Communal Right In Perfect Theocratic Society
Chapter 1
The classification and the nature of the rights common to all the faithful
873. The rights proper to all the faithful composing the Church can be divided into three classes:
1. those concerned with admission to the society;
2. those concerned with members already admitted amongst the faithful;
3. accessory rights open to the faithful as members of the human race, but
occasioned by the Church to which they belong.
874. The nature of these rights can be sufficiently described in the following general terms. The right to belong to the Church, and the rights possessed by those already aggregated as members of the faithful, are individual, inalienable, and not subject to any kind of compromise. Discussion about them in society cannot be decided by majority vote, nor can they be diminished or dissolved by unanimous agreement.(182) Accessory rights can be changed, but only by the faithful possessing them, that is, the particular community or body holding them, in accord with the positive laws of the Church. They cannot be left to the discretion of a society having members not belonging to the Church (cf. USR, 266, 292), or not belonging to the body which holds the rights. This body, however, has to remain subordinate to legitimate superiors.
Notes
(182) Cf. SP, 219-220.