Can. 23 A custom introduced by a community of the
faithful has the force of law only if it has been approved by the
legislator, in accordance with the following canons.
Can. 24 §1 No custom which is contrary to divine law can acquire the
force of law.
§2 A custom which is contrary to or apart from canon law, cannot
acquire the force of law unless it is reasonable; a custom which is
expressly reprobated in the law is not reasonable.
Can. 25 No custom acquires the force of law unless it has been
observed, with the intention of introducing a law, by a community
capable at least of receiving a law.
Can. 26 Unless it has been specifically approved by the competent
legislator, a custom which is contrary to the canon law currently in
force, or is apart from the canon law, acquires the force of law only
when it has been lawfully observed for a period of thirty continuous and
complete years. Only a centennial or immemorial custom can prevail over
a canonical law which carries a clause forbidding future customs.
Can. 27 Custom is the best interpreter of laws.
Can. 28 Without prejudice to the provisions of can. 5, a custom,
whether contrary to or apart from the law, is revoked by a contrary
custom or law. But unless the law makes express mention of them, it does
not revoke centennial or immemorial customs, nor does a universal law
revoke particular customs.
|