THE 1st COUNCIL
 
of  LYONS (1245) 
 

 Nicaea II

1245-1245- Concilium Lugdunense I - Documenta


 

 

 

 

[THE GENERAL and ECUMENICAL COUNCIL of the CATHOLIC CHURCH - THE FIRST COUNCIL of LYONS, 1245]

Concilia oecumenica et generalia Ecclesiae catholicae - Concilium Lugdunense I a. 1245

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BULL DEPOSING THE EMPEROR FREDERICK II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Innocent [1], bishop, servant of the servants of God, in the presence of the holy council, for an everlasting record.

Innocentius episcopus servus servorum Dei sacro praesente concilio ad rei memoriam sempiternam.

Raised, though unworthy, to the highest point of the apostolic dignity, by the will of the divine majesty, we ought to exercise a watchful, diligent and wise care of all Christians, to examine with close attention the merits of individuals and to weigh them in the balance of prudent deliberation, so that we may raise by suitable favours those whom a rigorous and just examination shows to be worthy, and depress the guilty with due penalties, weighing always the merit and the reward in a fair scale, repaying to each the amount of penalty or favour according to the nature of his work. Indeed since the terrible conflict of war has afflicted some countries of the christian world for a long time, as we desired with our whole heart the peace and tranquillity of the holy church of God and of all the christian people in general, we thought that we should send special ambassadors, men of great authority, to [2] the secular prince who was the special cause of this discord and suffering. He was the man whom our predecessor of happy memory, Pope Gregory [3], had bound by anathema because of his excesses. The ambassadors we sent, men eager for his salvation, were our venerable brethren Peter of Albano [4], at that time bishop of Rouen, William of Sabina [5], at that time bishop of Modena, and our beloved son William [6], cardinal-priest of the basilica of the Twelve Apostles and at that time abbot of Saint Facundus. Through them we proposed to him, because we and our brethren desired to have peace with him and with all people, as far as lay in our power, that we were ready to grant peace and tranquillity to him and also to the rest of the whole world.

Ad apostolicae dignitatis apicem licet indigni dignatione divinae maiestatis assumpti, omnium christianorum curam vigili sedula que solertia gerere ac intimae considerationis oculo singulorum discernere merita et providae deliberationis statera librare debemus, ut quos iusti vigor examinis dignos ostenderit, congruis attollamus favoribus, quos autem reos poenis debitis deprimamus, appendentes semper meritum et praemium aequa lance, retribuendo cuique iuxta qualitatem operis, poenae vel gratiae quantitatem. Sane cum dira guerrarum commotio nonnullas professionis christianae provincias diutius afflixisset, nos toto cupientes mentis affectu tranquillitatem et pacem ecclesiae sanctae Dei ac generaliter cuncto populo christiano, ad praecipuum principem saecularem, huiusmodi dissensionis et tribulationis actorem, a felicis recordationis Gregorio papa praedecessore nostro pro suis excessibus anathematis vinculo innodatum, speciales nuntios, magnae auctoritatis viros, videlicet venerabiles fratres Petrum Albanensem, tunc Rothomagensem archiepiscopum, et Guillelmum Sabinensem, tunc quondam Mutinensem, episcopos ac dilectum filium nostrum Guillelmum basilicae Duodecim apostolorum presbyterum cardinalem, tunc abbatem sancti Facundi, qui salutem zelabantur ipsius, duximus destinandos, facientes sibi proponi per ipsos, quod nos et fratres nostri quantum in nobis erat pacem per omnia se cum habere necnon cum omnibus hominibus optabamus, parati sibi pacem et tranquillitatem dare ac mundo etiam universo.

Because the restitution of the prelates, clerics and all others whom he kept in captivity, and of all both clerics and laymen whom he had taken in the galleys[7], could especially lead the way to peace, we asked and begged him through our said ambassadors to set these prisoners free. This both he and his envoys had promised before we had been called to the apostolic office. Further we informed him that our ambassadors were ready on our behalf to hear and treat of peace, and even of satisfaction, should the emperor be ready to make it with regard to all those things for which he had incurred excommunication; and besides to offer him that if the church had injured him in anything contrary to justice-though it did not believe it had done so -- it was ready to put it to rights and restore the proper position. If he said that he had harmed the church in nothing unjustly, or that we had harmed him contrary to justice, we were ready to call the kings, prelates and princes, both ecclesiastical and lay, to some safe place where either by themselves or by official representatives they might come together, and that the church was ready on the advice of the council to satisfy him if in anything it had harmed him, and to recall the sentence of excommunication if it had been brought unjustly against him, and with all clemency and mercy, in so far as it could be done without offence to God and its own honour, to receive satisfaction from him for the injuries and wrongs done to the church itself and its members through him.

Et quia praelatorum, clericorum omnium que aliorum, quos detinebat captivos, et omnium tam clericorum quam laicorum, quos coeperat in galeis, restitutio poterat esse pacis plurimum inductiva, eum ut illos restitueret, cum hoc idem tam ipse quam sui nuntii, antequam ad apostolatus vocati essemus officium, promisissent, rogari et peti ab ipso fecimus per eosdem ac proponi insuper, quod iidem parati pro nobis erant audire et tractare pacem ac etiam audire satisfactionem, quam facere vellet princeps de omnibus, pro quibus vinculo erat excommunicationis astrictus, et offerri praeterea, quod si ecclesia eum in aliquo contra debitum laeserat, quod non credebat, parata erat corrigere ac in statum debitum reformare. Et si diceret ipse, quod in nullo contra iustitiam laeserat ecclesiam vel quod nos eum contra iustitiam laesissemus, parati eramus vocare reges, praelatos et principes tam ecclesiasticos quam saeculares ad aliquem tutum locum, ubi per se vel solemnes nuntios convenirent, erat que parata ecclesia de consilio concilii sibi satisfacere, si eum laesisset in aliquo, ac revocare sententiam, si quam contra ipsum iniuste tulisset, et cum omni mansuetudine ac misericordia, quantum cum Deo et honore suo fieri poterat, recipere de iniuriis et offensis ipsi ecclesiae suis que per eum irrogatis gatis satisfactionem ab ipso.

The church also wished to secure peace for his friends and supporters and the enjoyment of full security, so that for this reason they should never incur any danger. But though in our relations with him, for the sake of peace, we have always taken care to rely on paternal admonitions and gentle entreaty, yet he, following the hardness of Pharaoh and blocking his ears like an asp, with proud obstinacy and obstinate pride has despised such prayers and admonitions. Furthermore on the Maundy Thursday previous to that which has just passed, in our presence and that of our brother cardinals, and in the presence of our dear son in Christ, the illustrious emperor of Constantinople [8], and of a considerable gathering of prelates, before the senate and people of Rome and a very large number of others, who on that day because of its solemnity had come to the apostolic see from different parts of the world, he guaranteed on oath, through the noble count Raymond of Toulouse, and Masters Peter de Vinea and Thaddaeus of Suessa, judges of his court, his envoys and proctors who had in this matter a general commission, that he would keep our commands and those of the church. However afterwards he did not fulfil what he had sworn. Indeed it is likely enough that he took the oath, as can be clearly gathered from his following actions, with the express intention of mocking rather than obeying us and the church, since after more than a year he could not be reconciled to the bosom of the church, nor did he trouble to make satisfaction for the losses and injuries he had caused it, even though he was asked to do this. For this reason, as we are unable without giving offence to Christ to bear any longer his wickedness, we are compelled, urged on by our conscience, justly to punish him.

