CANON
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CANON
and Alexander II (1063). There were also reforms
by Innocent II and the Council of Lateran (1139),
and by Benedict XII (1339). [On the ruin of the
earlier vita canonica see the complaints of Anselm of
Bavelberg (d. 1155), in P. L., CLXXXVIII, 1093,
and of Gerhoh of Reichersberg (d. 1169), in the fifth
volume of Baluze's "Miscellanea", ed. Mansi (Lucca,
1761).] The development of the Church and the in-
crease in the number of the faithful had rendered the
one church of the bishop and his canons insufficient
for the needs of the people; accordingly, side by side
with those who followed the community life there
were other clergy who served the filial churches and
fulfilled the ordinary parochial duties. The bishops
gradually derived greater assistance from these pa-
rochial clergy in the management of their dioceses,
and such secular coadjutors were formally constituted
as canons by the Council of Trent. (See "Analeeta
Jur. Pontif.", 1863. VI, pp. lii.'>7, 1795, 1978: "Les
chapitres des cath&lrales dans le Concile de Trente".)
The legislation of the Council of Trent (Sess. V, XXII,
XXIV) brought into uniformity the varying customs
regarding the appointment, tenure, duties, etc., of
canons; it also regulated their relations to the bishop
in diocesan administration, and wherever the Catholic
Church is now in full vigour the Tridentine constitu-
tions are observed. In countries like England, Ire-
land. Canada, Australia, and the United States, ec-
clesiastical government does not conform strictly to
the disciplinary decrees of the Council of Trent;
hence, though in such countries canons may be ap-
pointed, they have not the canonical rights or status
that belongs to a canon in the full sense of the word.
In England before the Reformation, many of the
chapters were composed of Benedictine monks or of
canons regular, but these were all secularized at the
Reformation. At present the Protestant canons in
the Church of England have little to do with the ruling
of the diocese, and their chief obligation is that of
residence.
As the canons regular became separated into differ- ent congregations they took their names from the locality in which they lived, or from the distinctive habit they wore, or from the one who led the way in remodelling their lives. Hence we have the White Canons of Premontre; the White Canons of St. John Lateran; the Black Canons of St. Augustine; the Canons of St. Victor at Paris and also at Marseilles (Mnratori. "Diss, de Canonicis". in "Antiq. Ital. medii aevi", V, 163; G. Pennoti, "Gen. hist, totius s. ord. clericor. canonicorum", Rome, 1624: Ginzel, " Die eanonische Lebensweise der Geistlichen", Ratis- bon, 1851).
Kinds of Canons. — Canons are divided in the fol- lowing manner: (1) Cathedral canons, who, attached to the cathedral church, form the senate or council of the bishop; collegiate canons, who perform the canoni- cal office in the church to which they are attached, luil are nut connected by reason of their office with tin government of the diocese. (2) Prebendary canons, who have a prebend or fixed income attached to the canonry; simple canons, who have no prebend. inons dt nunu ro, i. e. those of a church the num- ber of whose canons can neither be diminished nor increased; (4) supernumerary canons, who are as- sistants to the canons de mimero. The supernumerary canons are subdivided into three classes, viz. (a) those whom the Holy Father appoints and who will receive the first vacant prebend (expectant canons); (b) hon- orary canons (for these see the Const it lit ion of Leo XIII "Illud est proprium", 21 Jan., 1894, and the recent decree of the Congr. of Rites, 11 Nov., 1902), ) canons who an ■ added on the founding of a new
prebend. Formerly the chief distinction was thai
i le bet ween the secular and regular canons. Regular
canons, as forming the council of the bishop, arc now almost obsolete, and the special regulations by which
they are bound, their rights, privileges, and duties,
are treated fully in works on canon law. The special
status of canons in English-speaking countries will
be considered later.
Manner of appointment. — As only the Holy Father can erect a chapter, so also he alone has power to appoint the individual members of a chapter. This power may be, and in fact is delegated, and hence canons are appointed sometimes by the pope, some- times by the bishop or the capitular body, sometimes by others to whom the right has been given. By the rules of the Roman Chancery all prebends which become vacant in curia (i. e. when one who holds a benefice dies in Rome) are reserved to the Holy See, also the appointment to a vacant prebend the former holder of which has been deprived of it by an act of the Holy See, the appointment of the first dignitary of each chapter, and to all other prebends which become vacant during the months of January, February, April, May, July, August, October, and November. Beyond this the law does not expressly state in whom resides the power to collate to cathedral canonries and prebends, but the general opinion is that the right is invested simultaneously in the bishop and chapter; therefore for a valid election the majority of the canons must agree with the bishop when a new appointment is made. Exceptions are made in the following cases: if from the foundation of the church or benefice the appointment belongs to a particular person; if there is an immemorial custom to the con- trary; the appointment of the canon theologian and the canon penitentiary; the canons in France (Deshayes, Memento Juris Eccl., 3d ed., Paris, 1903). Appointment is practically always made by letter, and possession of a canonry cannot be obtained until the nominee presents his letter of appointment. The Council of Trent orders that on the day of taking pos- session, or at least within two months, the new canon is to make his profession of faith and also obedience to the bishop. This profession of faith is made to the bishop himself or, if he be absent, to the vicar-general or another delegated for this purpose. The profession of faith must be made in presence of the chapter, otherwise the new canon may be deprived of posses- sion and the prebendal fruits and daily distributions.
Qualifications. — The Council of Trent says (Sess. XXIII, XXIV) that since the dignitaries of the cathedral were instituted to preserve and increase ec- clesiastical discipline it is necessary that those who are appointed should excel in piety and be an example to others; likewise, as they are to assist the bishop in his office and work, only those should be appointed who are able to fulfil the canonical duties. The requisite qualifications are: legitimate birth, proper age, Sacred orders, fitting education, skill in Gregorian chant, known good character and repute. Moreover the council lays down that without these qualifica- tions the appointment is of no effect . Before the can- didate is admitted to his canonry not only the one who appoints but also the chapter has the right to examine and inquire whether the necessary qualities are present in the candidate.
Duties. — The canon as a member of the chapter owes the bishop reverence in three ways: by con- ceding him the first place; by giving him assistance; by affording him escort. Conceding the bishop the first place has reference to chapter choir-processions and other public .acts. The bishop also has the right to the assistance of two canons in the government of his diocese, and all canons arc bound to be present when he celebrates pontifically in the cathedral church; on such occasions I hey must meet him at an appointed place, not. however, more than 160 yards from the church; and .after the service they must conduct him to the church door. The obligation of a canon with regard to choir service consists in the public recitation of the Divine Office and being
