IUS ECCLESIAERIVISTA INTERNAZIONALE DI DIRITTO CANONICO

Voi. V - Num. 1 - Gennaio-Giugno 1993

ATENEO ROMANO DELLA SANTA CROCE GIUFFRÈ EDITORE

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Thailandia

Bisiiops’ CONFERENCE OF Thailand. Particular norms for Thailand (*).

Can. 8 § 2 e 455 § 3. Decree Number 1: Promulgatìon of Catholic Bishops' Conference of Thailand1 s Decrees.

In accordance with thè prescription of canons 8 § 2 and 455 § 3, thè Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand hereby decrees that thè decrees enacted by thè Catholic Bishops’ Conference, after recognition by thè Apostolic See, are promulgated through publication in thè series Officiai Document of thè Catholic Bishops’ Conference. In certain cases, another method of promulgation may also be prescribed.

These decrees come into force one calendar month after thè date affixed to thè decree of publication, unless, because of nature of thè case, they bind at once, or unless a shorter or íonger interval has been specifically and expressly prescribed in thè decree itself.

Can. 276 § 2, 3. Decree Number 2: Liturgy of thè Hours for Permanent Deacons.

In accordance with thè prescriptions of canon 276 § 2, 3, thè Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand hereby decrees that permanent deacons are obliged to pray daily thè Morning and Evening Prayer from thè Liturgy of thè Hours.

Can. 284. Decree Number 3: Ecclesiastical dress.In accordance with thè prescriptions of canon 284, thè Catholic

Bishops’ Conference of Thailand hereby decrees that, without prejudice to thè provisions of canon 288, clerics are to dress one of thè followings:

1) Cassock.2) Clergyman.3) À dignified outfit, sober in colour, with a clearly recognizable

sign, namely a cross designed and designated by thè Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand.

Can. 522. Decree Number 4: Term of office for parisi: priest.In accordance with thè prescriptions of canon 522, thè Catholic

Bishops’ Conference of Thailand hereby decrees that parish priests may be appointed for at least a renewable five-year term.

Can. 535 § 1 e 895. Decree Number 3: Other registers.In accordance with thè prescriptions of canon 535 §1, thè Catholic

Bishops’ Conference of Thailand hereby decrees that in each parish

(*) Vedi nota di J. T. Martin de Agar alla fine del documento.

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there are to be parochial registers, that is, of baptisms, of marriages, of deaths, of confirmations, of Status Animarum, of Mass offerings and of account books.

Can. 766. Decree Number 6: Permistión lo preach given to lay persons.

In accordante with thè prescriptions of canon 766, thè Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand hereby decrees that lay persons may be authorized by thè diocesan bishop to preach in churches or oratories on thè following occasions, in accord with canon 767:

— when thè faithful are gathered and there is no priest or deacon who can converse in thè language of thè people;

— when thè Liturgy of thè Word is celebrated without a priest or deacon;

— when seminarians who have begun their studies in theology are sent to parishes as part of their pastoral formation;

— when certain circumstances require thè participation of lay persons (financial questions, special appeals, special circumstances);

— when thè diocesan bishop judges it opportune (*).

(*) Complementary norm: The homily, which is part of thè liturgy, is always reserved to priests or deacons according to thè prescription of canon 767 § 1.

Can. 772 § 2 e 831 § 2. Decree Number 7: Presentation chnstìan teaching on radio or televisión.

In accordance with thè prescriptions of canon 772 §2, thè Catholic Bishops ’ Conference of Thailand hereby decrees that to expound Catholic teaching on radio or televisión, thè following provisions are to be observed:

o) only those programmes which have been explicitly recognized as « Catholic » by thè competent ecclesiastical authority shall be considered as Catholic;

b) thè persons working in this field must be properly trained in mass media communication and they will take account of:

— thè diversity of thè audiences and their various situations;— thè missionary and ecumenical dimensions of thè proclamation

of thè Gospel;— thè status of thè broadcasting companies;c) before presentation Christian teaching on radio or televisión,

thè persons working in this field will have been granted che permissions from his own Ordinary; thè Ordinary of thè place of production and thè Ordinary of thè place where it is being broadcast;

d) thè above mentioned norms are to be applied to everyone who takes part in radio and televisión programmes which concern catholic doctrine or moráis, including lay persons, clerics and members of religious institutes.