Volebat etiam ecclesia omnes amicos suos sibi que adhaerentes in pace ponere plena que securitate gaudere, ut numquam hac occasione possent aliquod subire discrimen. Sed licet sic apud eum pro pace paternis monitis et precum insistere curaverimus lenitate, idem tamen Pharaonis imitatus duritiam et obturans more aspidis aures suas, huiusmodi preces et monita elata obstinatione ac obstinata elatione despexit. Et licet processu temporis in die coenae Domini proximo nuper praeterita praecedente coram nobis et fratribus nostris, praesentibus carissimo in Christo filio nostro Constantinopolitano imperatore illustri, coetu quoque non modico praelatorum, senatoribus populo que Romano et maxima multitudine aliorum, qui eodem die propter solemnitatem ipsius de diversis mundi partibus ad apostolicam sedem convenerant, quod staret nostris et ecclesiae mandatis per nobilem virum Raymundum comitem Tholosanum ac magistros Petrum de Vinea et Tadeum de Suessa curiae suae iudices, nuntios et procuratores suos speciale super hoc ab ipso mandatum habentes, praestiterit iuramentum, postmodum tamen quod iuraverat non implevit. Quin immo ea intentione ipsum praestitisse probabiliter creditur, sicut ex factis sequentibus colligitur evidenter, ut eidem ecclesiae ac nobis illuderet potius quam pareret, cum anno et amplius iam elapso nec ad ipsius ecclesiae graemium revocari potuerit nec sibi de illatis ei damnis et iniuriis curaverit satisfacere, licet super hoc exstiterit requisitus. Propter quod non valentes absque gravi Christi offensa eius iniquitates amplius tolerare, cogimur urgente nos conscientia iuste animadvertere in eundem.

To say nothing about his other crimes, he has committed four of the greatest gravity, which cannot be hidden by evasion. For, he has often failed to keep his oath; he deliberately broke the peace previously established between the church and the empire; he committed a sacrilege by causing the arrest of cardinals of the holy Roman church and of prelates and clerics of other churches, both religious and secular, who were coming to the council which our predecessor had decided to summon; he is also suspect of heresy, by proofs which are not light or doubtful but clear and inescapable.

Et ut ad praesens de ceteris eius sceleribus taceamus, quatuor gravissima, quae nulla possunt celari tergiversatione, commisit. Deieravit enim multotiens; pacem quondam inter ecclesiam et imperium reformatam temere violavit; perpetravit etiam sacrilegium, capi faciens cardinales sanctae Romanae ecclesiae ac aliarum ecclesiarum praelatos et clericos, religiosos et saeculares, venientes ad concilium quod idem praedecessor duxerat convocandum; de haeresi quoque non dubiis et levibus sed difficilibus et evidentibus argumentis suspectus habetur.

It is clear that he has often been guilty of perjury. For, once when he was staying in Sicily, before he had been elected to the dignity of emperor, in the presence of Gregory of happy memory, cardinal deacon of Saint Theodore [9] and legate of the apostolic see, he took an oath of loyalty to our predecessor Pope Innocent[10] of happy memory and his successors and the Roman church, in return for the grant of the kingdom of Sicily made to him by this same church. Likewise, as is said, after he had been elected to that same dignity and had come to Rome, in the presence of Innocent and his brother cardinals and before many others, he renewed that oath, making his pledge of hommage in the pope’s hands. Then, when he was in Germany he swore to the same Innocent, and on his death to our predecessor Pope Honorius [11] of happy memory and his successors and the Roman church itself, in the presence of the princes and nobles of the empire, to preserve as far as was in his power, the honours, rights and possessions of the Roman church, and loyally to protect them, and without difficulty to see to the restoration of whatever came into his hands, expressly naming the said possessions in the oath: afterwards he confirmed this when he had gained the imperial crown. But he has deliberately broken these three oaths, not without the brand of treachery and the charge of treason. For against our predecessor Gregory and his brother cardinals, he has dared to send threatening letters to these cardinals, and in many ways to slander Gregory before his brother cardinals, as is clear from the letters which he then sent to them, and almost throughout the whole world, as it is said, he has presumed to defame him.

Plura siquidem eum commisisse periuria satis patet. Nam olim cum in Siciliae partibus morabatur, priusquam esset ad imperii dignitatem electus, coram bonae memoriae Gregorium sancti Theodori diacono cardinali, apostolicae sedis legato, felicis recordationis Innocentio papae praedecessori nostro et successoribus eius ecclesiae que Romanae, pro concessione regni Siciliae ab eadem ecclesia sibi facta, fidelitatis praestitit iuramentum et, sicut dicitur, illud idem, postquam ad eandem dignitatem electus exstitit et venit ad Urbem, coram eodem Innocentio suis que fratribus, aliis multis praesentibus, ligium hominium in eius faciens manibus, innovavit. Deinde cum in Alamannia esset, eidem Innocentio et, ipso defuncto, bonae memoriae Honorio papae praedecessori nostro et eius successoribus ac ipsi ecclesiae Romanae, praesentibus imperii principibus atque nobilibus, iuravit honores, iura et possessiones Romanae ecclesiae pro posse suo servare ac protegere bona fide, et quod quaecumque ad manus suas devenirent, sine difficultate restituere procuraret, nominatis expresse dictis possessionibus in huiusmodi iuramento; quod postmodum confirmavit, coronam imperii iam adeptus. Sed horum trium iuramentorum temerarius exstitit violator non sine proditionis nota et laesae crimine maiestatis. Nam contra praefatum praedecessorem Gregorium et fratres suos comminatorias litteras eisdem fratribus destinare ac dictum Gregorium apud fratres ipsos, sicut apparet per litteras ab eo tunc directas eisdem, et etiam, prout fertur, per universum fere orbem terrarum multipliciter diffamare praesumpsit.

He also personally caused the arrest of our venerable brother Otto [12], bishop of Porto, at that time cardinal deacon of Saint Nicholas in Carcere Tulliano, and James of happy memory, bishop of Palestrina [13], legates of the apostolic see, noble and important members of the Roman church. He had them stripped of all their goods, and after more than once being led shamefully through different places, committed to prison. Furthermore this privilege which our lord Jesus Christ handed to Peter and in him to his successors, namely, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven, in which assuredly consists the authority and power of the Roman church, he did his best to diminish or take away from the church itself, writing that he did not fear Pope Gregory’s condemnations. For, not only by despising the keys of the church he did not observe the sentence of excommunication pronounced against him, but also by himself and his officials he prevented others from observing that and other sentences of excommunication and interdict, which he altogether set at nought. Also without fear he seized territories of the said Roman church, namely the Marches, the Duchy, Benevento, the walls and towers of which he has caused to be demolished, and others with few exceptions in parts of Tuscany and Lombardy and certain other places which he holds, and he still keeps hold of them. And as if it were not enough that he was clearly going against the aforesaid oaths by such presumption, either by himself or through his officials he has forced the inhabitants of these territories to break their oath, absolving them in fact, since he cannot do it in law, from the oaths of loyalty by which they were bound to the Roman church, and making them nonetheless forswear the said loyalty and take an oath of loyalty to himself.

