestus, Benedicti Papae XV auctoritate promulgatus (Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis, 1917) Codex Iuris Canonici auctoritate Ioannis Pauli PP. II promulgatus (Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis, 1983) 1 Timothy Champoux, “The Juridical Position of the Laity in the Church” (MS no. 499, Gregorian University, 1938; printed version, no. 172, 1939); Ronald Cox, “A Study of the Juridic Status of Laymen in the Writing of the Medieval Canonists”, Canon Law Studies, no. 395 (J. C. D. thesis, Catholic University of America, 1959); James Hertel, “The Laity, Luther and Trent”, Canon Law Studies, no. 465 (Catholic University of America, 1968); Henry Bretena Perez, “The Appraisal of the Juridical Personality of the Laity in the Post Conciliar Era” (diss. no. 2, Pontifical University of St. Thomas [Rome], 1967–1968); Thomas Green, “Principle and Practice of Lay Consultation in the Church” (thesis, Gregorian University; printed version, no. 2025, 1968); John Louis, “The Evolution of the Juridical Concept of the Laity between Vatican I and Vatican II” (thesis, Gregorian University; printed version, no. 2133, 1969). Codex Iuris Canonici auctoritate Ioannis Pauli PP. II promulgatus (Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis, 1983)

Canon Law Digest VI: 506–7

Canon 683

(NA)

It is not permitted for laity to wear clerical habit, unless it concerns either a student in a Seminary or others aspiring to orders as described in Canon 972, § 2, or those laity legitimately dedicated to the service of a church while they are in the church or are outside of it taking part in some ecclesiastical ministry. Canon Law Digest IV: 246

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