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Can. 788 § 3. Decree Number 8: Norm conceming thè arrangement of the catechumenate.

In accordance with the prescriptions of canon 788 § 3, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand hereby decrees that:

1. the catechumenate or its equivalent shall be established where necessary for adults (cf. canon 852 § 1). A similar provisión shall be made for school-age children who have not yet been baptized;

2. only those persons who have received the liturgical rite of admission to the catechumenate shall be considered as catechumens;

3. the various steps undertaken by the candidates shall be indicated. These acts shall be signed by the candidate(s) and by the person who presided over the ceremony;

4. thè candidate shall be integrated into a support group organized for this purpose, so that thè experience of ecclesia! life can be experienced;

5. the prerogatives for the catechumens are the following:a) to be allowed Church funeral rites;b) to be imparted with blessings.

Can. 804 § 1. Decree Number 9: Catholic religious education in schools.

In accordance with the prescriptions of canon 804 §1, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand hereby decrees that to provide for the formation and education in the catholic religión in catholic schools, the following provisions are to be observed:

— catholic schools that have priests or religious on thè staff must see that the same priests or religious carry out the formation and instruction in the Catholic Faith, and those responsible for the school take care that capable people teach the catholic students regularly;

— regarding the qualities of the capable lay teachers who teach the catholic religión in the school must possess thè certificate from the Catechetical Centre, and they must be outstanding in true doctrine and uprightness of life;

— those responsible for the school are to arrange regular classes of religious instruction for their catholic students and for non-Catholic students, who freely request it;

— those responsible are to teach all their students in the spirit of the Gospel and accord with the doctrine of the Magisterium of the Church.

Can. 854. Decree Number 10: Manner of conferring Baptism.In accordance with the prescriptions of canon 854, the Catholic

Bishops’ Conference of Thailand hereby decrees that baptism is to be conferred by pouring. If immersion is desired permission must be had from the Bishop of the place of baptism.

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Can. 1067. Decree Number 11: Prepararon and investigatìon before marriage.

In accordance with thè prescriptions of canon 1067, thè Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand hereby decrees that thè followings are to be observed before assisting at a marriage:

— use thè investigation form prescribed by thè Bishops’ Conference of Thailand;

— thè investigation must be done at least one month before thè marriage;

— thè marriage banns are to be published on at least two Sundays consecutively, even in thè case of marriages between Catholics and non Catholics, and also in cases of validation of marriage, unless there is sufficient reason for doing otherwise, but this decisión is at thè discretion of thè Bishop of thè place where thè parties have domicile.

Can. 1083 § 2. Decree Number 12: Minimum age for marriage.In accordance with thè prescriptions of canon 1083 §2, thè Catholic

Bishops’ Conference of Thailand hereby decrees that thè minimum age for a lawful marriage before thè Catholic Church in Thailand shall be 17 years complete for both parties.

In particular cases, thè locai Ordinary may dispense from this decree after having consulted with thè pastor(s) of thè Catholic party or parties (cf. canon 88).

Can. 1126. Decree Number 13: Declaratìons and promises in case of mixed marriage.

In accordance with thè prescriptions of canon 1126, thè Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand hereby decrees as follows:

1. thè Catholic party is to declare that he or she is prepared to remove dangers of defecting from thè faith, and is to make a sincere promise to do all in his or her power in order that all thè children be baptized and brought up in thè Catholic Church, thè manner of these declarations are to be made in writing before thè parish priest or his delegated priest;

2. thè other party is to be informed in good time of these promises to be made by thè Catholic party, so that it is certain that he or she is truely aware of thè promise and of thè obligation of thè Catholic party, he or she is to sign thè name before thè parish priest or his delegated priest showing he or she recognizes thè declaration and promise of thè catholic party;

3. both parties are to be instructed about thè purposes and essential properties of marriage by thè parish priests or thè persons duly delegated;

4. thè above mentioned norms are to be applied also thè case of disparity of worship.