Ac venerabilem fratrem nostrum Ottonem Portuensem, tunc sancti Nicolai in Carcere Tulliano diaconum cardinalem, et bonae memoriae Iacobum Praenestinum episcopos, apostolicae sedis legatos, nobilia et magna ecclesiae Romanae membra, personaliter capi fecit et bonis omnibus spoliatos ac per diversa loca non semel ignominiose deductos carceribus mancipari. Privilegium insuper, quod beato Petro et successoribus eius in ipso tradidit dominus Iesus Christus, videlicet: quodcumque ligaveris super terram, erit ligatum et in coelis, et quodcumque solveris super terram, erit solutum et in coelis, in quo utique auctoritas et potestas ecclesiae Romanae consistit, pro viribus diminuere vel ipsi ecclesiae auferre sategit, scribens se praefati Gregorii sententias non vereri, latam ab eo excommunicationem in ipsum non solum contemptis ecclesiae clavibus non servando, verum etiam per se ac officiales suos et illam et alias excommunicationis vel interdicti sententias, quas idem omnino contempsit, cogendo alios non servare. Possessiones quoque praefatae Romanae ecclesiae, videlicet Marchiam, Ducatum, Beneventum, cuius muros et turres dirui fecit, ac alias quas in Tusciae ac Lombardiae partibus et quibusdam aliis obtinebat locis, paucis exceptis, occupare non metuens, eas adhuc detinet occupatas. Et tamquam ei non sufficeret, quod manifeste contra iuramenta praemissa praesumendo talia veniebat, per se vel suos officiales earumdem possessionum homines deierare compulit, ipsos a iuramentis fidelitatis, quibus Romanae tenebantur ecclesiae, de facto, cum de iure non posset, absolvens et faciens eosdem fidelitatem nihilominus abiurare praedictam sibi que fidelitatis huiusmodi iuramenta praestare.

It is absolutely clear that he is the violator of the peace. For, previously at a time when peace had been restored between himself and the church, he took an oath before the venerable John of Abbeville [14], bishop of Sabina, and Master Thomas [15], cardinal priest of the title of Saint Sabina, in the presence of many prelates, princes and barons, that he would observe and obey exactly and without reserve all the commands of the church with regard to those things for which he had incurred excommunication, after the reasons of that excommunication had been set out in order before him. Then, when remitting every sanction and penalty to the Teutonic knights, the inhabitants of the kingdom of Sicily and any others who had supported the church against him, he guaranteed on his soul through Thomas, count of Acerra, that he would never wrong them or cause them to be wronged on the ground that they had supported the church. But he did not keep the peace and violated these oaths without any sense of shame that he was guilty of perjury. For afterwards he caused some of these very men, both nobles and others, to be captured; and after stripping them of all their goods, he had their wives and children imprisoned; and contrary to the promise he had made to bishop John of Sabina and cardinal Thomas, he invaded the lands of the church without hesitation, even though they promulgated in his presence that henceforth he would incur sentence of excommunication if he broke his promise. And when these two ecclesiastics, by their apostolic authority, ordered that neither by himself nor through others should he hinder postulations, elections or confirmations of churches and monasteries in the kingdom of Sicily from being held freely in future according to the statutes of the general council; that henceforth nobody in the same kingdom should impose taxes or collections on ecclesiastical persons or their property; that in the same kingdom no cleric or ecclesiastical person should in future be brought before a lay judge in a civil or criminal case, except for a suit in civil law over feudal rights; and that he should make adequate compensation to the Templars, Hospitallers and other ecclesiastical persons for the loss and injury inflicted upon them; he nevertheless refused to obey these commands.

Pacis vero ipsum violatorem exsistere plene constat, quia cum olim tempore pacis inter ipsum et ecclesiam reformatae iurasset coram bonae memoriae Ioanni de Abbatis Villa episcopo Sabinensi et magistro Thomasio tituli sanctae Sabinae presbytero cardinali, praesentibus multis praelatis, principibus et baronibus, quod staret et pareret praecise absque ulla conditione omnibus mandatis ecclesiae super iis, pro quibus erat vinculo excommunicationis astrictus, causis excommunicationis eiusdem expressis per ordinem coram eo, tunc omnibus Theotonicis, hominibus regni Siciliae ac quibuslibet aliis, qui ecclesiae contra ipsum adhaeserant, omnem remittens offensam et poenam, et quod nullo tempore offenderet vel offendi faceret ipsos pro eo quod ecclesiae adstiterant, praestari in anima sua per Thomasium comitem Acerrarum faciens iuramentum, postmodum pacem et iuramenta huiusmodi, nequaquam erubescens irretiri periuriis, non servavit. Nonnullos enim ex ipsis hominibus tam nobiles quam alios postea capi fecit et, eis bonis suis omnibus spoliatis, uxores eorum et filios captivari ac terras ecclesiae contra promissionem, quam eisdem Ioanni Sabinensi episcopo et Thomasio cardinali fecerat, irreverenter invasit, licet ipsi extunc in eum praesentem, si contraveniret, excommunicationis sententiam promulgarint. Et cum iidem apostolica sibi auctoritate mandassent, ut nec per se nec per alium impediret, quin postulationes, electiones et confirmationes ecclesiarum et monasteriorum in regno praefato libere de cetero fierent secundum statuta concilii generalis, et quod nullus deinceps in eodem regno viris ecclesiasticis ac rebus eorum imponeret tallias vel collectas, quod que nullus ibidem clericus vel persona ecclesiastica de cetero in civili vel criminali causa conveniretur coram iudice saeculari, nisi super feudis quaestio civiliter haberetur, ac Templariis, Hospitalariis et aliis personis ecclesiasticis de damnis et iniuriis irrogatis eisdem satisfaceret competenter, ipse mandatum huiusmodi adimplere contempsit.

It is clear that in the kingdom of Sicily eleven or more archiepiscopal and many episcopal sees, abbacies and other churches are at present vacant, and through his agency, as is patent, these have long been deprived of prelates, to their own grave loss and the ruin of souls. And though perhaps in some churches of the kingdom elections have been held by chapters, since however they have elected clerics who are Frederick’s dependants, it can be concluded in all probability that they did not have a free power of choice. Not only has he caused the possessions and goods of churches in the kingdom to be seized at his pleasure, but also the crosses, thuribles, chalices and other sacred treasures of theirs, and silk cloth, to be carried off, like one who sets at nought divine worship, and although it is said that they have been restored in part to the churches, yet a price was first exacted for them. Indeed clerics are made to suffer in many ways by collections and taxes, and not only are they dragged before a lay court but also, as it is asserted, they are compelled to submit to duels and are imprisoned, killed and tortured to the disturbance and insult of the clerical order. Satisfaction has not been made to the said Templars, Hospitallers and ecclesiastical persons for the loss and injury done to them.

Liquet namque undecim aut plures archiepiscopales et multas episcopales sedes, abbatias quoque ac alias ecclesias vacare ad praesens in regno praedicto eas que procurante ipso, sicut aperte patet, fuisse diutius praelatorum regimine destitutas in grave ipsarum praeiudicium et periculum animarum. Et licet forte in aliquibus eiusdem regni ecclesiis electiones sint a capitulis celebratae, quia tamen per illas eiusdem familiares clerici sunt electi, probabili potest argumento concludi, quod facultatem non habuerunt liberam eligendi. Ecclesiarum autem ipsius regni non solum facultates et bona fecit prout voluit occupari, sed etiam cruces, turibula, calices et alios sacros earum thesauros et pannos sericos velut cultus divini contemptor auferri, licet ut dicitur ipsis ecclesiis, exacto tamen prius pro eis certo pretio, in parte fuerint restituti. Clerici quippe collectis et talliis multipliciter affliguntur, nec solum trahuntur ad iudicium saeculare, sed ut asseritur coguntur subire duella, incarcerantur, occiduntur et patibulis cruciantur in confusionem et opprobrium ordinis clericalis. Praefatis autem Templariis, Hospitalariis et personis ecclesiasticis non est de damnis illatis eisdem et iniuriis satisfactum.

It is also certain that he is guilty of sacrilege. For when the aforesaid bishops of Porto and Palestrina, and many prelates of churches and clerics, both religious and secular, summoned to the apostolic see to hold the council which Frederick himself had previously asked for, were coming by sea, since the roads had been entirely blocked at his command, he stationed his son Enzo with a large number of galleys and, by means of many others duly placed long beforehand, he laid an ambush against them in the parts of Tuscany on the coast; and so that he might vomit forth in more deadly fashion the poison which had long gathered within him, by an act of sacrilegious daring he caused them to be captured; during their seizure some of the prelates and others were drowned, a number were killed, some were put to flight and pursued, and the rest were stripped of all their possessions, ignominiously led from place to place to the kingdom of Sicily, and there harshly imprisoned. Some of them, overcome by the filth and beset by hunger, perished miserably.

