This is a translation of the

Loi (1842) sur les publications dans les Eglises

(Chapter 15.600)

as in force on 1 January 2019

This is not an authoritative translation of the Law. Whilst it is believed to be correct, no warranty is given that it is free of errors or omissions or that it is an accurate translation of the French text. Accordingly, no liability is accepted for any loss arising from its use.

Law (1842) on church notices

THE STATES took into consideration an Act of Parliament passed in the first year of the Reign of Her Majesty Victoria,[1] regarding the various notices and announcements which had customarily been made on Sundays in Churches during Divine Service, and at the door of the Church at the conclusion of Divine Service; and with a view to conforming to the said Act they resolved, subject to the sanction of Her Most Excellent Majesty in Council, to enact the following Law: –

1

With effect from the 1^st day of May 1842, it shall be forbidden to publish in Churches or in Cemeteries, on Sundays, any announcement or public notice for the holding of Parish Assemblies, Public Elections, or for any other civil or criminal matter.

2

Provided that nothing in this Law[2] shall be construed in such a way as to prevent the officiating Rector or Minister from publishing banns or announcements of marriage, or from giving notice of the celebration of any part of Divine Service, or from declaring to the people, in conformity with the Rules established in the Liturgy, what holy days or fasting days are to be observed in the week, or from publishing what is prescribed by the Rules of the Liturgy, or enjoined by His Majesty, or by the Dean, Ordinary of this Island.

3

All announcements and documents which by law or usage had to be published on Sundays in Church during or after Divine Service, or in Cemeteries at the conclusion of Divine Service, shall be displayed, on the Sunday when notice is required to be given, in a grated box,[3] near to the main gate of the Cemetery; such box to be locked, and the Rector and the Connétable of the Parish each to have a key.  The notice so displayed shall have the same effect, and shall in all respects be valid as publication in accordance with previous usage, provided that the document so displayed is placed in the said box before 11 o’clock in the morning and remains there until at least 2 o’clock in the afternoon.

4

Each Connétable must cause to be suitably placed and sealed in the wall of the Cemetery of his or her Parish, near to the main gate, a grated box,[4] for the posting of public notices, as provided for by the preceding Article; and must cause the same to be repaired, whenever necessary, at the cost of his or her Parish.

5

A copy of notices of Parish Assemblies, signed by the Rector, officiating Vicar, or the Connétable, shall remain displayed in the said box until the holding of the Assembly; it shall be the duty of the Reader[5] of the Parish to place the copy in the box and to ensure that this Article is complied with, but the holding of the Assembly shall not be deemed unlawful where the copy [of the notice] has not been kept displayed in this way.

6

The Prévôts[6] may cause to be placed by the Reader without charge in the said box announcements and other documents published by them in the past, and shall make a record of such publication as was always the case.

7

The Rector and the Reader shall give a record respectively of the publication or posting of documents the publication of which has been their responsibility in the past.

8

Any person who tears down or effaces any document, inscription, or notice displayed in the said box, or who breaks open, removes, or damages the said box in any manner shall be liable to a fine or to imprisonment, at the discretion of the court.

9

Fines imposed under the present Law shall be applied as follows: half for the benefit of His Majesty, and half for the benefit of the poor of the Parish where the offence was committed.