Can. 1246 § 2. Deere e Number 14: Holy days of obligation.In accordance with thè prescriptions of canon 1246 §2, thè Catholic

Bishops’ Conference of Thailand hereby decrees that thè holy days of

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obligation to be observed in Thailand are: all Sundays of thè year, Christmas day.

The feasts of thè Epiphany, thè Ascensión of Christ, thè Body and Blood of Christ, thè Assumption, thè feast of thè Apostles SS. Peter and Paul, and thè feast of All Saints are transferred to thè Sundays following.

The other feasts listed in canon 1246 §1 will not be observed as holy days of obligation: thè feast of Mary thè Mother of God, thè Immaculate Conception and thè feast of St. Joseph (*).

(*) N.B. If thè feast of Mary thè Mother of God, thè Immaculate Conception and thè feast of St. Joseph are transferred to thè Sundays following, they will coincide with other Feasts and with a Sunday of Leni.

Can. 1253. Decree Number 15: Fast and abstìnence.In accordance with thè prescriptions of canon 1253, thè Catholic

Bishops’ Conference of Thailand hereby decrees thè other forms of penance to talee thè place of abstinence or fasting as follows:

1. doing other acts of devotion, such as thè Way of thè Cross, visiting thè Blessed Sacrament, saying thè Rosary;

2. performing acts of charity, such as giving alms, visiting thè sick;3. abstaining from food or from something we usually enjoy doing,

e.g., abstaining from alcoholic drinks or from smoking.

Can. 1265 § 2. Decree Number 16: Collections.In accordance with thè prescriptions of canon 1265 § 2, thè Catholic

Bishops’ Conference of 'Thailand hereby decrees that thè following norms on fundraising must be observed:

1. all private juridical or physical persons must have thè written permission of their own Ordinary and of thè locai Ordinary;

2. in seeking permissions both from their own Ordinary and thè locai Ordinary, thè purpose, thè means, thè time and place must be put in writing with thè request;

3. those who requested have to send a report of thè collection to their proper Ordinaries if they are of diocesan righi;

4. these norms are not to be applied to mendicant religious, unless they wish to collect money for purposes other than their sustenance.

Can. 1277. Decree Number 17: Acts of extraordinary administration.In accordance with thè prescriptions of canon 1277, thè Catholic

Bishops’ Conference of Thailand hereby decrees that thè following acts of administration will be considered as acts of extraordinary administration and therefore will be subject to thè limitations of canons which regúlate such acts:

1. acts which, according to thè prescriptions of thè Code of Canon Law, require thè approvai or thè advice of certain groups or advisors;

2. acts of alienation of property, which include: sale of church land and buildings, entering into long-term loans or mortgages bonds or

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debentures, transfer of corporate ownership to lay boards (these acts are also subject to thè limitations of canon 1292 ss.);

3. acts which endanger thè patrimony of a juridical person (these acts are also subject to thè limitations of canon 1292 ss.);

4. acceptance or refusai of an inheritance, a bequest, a donation or foundation because of long-term obligations;

5. leasings or renting properties for longer than six years (these acts are also subject to thè prescriptions of canon 1297);

6. purchasing of reai estate;7. opening of a cemetery;8. construction of new buildings or extensive repairs on old

buildings;9. establishment of a school or institution.