Eum quoque certum est fore sacrilegii patratorem. Nam cum praefati Portuensis et Praenestinus episcopi et quam plures ecclesiarum praelati et clerici tam religiosi quam saeculares ad apostolicam sedem pro celebrando concilio, quod prius ipse petiverat, convocati per mare venirent, viis terrae ipsis de mandato eius omnino praeclusis, idem destinato Ensio filio suo cum multitudine galearum et per alias quamplures longe antea serio praeparatas in partibus Tusciae maritimis insidiis positis contra eos, ut gravius posset virus vomere praeconceptum, ipsos ausu sacrilego capi fecit, quibusdam praelatorum ipsorum et aliis in huiusmodi captione submersis, nonnullis etiam interemptis et aliquibus hostili insecutione fugatis, reliquis autem bonis spoliatis omnibus et de loco ad locum in regnum Siciliae opprobriose deductis ac ibidem diris carceribus mancipatis. Quorum aliqui macerati squaloribus et inedia pressi miserabiliter defecerunt.

Furthermore, he has deservedly become suspect of heresy. For, after he had incurred the sentence of excommunication pronounced against him by the aforesaid John, bishop of Sabina, and cardinal Thomas, after the said pope Gregory had laid him under anathema, and after the capture of cardinals of the Roman church, prelates, clerics and others coming at different times to the apostolic see; he has despised and continues to despise the keys of the church, causing the sacred rites to be celebrated or rather, as far as in him lies, to be profaned, and he has consistently asserted, as said above, that he does not fear the condemnations of the aforesaid pope Gregory. Besides, he is joined in odious friendship with the Saracens; several times he has sent envoys and gifts to them, and receives the like from them in return with expressions of honour and welcome; he embraces their rites; he openly keeps them with him in his daily services; and, following their customs, he does not blush to appoint as guards, for his wives descended from royal stock, eunuchs whom it is seriously said he has had castrated. And what is more loathsome, when he was in the territory overseas, after he had made an agreement, or rather had come to a wicked understanding with the sultan, he allowed the name of Mahomet to be publicly proclaimed day and night in the Lord’s temple. Recently, after the sultan of Babylon and his followers had brought serious loss and untold injury to the holy Land and its christian inhabitants, he caused the envoys of the sultan to be honourably received and lavishly entertained throughout the kingdom of Sicily with, it is said, every mark of honour being paid to the sultan. Using the deadly and hateful service of other unbelievers against the faithful, and securing a bond by friendship and marriage with those who, wickedly making light of the apostolic see, have separated from the unity of the church, he brought about by assassins the death of the famous duke Ludwig of Bavaria [16], who was specially devoted to the Roman church, with disregard of the christian religion, and he gave his daughter in marriage to Vatatzes [17], that enemy of God and the church who, together with his counsellors and supporters, was solemnly separated by excommunication from the communion of the faithful.

Merito insuper contra eum de haeretica pravitate suspicio est exorta, cum postquam excommunicationis sententiam a praefatis Ioanne episcopo Sabinensi et Thomasio cardinali prolatam incurrit et dictus Gregorius papa ipsum anathematis vinculo innodavit, ac post ecclesiae Romanae cardinalium, praelatorum et clericorum ac aliorum etiam diversis temporibus ad sedem apostolicam venientium captionem, claves ecclesiae contempserit et contemnat, sibi faciens celebrari vel potius quantum in eo est prophanari divina, et constanter asseveraverit, ut superius est narratum, se praefati Gregorii papae sententias non vereri. Praeterea coniunctus amicitia detestabili Sarracenis, nuntios et munera pluries destinavit eisdem et ab eis vicissim cum honorificentia et ilaritate recepit ipsorum que ritus amplectitur, illos in cotidianis eius obsequiis notabiliter se cum tenens, eorumdem etiam more uxoribus quas habuit de stirpe regia descendentibus, eunuchos, praecipue quos, ut dicitur serio, castrari fecerat, non erubuit deputare custodes. Et quod execrabilius est, olim exsistens in partibus transmarinis, facta compositione quadam, immo collusione verius cum soldano, Machometi nomen in templo Domini diebus et noctibus publice proclamari permisit. Et nuper nuntios soldani Babiloniae, postquam idem soldanus Terrae sanctae ac christianis habitatoribus eius per se ac suos damna gravissima et inaestimabiles iniurias irrogarat, fecit per regnum Siciliae cum laudibus ad eiusdem soldani extollentiam, sicut fertur, honorifice suscipi et magnifice procurari. Aliorum quoque infidelium perniciosis et horrendis obsequiis contra fideles abutens et illis qui damnabiliter vilipendentes apostolicam sedem ab unitate ecclesiae discesserunt, procurans affinitate ac amicitia copulari, clarae memoriae Ludovicum ducem Bavariae, specialem ecclesiae Romanae devotum, fecit, sicut pro certo asseritur, christiana religione despecta per assasinos occidi, et Batatio, Dei et ecclesiae inimico a communione fidelium per excommunicationis sententiam cum adiutoribus, consiliatoribus et fautoribus suis solemniter separato, filiam suam tradidit in uxorem.

Rejecting the customs and actions of christian princes and heedless of salvation and reputation, he gives no attention to works of piety. Indeed to say nothing of his wicked acts of destruction, though he has learnt to oppress, he does not care mercifully to relieve the oppressed, and instead of holding out his hand in charity, as befits a prince, he sets about the destruction of churches and crushes religious and other ecclesiastical persons by constant affliction. Nor is he seen to have built churches, monasteries, hospitals or other pious places. Surely these are not light but convincing proofs for suspecting him of heresy? The civil law declares that those are to be regarded as heretics, and ought to be subject to the sentences issued against them, who even on slight evidence are found to have strayed from the judgment and path of the catholic religion. Besides this the kingdom of Sicily, which is the special patrimony of blessed Peter and which Frederick held as a fief from the apostolic see, he has reduced to such a state of utter desolation and servitude, with regard to both clergy and laity, that these have practically nothing at all; and as nearly all upright people have been driven out, he has forced those who remain to live in an almost servile condition and to wrong in many ways and attack the Roman church, of which in the first place they are subjects and vassals. He could also be rightly blamed because for more than nine years he has failed to pay the annual pension of a thousand gold pieces, which he is bound to pay to the Roman church for this kingdom.

Catholicorum vero principum actus et mores respuens, neglector salutis et famae, pietatis operibus non intendit. Quin immo, ut de suis nefariis dissolutionibus sileamus, cum didicerit opprimere, non curat oppressos misericorditer relevare, manu eius, ut decet principem, ad eleemosynas non extenta, cum destructioni ecclesiarum institerit et religiosas ac alias ecclesiasticas iugi attriverit afflictione personas; nec ecclesias nec monasteria nec hospitalia seu alia pia loca cernitur construxisse. Nonne igitur haec non levia, sed efficacia sunt argumenta de suspicione haeresis contra eum? cum tamen haereticorum vocabulo illos ius civile contineri asserat et latis adversus eos sententiis debere succumbere, qui vel levi argumento a iudicio catholicae religionis et tramite detecti fuerint deviare. Praeter haec regnum Siciliae, quod est speciale patrimonium beati Petri et idem princeps ab apostolica sede tenebat in feudum, iam ad tantam in clericis et laicis exinanitionem servitutem que redegit, quod eis paene penitus nihil habentibus et omnibus exinde fere probis eiectis, illos qui remanserunt ibidem sub servili quasi conditione vivere ac Romanam ecclesiam, cuius principaliter sunt homines et vassalli, offendere multipliciter et hostiliter impugnare compellit. Posset etiam merito reprehendi, quod mille squifatorum annuam pensionem, in qua pro eodem regno ipsi ecclesiae Romanae tenetur, per novem annos et amplius solvere praetermisit.

