Acta Francisci Pp. 177

§ 2. The same certifying ecclesiastical authority shall immediately in- form the competent office of the State of Palestine whenever the need for the service of the Church of persons currently in possession of the same permits referred to in § 1 has ceased for whatever rea- son, within the period for which the permits are valid.

Article 11

§ 1. Priests, deacons who are destined for the priesthood, students for the priesthood enrolled in a major seminary, members and novices in Catholic religious institutes, are exempt from any form of compul- sory personal service, including military service.

§ 2. Certification of the status of the persons comprised in the categories listed in § 1 above shall be made in accordance with Art. 6 § 1 above. The certifying authority assumes the obligation of informing imme- diately the competent office of the State of Palestine of any case of loss of a status conferring the exemption.

Article 12

§ 1. In the event of the application of the Criminal Code, the same con- sideration shall be accorded to ecclesiastical office holders as is ac- corded under Palestinian law to the holders of certain public offices, including in the matter of authority to decide to prosecute and in the matter of holding preliminary hearings prior to a decision to prose- cute by the Attorney-General or another state prosecutor.

§ 2. The relevant Palestinian Authorities shall notify the competent ec- clesiastical authority of the arrest or detention, by whatever name and under whatever law, of any person included in any of the cate- gories listed in § 1 above.

§ 3. While under arrest or in detention, persons belonging to one or an- other of the categories listed in § 1 above, shall be treated with the respect due to their respective status or dignity, in particular when not yet finally convicted of any crime.

§ 4. Catholic Ecclesiastical and Religious Personnel shall not be searched without the appropriate permits in accordance with the law and in- forming the Church's competent authority. Such search shall be con- ducted with due regard to the religious dignity of the personnel.