Can. 1292. Decree Number 18: Alienation ofChurch property.In accordance with thè prescriptions of canon 1292, thè Catholic

Bishops’ Conference of Thailand hereby decrees that for selling thè goods in amounts of less than 500,000 Baht (ÜS $ 20,000), thè diocesan Bishop may carry out these acts on his own. Acts between 500,000 Baht (US $ 20,000) and 25,000,000 Baht (US $ 1,000,000): thè diocesan Bishop needs thè consent of thè Finance Committee and thè College of Consultors. Acts over 25,000,000 Baht (US $ 1,000,000): thè consent of thè Holy See is also required before thè transaction can be validly concluded.

Can. 1297. Decree Number 19: Leasing of ecclesìastìcal ìmmovable property.

In accordance with thè prescriptions of canon 1297, thè Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand hereby decrees that thè following norms shall be observed when it is question of leasing or renting ecclesiastical goods:

1. The leasing of ecclesiastical property, when thè lease extends over a periocl of six years, constitutes an act of extraordinary administration, and is subject to thè prescriptions of canon 1277, or, in thè case of institutes of consecrated life, of canon 638 § 1.

2. Any leasing or renting of ecclesiastical property should be done in writing, observing all applicable civil and particular laws.

3. Normally, thè Church property shall not be leased for less than thè current comparable rates. If, however, in particular circumstances, thè property is to be leased for less than these rates, thè written permission of thè Ordinary is to be obtained beforehand, except in thè case of institutes of consecrated life of pontificai righi where permission of thè major superior shall be obtained.

4. If thè total amount of rent to be paid exceeds thè maximum amount determined for thè región for acts of alienation of ecclesiastical goods, and if thè lease has a duration of more than nine years, thè permission of thè Holy See is also to be obtained beforehand.

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Can. 1421 § 2. Decree Number20: Layjudgesin ecclesiasticaltribunals.In accordance with the prescriptions of canon 1421 §2, the Catholic

Bishops’ Conference of Thailand hereby decrees diat where it is opportune to do so, lay persons who have the necessary qualifications as outlined in the law, may be appointed judges in Church courts, to be part of a Collegial Tribunal.

Can. 1425 § 4. Decree Number 21: One judge in matrimonial cases.fn accordance with the prescriptions of canon 1425, the Catholic

Bishops’ Conference of Thailand hereby decrees that when it is not possible to constitute a Collegial Tribunal of three judges in first instance for the adjudicaron of marriage nullity cases, the case may be entrusted to one clerical judge, who, where possible, shall be assisted by an assessor and an auditor.

Congregatici pro Gentium evangelizatione. Decretimi recognitionis, 9 dicembre 1991.

Em.mus ac Rev.mus Dominus Cardinalis Michael Meechai Kitbun- chu, Archiepiscopus Bangkokensis et Conferentiae Episcopali Thailandiae Praeses, ab Apostolica Sede postulavi ut decreta generaba pro Thailandia, quae ad novi Codicis Iuris Canonici praescripta exsequenda a coetu plena­rio, ad normam iuris, approbata sunt, rite recognoscerentur.

Quapropter haec Congregatio pro Gentium Evangelizatione, auditis competentibus Dicasteriis, et vi facultatum sibi a SS.mo Domino Nostro Ioanne Paulo Divina Providentia Pp. II tributarum, die 9 mensis Decem- bris vertentis anni, praefata decreta prout in adnexo exemplari continen- tur, recognovit et iussit ut praesens ad rem Recognitionis Decretum pro- mulgetur.

Contrariis quibusvis minime obstantibus.

Datum Romae, ex Aedibus Congregationis pro Gentium Evangeliza­tione, die 9 mensis Decembris a. D. 1991.

Joseph Card. Tomko. Praefectus CarolusA. Schleck, CSC. Subsecretarius

Note alle norme applicative del CIC in Thailandia.

Vogliamo illustrare, con queste note, i punti salienti di questi primi 21 decreti della CE 0) della Thailandia, mettendoli talvolta a confronto con

(9 CE = Conferenza episcopale / Conferenze episcopali.