We therefore, after careful discussion with our brother cardinals and the sacred council on his wicked transgressions already mentioned and many more besides, since though unworthy we hold on earth the place of Jesus Christ, and to us in the person of the blessed apostle Peter has been said, whatever you bind on earth etc., denounce the said prince, who has made himself so unworthy of the empire and kingdoms and every honour and dignity and who also, because of his crimes, has been cast out by God from kingdom and empire; we mark him out as bound by his sins, an outcast and deprived by our Lord of every honour and dignity; and we deprive him of them by our sentence. We absolve from their oath for ever all those who are bound to him by an oath of loyalty, firmly forbidding by our apostolic authority anyone in the future to obey or heed him as emperor or king, and decreeing that anyone who henceforth offers advice, help or favour to him as to an emperor or king, automatically incurs excommunication. Let those whose task it is to choose an emperor in the same empire, freely choose a successor to him. With regard to the aforesaid kingdom of Sicily, we shall take care to provide, with the counsel of our brother cardinals, as we see to be expedient.

Nos itaque super praemissis et quam pluribus aliis eius nefandis excessibus cum fratribus nostris et sacro concilio deliberatione praehabita diligenti, cum Iesu Christi vices licet immeriti teneamus in terris nobis que in beati Petri apostoli persona sit dictum: quodcumque ligaveris super terram et cetera, memoratum principem, qui se imperio et regnis omni que honore ac dignitate reddidit tam indignum, qui que propter suas iniquitates a Deo ne regnet vel imperet est abiectus, suis ligatum peccatis et abiectum omni que honore ac dignitate privatum a Domino ostendimus, denuntiamus ac nihilominus sententiando privamus, omnes qui ei iuramento fidelitatis tenentur adstricti, a iuramento huiusmodi perpetuo absolventes, auctoritate apostolica firmiter inhibendo, ne quisquam de cetero sibi tamquam imperatori vel regi pareat vel intendat, et decernendo quoslibet, qui deinceps ei velut imperatori aut regi consilium vel auxilium praestiterint seu favorem, ipso facto excommunicationis vinculo subiacere. Illi autem, ad quos in eodem imperio imperatoris spectat electio, eligant libere successorem. De praefato vero Siciliae regno providere curabimus cum eorumdem fratrum nostrorum consilio, sicut viderimus expedire.

Given at Lyons on 17 July in the third year of our pontificate.

Da(tum) Lugduni, XVI. Kal(endas) augusti, pontificatus nostri anno tertio.

CONSTITUTIONS

 

 

 

CONSTITUTIONS

 

I

 

 

 

 

 

1.On rescripts

 

Since in many articles of law failure to define their scope is blameworthy, after prudent consideration we decree that by the general clause “certain others” which frequently occurs in papal letters, no more than three or four persons are to be brought to court. The petitioner should state the names in his first citation, lest by chance a place is left for fraud if the names can be freely altered .

Cum in multis iuris articulis infinitas reprobetur provide duximus statuendum ut per generalem clausulam quidam alii quae frequenter in litteris nostris inseritur ultra tres vel quatuor in iudicium non trahantur. Quorum nomina in primo citatorio exprimat impetrator ne fraudi locus forsitan relinquatur si circa ea possit libere variare.

 

 

 

 

2.  Those to whom cases should be entrusted

 

By  the present decree we ordain that the apostolic see or its legates should not entrust cases to any persons except those who possess a dignity or belong to cathedrals or other collegiate churches of high standing; and such cases are to be conducted only in cities or large and well-known places where are to be found many men learned in the law. Judges who, contrary to this statute, cite either one or both parties to other places may be disobeyed without penalty, unless the citation takes place with the consent of both parties.

Praesenti decreto duximus providendum ne a sede apostolica vel legatis ipsius causae aliquibus committantur nisi personis quae vel dignitate sint praeditae vel in ecclesiis cathedralibus seu aliis collegiatis honorabilibus institutae nec alibi quam in civitatibus vel locis magnis et insignibus ubi haberi valeat iuris copia peritorum causae huiusmodi agitentur. Iudicibus vero qui contra hoc statutum ad alia loca alterutram partium citaverint vel utramque non pareatur impune nisi citatio de communi utriusque partis processerit voluntate.

 

 

 

 

3.  Curtailing legal expenses

 

As we wish, to the best of our power, to curtail the expenses of lawsuits by shortening the legal process, extending the decree of Innocent III of happy memory on this matter, we decree that if anyone wishes to bring several personal claims against another, he must be careful to gain letters on all these claims to the same judges and not to different ones. If anyone acts contrary to this, his letters and the processes initiated by them are to lack all validity; besides if he has caused inconvenience to the defendant by them, he is to be condemned to pay the legal expenses. Also if the defendant during the course of the same trial declares that he has a charge against the plaintiff, he ought, through benefit either of reconvention or of convention, if he prefers to obtain letters against him, to have his case tried before the same judges, unless he can reject them as being suspect. If he acts contrary to this, he should suffer the same penalty.

Dispendia litium aequitatis compendio volentes qua possumus industria coarctare statutum felicis recordationis Innocentii papae tertii super hoc editum ampliantes decrevimus ut si quis contra alium plures personales movere voluerit quaestiones non ad diversos iudices sed ad eosdem super omnibus huiusmodi quaestionibus litteras studeat impetrare. Qui vero contrarium fecerit omni commodo careat litterarum nec processus valeat habitus per easdem alias si eum per ipsas fatigaverit in expensis legitimis condemnetur. Reus quoque si eodem durante iudicio actorem sibi obnoxium dixerit reconventionis beneficio vel conventionis si litteras contra eum impetrare maluerit de iure suo debet apud eosdem iudices experiri nisi eos ut suspectos poterit recusare simili poena si contrafecerit puniendus.

 

 

 

 

4.  On challenging elections etc.

 

We decree that if anyone attacks an election, postulation or provision already made, bringing some objection to the form or the person, and should happen to appeal to us in this matter, both the objector and the defendant, and in general all those who are concerned and whom the case affects, either by themselves or by their procurators instructed for the case, should make their way to the apostolic see within a month of the lodging of the objection. But if one party  does not come after twenty days, and the other party has arrived and is waiting, the case about the election may proceed according to law, notwithstanding the absence of anyone. We wish and command that this is to be observed in dignities parsonages and canonries. We  also add that anyone who does not fully prove the objection he has brought regarding the form, shall be condemned to pay the expenses which the other party claims to have incurred on this account. But anyone who fails to prove his objection against the person, should know that he is suspended from ecclesiastical benefices for three years, and if within that time he continues to act with similar reckless conduct, that by the law itself he is deprived of these benefices for ever, and he is to have no hope or confidence of mercy in this matter, unless it is established by the clearest proof that a probable and sufficient cause excuses him from a malicious accusation.

