Ordination

A subprior ‘in capite’ may not make notable changes in the convent and is obliged to present a report on his administration to the new prior in the presence of the council.

In the absence of the prior, the subprior may preside over the conventual chapter and council and may also appoint a vicar for a short time.

1. A subprior is to be appointed by the prior within three months after he accepts the office of prior, according to n. 310, 2. If he is not appointed within this period, the right of appointing him reverts to the prior provincial. He can be reappointed to a second term immediately but not to a third term without the consent of the prior provincial.
2. The subprior remains in office until the newly elected prior appoints a subprior in accordance with § I.
3. If, for some other reason, the subprior ceases to hold office, the prior must appoint a new subprior within a month; otherwise the right of appointing him reverts to the prior provincial.

The council shall meet at least once a month and shall conduct its business according to the rules laid down above for the conventual chapter, nn. 312 and 313 (cf. appendicem n. 14-bis).

1. Except in cases expressly indicated in the law, the votes of the council are decisive and not merely consultative.
2. In more urgent cases, when more members cannot be present, it suffices that two councillors and the president be present.
3. The bursar shall always be called to take part in council deliberations without, however, having a vote unless he is already a member of the council.
4. Other officials of the convent shall be called to the council to be heard when the matters pertaining to their duties are to be dealt with.

The secretary of the council is elected by the council itself in a single ballot; if he is not a member of the council, he has no vote. In a book reserved for the purpose, he shall record the discussions and the resolutions of the council.

In a convent where there are eight brothers or fewer, with voting rights, the prior provincial may, at the request of the conventual chapter, allow the council of such a convent to be identical with the chapter.

1. In reaching decisions a simple majority of votes is sufficient, not counting abstentions.
2. If the votes are tied, the chairman can postpone the decision for a short time before he settles the matter without prejudice to CCL 127, § I.
3. Ordinarily matters shall be decided by secret vote.

1. The chapter shall be held several times a year, and only the president has the right to convene it.
2. The convening of the chapter must always be done publicly and in writing.
3. Before the chapter, capitulars may propose to the president matters to be discussed; if one-third of the chapter proposes some matter, the president is obliged to present it for discussion. During the chapter, no business may be proposed unless the president permits or invites it.
4. To avoid having to make an unexpected decision at a chapter, the voters should be informed about all matters for discussion, together and individually, at least one or two days before the chapter meets, provided there is no danger in delay.
5. When there is a question of admission to profession, at least half of those who have voting rights and reside habitually in the convent must always be present.
6. The president has power to determine what must be kept secret.

1. It is also for the chapter:
   1. to organise community life in so far as our laws permit in matters which in the judgement of the provincial chapter are to be determined by the convent;
   2. to deal with matters to do with the apostolate and the temporal administration of the convent which the chair regards as particularly important, without prejudice to the rights of the prior provincial.
2. In order that the common life may be at the service of the apostolate and be enriched by the work of the brothers, every convent should develop its own program or project of apostolic life. The program, having been prepared and reviewed by all, must be approved by the prior provincial. In this way individual activity which is not permitted by the community nor by the prior provincial will be eliminated.
3. The provincial chapter shall decide what matters are to be determined by a decisive vote in the conventual chapter.