Canon 522 - Stability of Office of Pastor

On November 14, 1983, the Latin Rite de iure members of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops approved complementary legislation for canon 522 of the Code of Canon Law for the Latin Rite dioceses of the United States.

Reviewed: The proposed action was reviewed by the Holy See (Congregation for Bishops) as noted in Prot. No. 1887/84/6, May 16, 1984.

Final Decree: Individual ordinaries may appoint pastors to a six year term of office. The possibility of renewing this term is left to the discretion of the diocesan bishop. The primary provision of canon 522 that pastors may be appointed for an indefinite period of time remains in force.1

Promulgated: September 24, 1984


Most Reverend James W. Malone
President, NCCB

Reverend Monsignor Daniel F. Hoye
General Secretary

1. The action of the full body of bishops in November 1983 was not approved by the Congregation for Bishops. The provision of a six-year renewable term was established in the decree of September 24, 1984

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