Statuimus ut si quis electionem postulationem vel provisionem factam impugnat in formam obiciens aliquid vel personam et propter hoc ad nos appellari contingat tam is qui opponit quam qui defendit et generaliter omnes quorum interest et quos causa contingit per se vel per procuratores ad causam instructos ad sedem apostolicam a die obiectionis iter arripiant infra mensem. Sed si pars aliqua non venerit post viginti dies post adventum alterius partis exspectata in electionis negotio non obstante cuiusquam absentia sicut de iure fuerit procedetur. Haec autem in dignitatibus personatibus et canonicis observari volumus et mandamus. Adicimus etiam ut qui non plene probaverit quod in forma opponit ad expensas quas propter hoc pars altera fecisse docuerit condemnetur. Qui vero in probatione defecerit eius quod in personam obicit a beneficiis ecclesiasticis triennio noverit se suspensum. Atque si infra illud tempus propria se temeritate ingesserit tunc illis ipso iure perpetuo sit privatus nullam super hoc de misericordia spem aut fiduciam habiturus nisi manifestissimis constiterit documentis quod ipsum a calumniae vitio causa probabilis et sufficiens excuset.

 

 

 

 

5.  Only unconditional votes valid

 

In  elections, postulations and ballots, from which the right of election arises, we completely disapprove of conditional, alternative and indefinite votes, and we decree that the said votes are to be held invalid, and that the election is to be determined by unconditional votes; for the power of decision of those who do not express a clear opinion is transferred to the others .

In electionibus et postulationibus ac scrutiniis ex quibus ius oritur eligendi vota conditionalia alternativa et incerta penitus reprobamus statuentes ut huiusmodi votis pro non adiectis habitis ex puris consensibus celebretur electio voce illorum qui non pure consenserint ea vice in alios recidente.

 

 

 

 

6.  Jurisdiction of conservators

 

We decree that conservators, whom we frequently appoint, may defend from manifest injury and violence those whom we entrust to their protection, but that their power does not extend to other matters which require a judicial investigation.

Statuimus ut conservatores quos plerumque concedimus a manifestis iniuriis et violentiis defendere possint quos eis committimus defendendos nec ad alia quae iudicialem indaginem exigunt suam valeant extendere potestatem.

 

 

 

 

7Legates and benefices

 

We are required by our office to watch for remedies for our subjects, because while we relieve their burdens and remove their stumbling blocks, so we rest in their ease and enjoy their peace. Therefore we enact by the present decree that legates of the Roman church, however much they hold the full power of legates whether they have been sent by us or claim the dignity of that office on behalf of their own churches, have no power from the office of legate of conferring benefices, unless we have judged that this is specially to be granted to a particular one. We do not, however, wish this restriction to hold with our brother cardinals while acting as legates, because just as they rejoice in a prerogative of honour, so we wish them to exercise a wider authority.

Officii nostri debitum remediis invigilat subiectorum quia dum eorum excutimus onera dum scandala removemus nos in ipsorum quiete quiescimus et fovemur in pace. Proinde praesenti decreto statuimus ut ecclesiae Romanae legati quantumcumque plenam legationem obtineant sive a nobis missi fuerint sive suarum ecclesiarum praetextu legationis sibi vendicent dignitatem ex ipsius legationis munere conferendi beneficia nullam habeant potestatem nisi hoc alicui specialiter duxerimus indulgendum. Quod tamen in fratribus nostris legatione fungentibus nolumus observari quia sicut honoris praerogativa laetantur sic eos auctoritate fungi volumus ampliori.

 

 

 

 

8.  Judge delegates

 

The law seems to be clear that a judge delegate, unless he has received a special concession for the purpose from the apostolic see, cannot order either of the parties to appear in person before him, unless it be a criminal case or, in order to obtain a statement of the truth or an oath regarding calumny, the necessity of the law demands that the parties appear before him.

Iuris esse ambiguum non videtur iudicem delegatum qui a sede apostolica ad hoc mandatum non receperit speciale iubere non posse alterutram partium coram se personaliter in iudicio comparere nisi causa fuerit criminalis vel nisi pro veritate dicenda vel iuramento calumniae faciendo iuris necessitas partes coram eo personaliter exegerit praesentari.

 

 

 

 

9.  On peremptory exceptions

 

The objection of a peremptory exception or of any major defence concerning the trial of a case, raised before the contestation of the suit, shall not prevent or hold up the contestation, unless the objector makes an exception concerning a matter already judged or concluded or brought to a solution, even though the objector says that the rescript would not have been granted if the grantor had been aware of the things which are adverse to the plaintiff.

Exceptionis peremptoriae seu defensionis cuiuslibet principalis cognitionem negotii continentis ante litem contestatam obiectus nisi de re iudicata vel transacta seu finita excipiat litigator litis contestationem fieri non impediat nec retardet licet dicat obiector non fuisse rescriptum obtentum si quae sunt impetranti opposita fuissent exposita deleganti.

 

 

 

 

10.  The objection of robbery

 

We are well aware of the frequent and persistent complaint that the exception of robbery, sometimes maliciously introduced in trials, hinders and confuses ecclesiastical cases. For while the exception is admitted, sometimes appeals are introduced. Thus the hearing of the chief case is interrupted and often comes to nothing. Thus we who are ever ready to take labours upon ourselves so that we may win peace for others, wishing to limit lawsuits and to remove material for malicious accusations, decree that in civil suits a judge is not to hold up the proceedings of the major issue on account of an objection of robbery brought by anyone except the plaintiff. But if the defendant declares in civil suits that he has been robbed by the plaintiff, or in criminal cases by anyone at all, then he must prove his assertion within fifteen days after the day on which the claim is put forward; otherwise he is to be condemned to pay the expenses which the plaintiff has incurred on this account, after a judicial estimate has been made, or let him be punished otherwise if the judge thinks right. By the word “robbed” we wish to be understood in this case a criminal accusation whereby someone declares that he has been stripped by violence of all his substance or a greater part of it. This we think is the only honest interpretation of the canons, for we ought not to meet our opponents either naked or without arms. For the one stripped has the advantage that he cannot be stripped again. Among the schoolmen the matter is debated, whether one who has been robbed by a third party can bring an exception against his accuser, or whether a time should be granted him by the judge within which he should ask for restitution, lest perchance he should wish to continue in this state in order to evade every accuser, and this we think is fully according to justice. If he does not seek restitution within the time granted, or does not bring his case to a conclusion even though he could do so, then he can be accused regardless of the exception of robbery. In addition to this we decree that robbery of private goods cannot in any way be brought up against one for ecclesiastics or vice versa.

Frequens et assidua nos querela circumstrepit quod spoliationis exceptio nonnumquam in iudiciis calumniose proposita causas ecclesiasticas impedit et perturbat. Dum enim exceptioni insistitur appellationes interponi contingit. Et sic intermittitur et plerumque perimitur causae cognitio principalis. Et propterea nos qui voluntarios labores appetimus ut quietem aliis praeparemus finem litibus cupientes imponi et calumniae materiam amputari statuimus ut in civilibus negotiis spoliationis obiectione quae ab alio quam ab actore facta proponitur iudex in principali procedere non postponat. Sed si in civilibus ab actore in criminalibus autem se spoliatum reus asserat a quocumque infra quindecim dierum spatium post diem in quo proponitur quod asseruit comprobabit alioquin in expensis quas actor interim ob hoc fecerit iudiciali taxatione praehabita condemnetur. Alias si aequum iudici visum fuerit puniendus. Illum autem spoliatum intelligi volumus in hoc casu cum criminaliter accusatur qui tota substantia sua vel maiori parte ipsius per violentiam se destitutum affirmat. Et secundum hoc loqui canones sano credendum est intellectu quia nec nudi contendere nec inermes inimicis opponere non debemus. Habet enim spoliatus privilegium ut non possit exui iam nudatus. Solet autem inter scholasticos dubitari si spoliatus a tertio de spoliatione contra suum accusatorem excipiat an ei tempus a iudice debeat indulgeri infra quod restitutionem imploret. Ne forte sic velit exsistere ut omnem accusatorem eludat quod satis aequitati consonum aestimamus. Et si infra tempus indultum restitutionem non petierit et causam cum potuerit non perduxerit ad finem non obstante spoliationis exceptione deinceps poterit accusari. Ad haec sancimus ut rerum privatarum spoliatio agenti super ecclesiasticis vel e nullatenus apponatur.

