Office of Development and Properties at 601 S. Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806 US - Legal Issues

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau is a Missouri Not-For-Profit Corporation, and, among other things, owns the legal title to all of the real estate of the Diocese, such as the parish churches, schools or other entities or institutions making up the Diocese. A parish is not a legal entity for civil law purposes and, therefore, cannot enter into a legally binding contract. The Bishop is the President of the Corporation, and he or other authorized officers are the only persons who can enter into contracts which are binding on behalf of the Corporation. Pastors and other parish personnel, not legally officers of the Corporation, cannot act on the Corporation's behalf by signing contracts or entering upon other legal undertakings on its behalf.

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