I.   Introductory provisions

A Temple is a sacred structure reserved for ceremonies and rites to one or more deities of a particular Religion or Cult. A Temple is also believed to be literally the permanent or temporary dwelling place or residence of these same deities.

The word “Temple” is equivalent to the word Church as well as the word Synagogue and the word Mosque.

No Temple may be built without the express written consent of the competent authority of a particular Religion or Cult.

It is considered an essential right of membership that a valid member of a particular Religion or Cult has the right of entry or leave any Temple of their faith, especially in the public exercise of divine worship.

It is considered a general courtesy and openness that the officials of a particular Religion or Cult permit non-Members of their faith to enter or leave any Temple on the provision that respect and positive custom as demanded is adhered.

Entry to a Temple is to be free and gratuitous during the time of sacred celebrations.

No person may be denied the right to leave a Temple, nor to be obstructed from doing so if this be their free will, even if such a demand be made during the process of a particular religious ceremony.

In the building and repair of Temples, the principles and norms of the liturgy and of sacred art are to be observed, after the advice of experts has been taken into account.

The ruins of Temples, otherwise damaged or destroyed from past acts, are to be honored and respected as if the Temple remained operational and functional.

The deliberate damage or destruction of a Temple of a Religion or Cult is expressly forbidden, unless a proscribed Cult in accordance with these Canons.

The deliberate removal of artifacts and elements from the ruins of a Temple is expressly forbidden and any such artifacts must be returned to the competent custodians of such a Temple. However, if no competent custodian exists and such artifacts are unlikely to be properly preserved, then the temporary custody of such artifacts are permitted only until competent custodianship is restored.

The restoration and rebuilding of ancient Temples of special significance is to be encouraged and permitted on the condition that such restoration and rebuilding honor the previous form of the Temple prior to its destruction.

After construction has been completed properly, a new Temple is to be dedicated or at least blessed as soon as possible; the laws of the sacred liturgy are to be observed.

Each Temple is to have its own title which cannot be changed after the church has been dedicated.

In a Temple that has legitimately been dedicated or blessed, all acts of divine worship can be performed, without prejudice to parochial rights.

All those responsible are to take care that in Temples such cleanliness and beauty are preserved as befit and that whatever is inappropriate to the holiness of the place is excluded.

If a Temple cannot be used in any way for divine worship and there is no possibility of repairing it, a competent authority can relegate it to profane but not sordid use.