 

 

 

 

11.  No-show plaintiffs

 

A plaintiff who does not take the trouble to come on the date for which he has caused his appeal to be cited, should be condemned on his arrival to pay the expenses incurred by the defendant on account of this, and he is not to be admitted to another citation unless he gives a sufficient surety that he will appear on the date.

Actor qui venire ad terminum ad quem citari adversarium fecerat non curavit venienti reo in expensis propter hoc factis legitime condemnetur ad citationem aliam nisi sufficienter caveat quod in termino compareat minime admittendus.

 

 

 

 

12.  On early possession for the sake of preservation

 

We decree that a person who, in order to obtain a dignity, parsonage or ecclesiastical benefice, brings a suit against the possessor, may not be admitted to possession of it for the sake of its preservation, on the grounds of the other’s contumacy; this is to prevent his entering upon it from appearing irregular. But in this case the divine presence may make up for the absence of the contumacious one, so that though the suit is not opposed, the matter may be brought to the proper conclusion after a careful examination.

Eum qui super dignitate personatu vel beneficio ecclesiastico obtinendis cum alio litigat possessore ob partis adversae contumaciam causa rei servandae in ipsorum possessionem statuimus non mittendum ne per hoc ad ea ingressus patere valeat vitiosus sed liceat in hoc casu contumacis absentiam divina replente praesentia etiam lite non contestata diligenter examinato negotio ipsum fine debito terminare.

 

 

 

 

13.  On the acceptability of negative assertions

 

We decree that negative assertions, which can only be proved by the admission of the opponent, may be accepted by the judges if they see this to be expedient in the interests of equity.

Statuimus ut positiones negativas quae probari non possunt nisi per confessionem adversarii iudices admittere possint si aequitate suadente viderint expedire.

 

 

 

 

14.  The exception of major excommunication

 

After due consideration our holy mother the church decrees that the exception of a major excommunication should hold up the suit and delay the agents, in whatever part of the proceedings it is produced. Thus ecclesiastical censure will be the more feared, the danger of communion avoided, the vice of contumacy checked, and those excommunicated, while they are excluded from the acts of the community, may the more easily be brought, through a sense of shame, to the grace of humility and reconciliation. But with the growth of human evil what was provided as a remedy has turned to harm. For while in ecclesiastical cases this exception is frequently brought up through malice, it happens that business is delayed and the parties worn out by toil and expense. Therefore, since this has crept in like a general plague, we think it right to apply a general remedy. Thus if anyone brings up the objection of excommunication, he should set out the kind of excommunication and the name of the person who imposed the penalty. He must know that he is bringing the matter into public notice, and he must prove it with the clearest evidence within eight days, not counting the day on which he brings it forward. If he does not prove it, the judge should not fail to proceed in the case, condemning the accused to repay the sum which the plaintiff shows he has incurred, after an estimate has been made. If however later, while the hearing continues and the proof is progressing, an exception is made either with regard to the same excommunication or another and is proved, the plaintiff is to be excluded from the proceedings until he has deserved to gain the grace of absolution, and all that has gone before shall nevertheless be regarded as valid; provided that this exception is not put forward more than twice, unless a new excommunication has arisen or a clear and ready proof has come to light concerning the old. If such an exception is brought forward after the case has been decided though it will prevent the execution it will not weaken the verdict, with the qualification that, if the plaintiff has been publicly excommunicated, and the judge knows this at any time, then even if the accused shall not make an exception on this score, the judge should not delay in removing the plaintiff from his office.

Pia consideratione statuit mater ecclesia quod maioris excommunicationis exceptio in quacumque parte iudiciorum opposita lites differat et repellat agentes ut ex hoc magis censura ecclesiastica timeatur et communionis periculum evitetur contumaciae vitium reprimatur et excommunicati dum a communibus actibus excluduntur rubore suffusi ad humilitatis gratiam et reconciliationis effectum facilius inclinentur. Sed hominum succrescente malitia quod provisum est ad remedium transit ad noxas. Dum enim in causis ecclesiasticis frequentius haec exceptio per malitiam opponatur contingit differri negotia et partes fatigari laboribus et expensis. Proinde quia morbus iste quasi communis irrepsit dignum duximus communem adhibere medelam. Si quis igitur excommunicationem opponat speciem ipsius et nomen excommunicatoris exponat sciturus eam rem se deferre in publicam notionem quam infra octo dierum spatium die in quo proponitur minime computato probare valeat apertissimis documentis. Quod si non probaverit iudex in causa procedere non omittat reum in expensis quas actor ob hoc diebus illis se fecisse docuerit praehabita taxatione condemnans. Si vero postmodum instantia durante iudicii et probandi copia succedente de eadem excommunicatione vel alia excipiatur iterum et probetur actor in sequentibus excludatur donec meruerit absolutionis gratiam obtinere his quae praecesserunt nihilominus in suo robore duraturis. Proviso ut ultra duas vices non haec proponatur exceptio praeterquam si excommunicatio nova emerserit vel evidens et prompta probatio supervenerit de antiqua. Sed si post rem iudicatam talis exceptio proponatur executionem impediet sed sententia quae praecessit non minus robur debitum obtinebit eo tamen salvo ut si actor excommunicatus sit publice et hoc iudex noverit quandocumque etsi de hoc reus non excipiat iudex actorem ex suo officio repellere non postponat.

 

 

 

 

15.  On Judges Who Give Dishonest Judgment

 

Since before the judgment seat of the eternal king a person will not be held guilty when a judge unjustly condemns him, according to the words of the prophet, the Lord will not condemn him when he is judged, ecclesiastical judges must take care and be on the watch that in the process of justice dislike has no power, favour does not take an undue place, fear is banished, and reward or hope of reward does not overturn justice. Let them bear the scales in their hands and weigh with an equal balance, so that in all that is done in the court, especially in forming and giving the verdict, they may have God only before their eyes following the example of him who when entering the tabernacle referred the complaints of the people to the Lord to judge according to his command. If any ecclesiastical judge, whether ordinary or delegated, careless of his reputation and seeking his own honour, acts against his conscience and justice in any way to the injury of one party in his judgment, whether from favour or from base motives, let him know that he is suspended from the exercise of his office for a year and he is to be condemned to pay to the injured party the damages incurred; further, let him know that if during the period of his suspension he sacrilegiously takes part in the sacred rites of the church, he is caught in the noose of irregularity according to the canonical sanctions, from which he can be freed only by the apostolic see, saving the other constitutions which assign and inflict punishment on judges who give dishonest judgment. For it is right that he who dares to offend in so many ways should suffer a multiple penalty.

Cum aeterni principis tribunal illum reum non habeat quem iniuste iudex condemnat testante propheta nec damnabit eum cum iudicabitur illi caveant ecclesiastici iudices et prudenter attendant ut in causarum processibus nihil vendicet odium nihil vel favor usurpet timor exsulet praemium aut expectatio praemii iustitiam non evertat. Sed stateram gestent in manibus lances appendant aequo libramine ut in omnibus quae in causis agenda fuerint praesertim in concipiendis sententiis et ferendis prae oculis habeant solum deum illius imitantes exemplum qui querelas populi tabernaculum ingressus ad dominum referebat ut secundum eius imperium iudicaret. Si quis autem iudex ecclesiasticus ordinarius aut delegatus famae prodigus et proprii persecutor honoris contra conscientiam et contra iustitiam in gravamen partis alterius in iudicio quicquam fecerit per gratiam vel per sordes ab executione officii per annum noverit se suspensum ad aestimationem litis parti quam laeserit nihilominus condemnandus sciturus quod si suspensione durante damnabiliter ingesserit se divinis irregularitatis laqueo se involvet secundum canonicas sanctiones a quo nonnisi per sedem poterit apostolicam liberari salvis aliis constitutionibus quae iudicibus male iudicantibus poenas gerunt et infligunt. Dignum est etenim ut qui in tot praesumit offendere poena multiplici castigetur.

