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

In general, proper wording for gifts and bequests of either real or personal property should be: Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, a Missouri Not-For-Profit Corporation. NOTE: If a donor wishes the gift to benefit a particular parish, school, or purpose, the following should be added after the word "corporation:" For The Exclusive Use and Benefit of [a particular parish, school, purpose, etc.]. Canon Law requires that the wishes of the donor in all instances be observed by the Diocese. Civil law requires the title be in the name of the Diocesan Corporation. The wording is equally applicable to gifts of real or personal property. If a piece of real property is erroneously titled in the name of a parish or other church organization rather than as indicated above, considerable legal work and legal expenses may well result.

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