Hi, The local Catholic College of our University has removed to a new location. The old Chapel was closed and there was a closing ceremony and a procession. However, I inquired with the Rector if there was a requirment for a formal liturgical Rite of "deConsecration". The reply is that he doesn't remember seeing this in the "Pontificale" and it is an interesting question. Can you help. This Chapel was located in the old college building for many years and Mass was celebrated regularly during the school year and the Blessed Sacrament was kept there year round. The building is now up for lease and visitors visit the building with the Realtor. Is this holy still ground if the blessed scrament is no longer in repose. Is a formal Rite required available.

in Christ

Bill

There is node-consecration rite. Canon Law (c.1212) provides that, "Sacred places lose their dedication or blessing if they suffer major destruction or if they have been permanently given over to profane uses, de facto or through a decree of the competent ordinary."

Thus, either by a decree of the bishop or the very sale and secular use of the church it is removed from sacred use. The law also provides that the secular use must not be a sordid one.

Canon 1222
1. If a church can in no way be employed for divine worship and it is impossible to repair it, it can be relegated to profane but not sordid use by the diocesan bishop.
2. Where other serious reasons suggest that a church no longer be used for divine worship the diocesan bishop, after hearing the presbyteral council, can relegate it to profane but not sordid use with the consent of those who legitimately claim rights regarding the church and as long as the good of souls is not thereby impaired.

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