Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church - Relics

 

Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church

BOOK IV:  THE SANCTIFYING OFFICE OF THE CHURCH (Cann. 834 – 848)

PART II:  THE OTHER ACTS OF DIVINE WORSHIP

TITLE IV:  THE CULT OF THE SAINTS, OF SACRED IMAGES AND OF RELICS

Can. 1186 To foster the sanctification of the people of God, the Church commends to the special and filial veneration of Christ's faithful the Blessed Mary ever‚Virgin, the Mother of God, whom Christ constituted the Mother of all. The Church also promotes the true and authentic cult of the other Saints, by whose example the faithful are edified and by whose intercession they are supported. 


Can. 1187 Only those servants of God may be venerated by public cult who have been numbered by ecclesiastical authority among the Saints or the Blessed. 


Can. 1188 The practice of exposing sacred images in churches for the veneration of the faithful is to be retained. However, these images are to be displayed in moderate numbers and in suitable fashion, so that the Christian people are not disturbed, nor is occasion given for less than appropriate devotion. 


Can. 1189 The written permission of the Ordinary is required to restore precious images needing repair: that is, those distinguished by reason of age, art or cult, which are exposed in churches and oratories to the veneration of the faithful. Before giving such permission, the Ordinary is to seek the advice of experts. 


Can. 1190 ß1 It is absolutely wrong to sell sacred relics. 


ß2 Distinguished relics, and others which are held in great veneration by the people, may not validly be in any way alienated nor transferred on a permanent basis, without the permission of the Apostolic See. 


ß3 The provision of ß2 applies to images which are greatly venerated in any church by the people. 

BOOK IV:  THE SANCTIFYING OFFICE OF THE CHURCH (Cann. 834 – 848)     

PART III:  SACRED PLACES AND TIME

TITLE I:  SACRED PLACES (Cann. 1205 - 1243)

CHAPTER IV:  ALTARS

Can. 1237 § Fixed altars are to be dedicated, movable ones either dedicated or blessed, according to the rites prescribed in the liturgical books.

§2 The ancient tradition of placing relics of Martyrs or of other Saints within a fixed altar is to be retained, in accordance with the rites prescribed in the liturgical books.