Constitution

When a vicar provincial is to be appointed by the prior provincial, the brothers, who, in accordance with n. 478, would have active voice in the election, shall first be consulted (see Appendix n. 25).

What has been set out in nn. 477-481 for the election of a regional prior applies also, mutatis mutandis, for the election of a vicar provincial (see n. 389).

1. For the confirmation or cassation of the election of a regional prior and its acceptance, nn. 465-473 shall be observed.
2. The right of appointing a regional prior devolves upon the prior provincial without prejudice to n. 373, 1:
   1. when at the time of the vacancy in the office of regional prior, the vicariate does not have the conditions described in n. 384; then, however, nn. 483 and 484 must be observed in the appointment of a vicar;
   2. when all the voters have renounced their voice and have not been reinstated by the prior provincial; 
   3. when for any reason whatsoever a regional prior has not been elected or postulated within six months of the vacancy becoming known;
   4. when in the course of the election there have been seven inconclusive ballots (see n. 480, § II, 2),
   5. when the brothers elect the same brother again after the first election has been cassated, unless the sole reason for the cassation of that election was defect of form and not the person elected;
   6. when there have been two or, at most, three elections confirmed by the prior provincial but not accepted by those elected, then after the second election the prior provincial may and after a third, must, appoint a regional prior.
       

For the election of delegates attending a general chapter of diffinitors or priors provincial, all the brothers of the houses under the immediate jurisdiction of the Master of the Order are to be grouped together by the general council to constitute elective colleges (according to whether one or two delegates for each chapter have to be elected). Each of these colleges should have at least twenty-five voters. The general council shall lay down how this election is to be conducted.

For the election of delegates attending a general chapter of diffinitors or priors provincial, all the brothers of the houses convents under the immediate jurisdiction of the Master of the Order are to be grouped together by the general council to constitute elective colleges (according to whether one or two delegates for each chapter have to be elected). Each of these colleges should have at least twenty-five voters. The general council shall lay down how this election is to be conducted.

Each province which has at least twenty-five brothers assigned in vicariates or houses of the province outside the boundaries of the province has the right to send one delegate elected from and by those brothers according to the statute of the province to a general chapter either of diffinitors or priors provincial. An arrangement shall be made by the Master of the Order with his council so that half of the provinces shall be represented in one chapter and the other half in the next.

Each province which has at least twenty-five brothers assigned in convents of the vicariates or convents of the province outside the boundaries of the province has the right to send one delegate elected from and by those brothers according to the statute of the province to a general chapter either of diffinitors or priors provincial. An arrangement shall be made by the Master of the Order with his council so that half of the provinces shall be represented in one chapter and the other half in the next.

The following are assembled and have votes in a general chapter of priors provincial:

1. the Master of the Order;
2. ex-Masters of the Order;
3. each prior provincial;
4. each vice-provincial and vicar general;
5. delegates of the vicariates chosen from regional priors and vicars provincial in accordance with n. 409-bis;
6. one delegate from among the brothers assigned under the immediate jurisdiction of the Master of the Order if the total is less than one hundred, two if the total is one hundred or more, elected in accordance with n. 409-ter.

The following are assembled and have votes in a general chapter of priors provincial:

1. the Master of the Order;
2. ex-Masters of the Order;
3. each prior provincial;
4. each vice-provincial and vicar general; 
   5. delegates of the vicariates chosen from vicars provincial in accordance with n. 409-bis;
   6. one delegate from among the brothers assigned under the immediate jurisdiction of the Master of the Order if the total is less than one hundred, two if the total is one hundred or more, elected in accordance with n. 409-ter.

The following are assembled and have votes in a general chapter of diffinitors:

1. the Master of the Order;
2. ex-Masters of the Order;
3. diffinitors elected by each province;
4. delegates elected by each vice-province and general vicariate;
   5. delegates of other vicariates, chosen in accordance with n. 409-bis, but excluding regional priors and vicars provincial;
   6. one delegate from among the brothers assigned to houses under the immediate jurisdiction of the Master of the Order if the total is less than one hundred, two if the total is one hundred or more, elected in accordance with n. 409-ter.