Canon law- The obligations and rights of catholics

With just a quick overview of this statements the authoritarian structure of the Catholic Church becomes obvious not only in its establishment of power but in its rules of behavior the followers must keep. It is a cult in full expression. This is where we were coming from! All the underlying codes of behavior stated here were already in place. TITLE I : THE OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS OF ALL CHRIST'S FAITHFUL (Cann. 208 - 223) Can. 208 Flowing from their rebirth in Christ, there is a genuine equality of dignity and action among all of Christ'sfaithful. Because of this equality they all contribute, each according to his or her own condition and office, to thebuilding up of the Body of Christ. Can. 209 §1 Christ's faithful are bound to preserve their communion with the Church at all times, even in theirexternal actions. §2 They are to carry out with great diligence their responsibilities towards both the universal Church and theparticular Church to which by law they belong. Can. 210 All Christ's faithful, each according to his or her own condition, must make a wholehearted effort to lead aholy life, and to promote the growth of the Church and its continual sanctification. Can. 211 All Christ's faithful have the obligation and the right to strive so that the divine message of salvation maymore and more reach all people of all times and all places. Can. 212 §1 Christ's faithful, conscious of their own responsibility, are bound to show christian obedience to what the sacred Pastors, who represent Christ, declare as teachers of the faith and prescribe as rulers of the Church. §2 Christ's faithful are at liberty to make known their needs, especially their spiritual needs, and their wishes to thePastors of the Church. §3 They have the right, indeed at times the duty, in keeping with their knowledge, competence and position, tomanifest to the sacred Pastors their views on matters which concern the good of the Church. They have the right also to make their views known to others of Christ's faithful, but in doing so they must always respect the integrity of faithand morals, show due reverence to the Pastors and take into account both the common good and the dignity ofindividuals. Can. 213 Christ's faithful have the right to be assisted by their Pastors from the spiritual riches of the Church,especially by the word of God and the sacraments. Can. 214 Christ's faithful have the right to worship God according to the provisions of their own rite approved by thelawful Pastors of the Church; they also have the right to follow their own form of spiritual life, provided it is in accordwith Church teaching. Can. 215 Christ's faithful may freely establish and direct associations which serve charitable or pious purposes or which foster the christian vocation in the world, and they may hold meetings to pursue these purposes by commoneffort. Can. 216 Since they share the Church's mission, all Christ's faithful have the right to promote and support apostolicaction, by their own initiative, undertaken according to their state and condition. No initiative, however, can lay claimto the title 'catholic' without the consent of the competent ecclesiastical authority. Can. 217 Since Christ's faithful are called by baptism to lead a life in harmony with the gospel teaching, they have theright to a christian education, which genuinely teaches them to strive for the maturity of the human person and at the same time to know and live the mystery of salvation. Can. 218 Those who are engaged in fields of sacred study have a just freedom to research matters in which they areexpert and to express themselves prudently concerning them, with due allegiance to the magisterium of the Church. Can. 219 All Christ's faithful have the right to immunity from any kind of coercion in choosing a state in life. Can. 220 No one may unlawfully harm the good reputation which a person enjoys, or violate the right of everyperson to protect his or her privacy. Can. 221 §1 Christ's faithful may lawfully vindicate and defend the rights they enjoy in the Church, before thecompetent ecclesiastical forum in accordance with the law. §2 If any members of Christ's faithful are summoned to trial by the competent authority, they have the right to bejudged according to the provisions of the law, to be applied with equity. §3 Christ's faithful have the right that no canonical penalties be inflicted upon them except in accordance with thelaw. Can. 222 §1 Christ's faithful have the obligation to provide for the needs of the Church, so that the Church hasavailable to it those things which are necessary for divine worship, for apostolic and charitable work and for theworthy support of its ministers. §2 They are also obliged to promote social justice and, mindful of the Lord's precept, to help the poor from their ownresources. Can. 223 §1 In exercising their rights, Christ's faithful, both individually and in associations, must take account of thecommon good of the Church, as well as the rights of others and their own duties to others. §2 Ecclesiastical authority is entitled to regulate, in view of the common good, the exercise of rights which are properto Christ's faithful.