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quelli di altre Conferenze (2). In primo luogo ci sembra interessante nota­re la redazione del relativo decreto di recognìtio emanato dalla Congr. per l’evangelizzazione dei Popoli, dalla quale si evince con chiarezza che l’at­to di ricognizione è un atto della Congregazione stessa e non del Santo Padre, come forse si potrebbe dedurre da altri decreti della stessa natura nei quali si dice che il Sommo Pontefice probavit seu confirmavit le norme di una data Conferenza episcopale (3).

Il che potrebbe far sorgere la questione di quale sia l’autorità e la portata della recognìtio, che a mio parere è, c rimane un atto della Con­gregazione, benché debba essere sottoposto alla approvazione del Santo Padre ai sensi dell’art. 18, Io cpv., della Cosi. Ap. Pastor Bonus. Sembra chiaro che di per sé l’approvazione pontificia di un Decreto di recognìtio non deve avvenire di regola in forma specifica, soprattutto dopo la pro­mulgazione del Regolamento Generale della Curia Romana (4) i cui artt. 109-111 chiariscono il senso dell’art. 18 della Pastor Bonus.

Non è invece altrettanto chiara la redazione per quanto riguarda le facoltà concesse dal Papa alla Congregazione in vista della recognìtio. Si può pensare che non siano altro che quelle che le vengono attribuite dal- l’art. 89 della Pastor Bonus, oppure che si riferiscano al fatto che il decre­to della Congr. de propaganda Vide è stato sottoposto, come detto sopra, alla approvazione del Romano Pontefice, il che sicuramente è avvenuto.

Decreto n. 3, sull’abito clericale: La CE thailandese ammette, oltre che la tonaca ed il clergyman, un vestito degno con la croce come distin­tivo, come hanno fatto altre Conferenze, talvolta approvando così una consuetudine introdotta. Ma nella Thailandia la croce deve essere quella concreta disegnata ed approvata dalla CE; una specificazione che è stata fatta anche dalla CE dell’Uruguay (5).

Decreto n. 3: Benché non ci sia un riferimento esplicito, in questa norma si statuisce anche in riguardo al c. 895, che permette alle CE di

(2) Per una trattazione comparativa più estesa vide J. T. Martin de Agar,

Estudio comparado de los Decretos generales de las Conferencias Episcopales, in Ius Ca- nonicum, 32 (1992) p. 173-229.

(3) Cf acl es. il decreto della Congr. per i Vescovi dell’11 gennaio 1986, riguar­dante le norme complementari della Colombia, in Ius Ecclesiae, 3 (1991) p. 401. In altre occasioni nel decreto della Congr. si legge che il Romano Pontefice recognoscere dijudicavit le delibere di una Conferenza presentategli dal Prefetto della Congregazio­ne; ad es. il Decreto della Congr. per i Vescovi del 26 maggio 1988 in cui vengono recognitae alcune decisioni della CE francese (« Bulletin Officiel de la Conférencc des Evéques de France » 30 (1986) p. 43.

(4) Del 4 febbraio 1992, AAS, 84 (1992) 201-267; anche in Ius Ecclesiae 4 (1992), p. 723-763.

(5) I decreti delle altre CE cui si fa riferimento in questa nota, si possono vede­re in J.T.Martín de Agar, Legislazione delle Conferenze Episcopali complementare al CIC, Milano 1990.

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stabilire il registro parrocchiale della Cresima. La Conferenza thailande­se si allinea in questo punto con quasi tutte le altre Conferenze.

Decreto n. 6: Due delle occasioni nelle quali si permette che possa­no predicare i laici hanno una certa originalità che non trova riscontro nelle delibere di altre Conferenze: quando non sia presente un chierico che conosca la lingua del popolo, e quella riguardante i seminaristi che aiutano nella pastorale delle parrocchie, i quali, nel prestare tale collabo­razione, potranno anche impratichirsi nella predicazione.

