Is the Priest allowed to leave the sanctuary for the sign of peace?

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future_deacon

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Is the Priest allowed to leave the sanctuary for the sign of peace? Fairly self-explanatory.

I see it a lot now. Is this practice permitted? Please make reference to a document or official declaration if possible.
 
The GIRM is a good place to start:
  1. Then the Priest, with hands extended, says aloud the prayer Domine Iesu Christe, qui dixisti (Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles) and when it is concluded, extending and then joining his hands, he announces the greeting of peace, facing the people and saying, The peace of the Lord be with you always. The people reply, And with your spirit. After this, if appropriate, the Priest adds, Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
The Priest may give the Sign of Peace to the ministers but always remains within the sanctuary, so that the celebration is not disrupted. In the Dioceses of the United States of America, for a good reason, on special occasions (for example, in the case of a funeral, a wedding, or when civic leaders are present), the Priest may offer the Sign of Peace to a small number of the faithful near the sanctuary. According to what is decided by the Conference of Bishops, all express to one another peace, communion, and charity. While the Sign of Peace is being given, it is permissible to say, The peace of the Lord be with you always, to which the reply is Amen.
 
It is important for the priests to adhere to all prescribed rites of the Church, but as far as any criticisms regarding deviations from these prescriptions, it is my opinion to leave that aspect of the faith to other priests, especially superior priests and, even more especially, bishops. Believe it or not, priests are not actually called to cater to us, though they may do so. Priests take a vow of obedience to their bishops and answer only to them. So I typically let that be the case.
 
future_deacon said:
Is the Priest allowed to leave the sanctuary for the sign of peace? Fairly self-explanatory.

I see it a lot now. Is this practice permitted? Please make reference to a document or official declaration if possible.
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From the GIRM:
  1. Then the priest, with hands extended, says aloud the prayer, Domine Iesu Christe, qui dixisti (Lord Jesus Christ, you said). After this prayer is concluded, extending and then joining his hands, he gives the greeting of peace while facing the people and saying, Pax Domini sit simper vobiscum (The peace of the Lord be with you always). The people answer, Et cum spiritu tuo (And also with you). Afterwards, when appropriate, the priest adds, Offerte vobis pacem (Let us offer each other the sign of peace).
The priest may give the sign of peace to the ministers but always remains within the sanctuary, so as not to disturb the celebration. In the dioceses of the United States of America, for a good reason, on special occasions (for example, in the case of a funeral, a wedding, or when civic leaders are present) the priest may offer the sign of peace to a few of the faithful near the sanctuary…
 
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