Irregularity for Sacred Orders is a perpetual canonical impediment, arising only from causes expressly established by law, that prevents the licit reception or exercise of sacred orders until dispensed.
Irregularity and simple impediment
Canon law distinguishes an irregularity, which is perpetual by its nature, from a simple impediment, which lasts while its stated cause remains. Both affect sacred orders, but neither should be confused with a judgment that a person is morally worthless or necessarily incapable of holiness. They protect the sacrament, the faithful, and the fitting exercise of ministry.[1]
No impediment is implied by analogy: only those enumerated in universal law produce the canonical effect. The law separately lists irregularities or impediments for receiving orders and those for exercising orders already received. An ordination conferred despite an irregularity can be valid while its reception or exercise is gravely illicit.[2]
For reception and for exercise
Irregularities for receiving orders include defined forms of mental illness rendering ministry unsuitable after expert consultation, apostasy, heresy or schism, an attempted marriage in specified circumstances, willful homicide or procured abortion with effective cooperation, grave self-mutilation or attempted suicide, and acts of orders reserved to bishops or priests by one who lacked that order or was prohibited from its exercise. The exact canonical elements—not colloquial labels—must be established.
A person already ordained is irregular for exercise after committing certain of those acts after ordination, and can also be impeded while unlawfully holding an office or administration forbidden to clerics or while suffering a condition addressed by the law. Different facts, dates, and forums can therefore change which canon applies.
Disclosure and dispensation
Candidates must disclose impediments to the ordinary or pastor before ordination. Those responsible for formation and the canonical investigation must pursue the truth with respect for reputation, privacy, medical competence, and the internal forum. Concealment can create grave harm, but rumor is not proof.
Competence to dispense depends on the irregularity and whether it is public or occult; certain cases are reserved to the Apostolic See. A petition ordinarily states all irregularities and their causes, while an occult homicide or abortion must include the number of delicts without names. A dispensation removes the canonical obstacle; it does not make false what happened or replace needed formation, treatment, justice, or reparation.
References
- 1.Code of Canon Law, Book VI — The revised penal law of the Latin Church
- 2.Code of Canon Law, canons 1024–1054 — Requirements, irregularities, impediments, and records for sacred ordination