Decreto n. 7, sulla presentazione della dottrina cristiana per radio o televisione; oltre a richiedere il permesso del proprio Ordinario e di quello del luogo dove avviene la trasmissione, la CE thailandese esige anche il permesso dell’Ordinario del luogo ove il programma viene pro­dotto. Peraltro questa Conferenza distingue tra programmi ufficialmente « cattolici » e gli altri, come del resto hanno fatto alcune altre Confe­renze (6).

Decreto n. 8, sul catecumenato: La Conferenza precisa che il cate­cumenato degli adulti comprende quelli che hanno compiuto 7 anni ed hanno l’uso di ragione rimettendosi al c. 852 § 1 (7). Sarebbe opportuno includere tra i diritti e doveri dei catecumeni quelli di partecipare, a se­conda della loro condizione, nella liturgia e nell’apostolato.

Decreto n. 9: Le disposizioni riguardano soltanto le scuole cattoli­che in accordo con la situazione scolastica del paese, benché il c. 804 §1 parli esplicitamente della educatio religiosa cattolica in quibuslibet scholis impertitur aut variis communicationis socialis instrumentis procura tur, seb­bene per questi ultimi ci sono norme specifiche nello stesso CIC.

Decreto n. 13, sulle previe dichiarazioni e promesse nei matrimoni misti: Poiché il c. 1086 § 2 rimette alle condizioni del c. 1126, le nor­me della Conferenza, come essa stessa a ragione avverte, riguardano an­che la dispensa dall’impedimento di disparità di culto.

Decreto n. 14: Oltre alle domeniche rimane come unica festa di pre­cetto il Natale del Signore, le altre vengono trasferite alla domenica suc­cessiva, o soppresse quando il trasferimento non è possibile per ragioni liturgiche che la stessa CE spiega in nota. E questa una prassi ormai molto diffusa che, a mio avviso, rischia di appiattire il ciclo liturgico e di far perdere ai fedeli il senso delle festività, per cui sarebbe preferibile celebrare ogni festa nel suo giorno proprio, ricordando che l’obbligo del precetto cessa di fronte ad una difficoltà proporzionata.

Decreto n. 15: Il tenore del decreto permette la sostituzione del di­giuno e dell’astinenza per altre opere di penitenza in tutti i casi, come consentono anche le CE dell’India e del Perù. Di solito le Conferenze

(6) Svizzera, Francia, Venezuela, Spagna, Canada.(7) Cf c. 97 § 2.

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non hanno ammesso tale possibilità nei venerdì di quaresima o per lo meno nel mercoledì delle ceneri e nel venerdì santo.

Decreto n. 16, sulle questue; questa delibera è somigliante a quella emanata dalla CE Filippina. Appare interessante il riconoscimento espresso che si fa del diritto dei mendicanti di fare questue per il pro­prio sostentamento, nonostante che il c. 1265 §2 permetta alle Confe­renze di emanare norme in materia che obbligano tutti, mendicanti in­clusi. E infatti, altre CE hanno stabilito espressamente che le loro di­sposizioni vincolano anche i mendicanti (8).

Decreto n. 17: Il primo numero di questo decreto include tra gli at­ti di amministrazione straordinaria tutti quelli per i quali nel CIC si esi­ge il previo consenso o parere di un collegio. Così facendo la CE thai­landese cancella in pratica la distinzione dello stesso c. 1277 tra gli atti di amministrazione straordinaria e quelli qui, attento statu oeconomico dioecesis, sunt maìorìs momenti; il che può senz’altro essere una buona soluzione al problema di attuare in pratica tale distinzione, ma forse re­stringe troppo la libertà del Vescovo diocesano.

Decreto n. 21, sul giudice unico in prima istanza; la delibera limita questa possibilità alle cause di nullità matrimoniale, escludendo quindi le altre cause segnalate nel § 1 del c. 1425. Così hanno stabilito anche le Conferenze del Canada e dell’Irlanda. Le altre CE parlano per lo più in modo generico di cause di prima istanza.

José T. Martin de Agar

(8) Santo Domingo, Guatemala, Equador, Colombia.

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