 

 

 

 

16.  On appeals

 

It is our earnest wish to lessen lawsuits and to relieve subjects of their troubles. Therefore we decree that if anyone thinks that he should appeal to us in a court of law or outside it because of an interlocutory decree or a grievance, let him at once put in writing the reason for his appeal, seeking a writ which we order to be granted him. In this writ the judge is to declare the reason for the appeal, and why the appeal has not been granted or whether it was granted out of respect for a superior. After this let time be granted to the appellant, according to distance and the nature of the persons and the business, to follow up his appeal. If the appellee wishes it and the principals petition for it, let them approach the apostolic see, either by themselves or through agents who have been instructed and given a commission to act, bringing with them the reasons and documents relating to the case. Let them come so prepared that if it seems good to us, when the matter of the appeal has been dealt with or committed to the parties for agreement, the principal case may proceed, insofar as it can and should by law; without however any change in what tradition has ordained about appeals from definitive sentences. If the appellant does not observe the above provisions, he is not to be reckoned an appellant and he must return to the examination of the former judge, and is to be condemned to pay the legitimate expenses. If the appellee disregards this statute, he shall be proceeded against as contumacious, as regards both the costs and the case, in so far as this is allowed by the law. Indeed it is right that the laws should raise their hands against someone who mocks the law, judge and litigant.

Cordi nobis est lites minuere et a laboribus relevare subiectos. Sancimus igitur ut si quis in iudicio vel extra super interlocutoria vel gravamine ad nos duxerit appellandum causam appellationis in scriptis assignare deproperet petens apostolos quos ei praecipimus exhiberi. In quibus appellationis causam iudex exprimat et cur appellatio non sit admissa vel si appellationi forsitan ex superioris reverentia sit delatum. Post haec appellatori secundum locorum distantiam personarum et negotii qualitatem tempore prosecutionis indulto si appellatus voluerit et principales petierint per se vel per procuratores instructos cum mandato ad agendum rationibus et munimentis ad causam spectantibus accedant ad sedem apostolicam sic parati ut si nobis visum fuerit expedire finito appellationis articulo vel partium voluntati comisso procedatur in negotio principali quantum poterit et de iure debebit his quae in appellationibus a definitivis sententiis interpositis antiquitas statuit non mutatis. Quod si appellator quae praemissa sunt non observet reputabitur non appellans et ad prioris iudicis redibit examen in expensis legitimis condemnandus. Si autem appellatus contempserit hoc statutum in eum tamquam contumacem tam in expensis quam in causa quantum a iure permittitur procedatur. Iustum est equidem ut in eum iura consurgant qui ius iudicem et partem eludit.

 

 

 

 

17.  On the same

 

When reasonable grounds for suspicion have been noted against a judge, and arbitrators have been chosen by the parties according to the form of law to investigate it, it often happens that when the two arbitrators fail to agree and do not summon a third one, with whom both or one of them can proceed to settle the matter as they are obliged, the judge brings a sentence of excommunication against them, which they through dislike or favour for long disregard. Thus the case itself, interrupted more than it should be, does not proceed to a settlement of the principal business. As it is our wish therefore to apply a necessary remedy for a disease of this nature, we decree that a fitting time-limit should be fixed by the judge for the two arbitrators, so that within it they may either agree or by consent summon a third one, with whom both or one of them may put an end to the suspicion. Otherwise the judge thenceforth shall proceed in the principal business.

Legitima suspicionis causa contra iudicem assignata et arbitris a partibus secundum formam iuris electis qui de ipsa cognoscant saepe contingit quod ipsis in idem convenire nolentibus nec tertium advocantibus cum quo ambo vel alter eorum procedant ad decisionem ipsius negotii ut tenentur iudex proferat excommunicationis sententiam contra eos quam ipsi tum propter odium tum propter favorem diutius vilipendunt. Quare causa ipsa plus debito prorogata non proceditur ad cognitionem negotii principalis. Volentes igitur morbo huiusmodi necessariam adhibere medelam statuimus ut ipsis arbitris per iudicem competens terminus praefigatur infra quem in idem conveniant vel tertium concorditer advocent cum quo ambo vel alter ipsorum eiusdem suspicionis negotium terminare procurent. Alioquin iudex extunc in principali negotio procedere non omittat.

 

 

 

 

18On employing assassins

 

The son of God, Jesus Christ, for the redemption of the human race descended from the height of heaven to the lowest part of the world and underwent a temporal death. But when after his resurrection he was about to ascend to his Father, that he might not leave the flock redeemed by his glorious blood without a shepherd, he entrusted its care to the blessed apostle Peter, so that by the firmness of his own faith he might strengthen others in the christian religion and kindle their minds with the ardour of devotion to the works of their salvation. Hence we who by the will of our Lord, though without merit of our own, have been made successors of this apostle and hold on earth, though unworthy, the place of our Redeemer, should always be careful and vigilant in the guarding of that flock and be forced to direct our thoughts continuously to the salvation of souls by removing what is harmful and doing what is profitable. Thus casting off the sleep of negligence and with the eyes of our heart ever vigilant, we may be able to win souls to God with the cooperation of his grace. Since therefore there are people who with a terrible inhumanity and loathsome cruelty thirst for the death of others and cause them to be killed by assassins, and thus bring about not only the death of the body but also of the soul, unless the abundant divine grace prevents it, we wish to meet such danger to souls, so that the victims may be defended beforehand by spiritual arms and all power may be bestowed by God for justice and the exercise of right judgment, and to strike those wicked and reckless people with the sword of ecclesiastical punishment, so that the fear of punishment may set a limit to their audacity. We do so especially since some persons of high standing, fearing to be killed in such a way, are forced to beg for their own safety from the master of these assassins, and thus so to speak to redeem their life in a way that is an insult to christian dignity. Therefore, with the approval of the sacred council, we decree that if any prince, prelate or any ecclesiastical or secular person shall cause the death of any Christian by such assassins, or even command it -- even though death does not follow from this-or receives, defends or hides such persons, he automatically incurs the sentence of excommunication and of deposition from dignity, honour, order, office and benefice, and these are to be conferred on others by those who have the right to do so. Let such a one with all his worldly goods be cast out for ever by all christian people as an enemy of religion, and after it has been established by reasonable evidence that so loathsome a crime has been committed, no other sentence of excommunication, deposition or rejection shall in any way be needed.

Pro humani redemptione generis de summis coelorum ad ima mundi descendens et mortem tandem subiens temporalem dei filius Iesus Christus ne gregem sui pretio sanguinis gloriosi redemptum ascensurus post resurrectionem ad patrem absque pastore desereret ipsius curam beato Petro apostolo ut suae stabilitate fidei ceteros in christiana religione firmaret eorum que mentes ad salutis suae opera accenderet devotionis ardore commisit. Unde nos eiusdem apostoli effecti disponente domino licet immeriti successores et ipsius redemptoris locum in terris quamquam indigne tenentes circa gregis eiusdem custodiam sollicitis excitari vigiliis et animarum saluti iugis accensione cogitationis intendere submovendo noxia et agendo profutura debemus ut excusso a nobis negligentiae somno nostri que cordis oculis diligentia sedula vigilantibus animas ipsas deo lucrifacere sua nobis cooperante gratia valeamus. Cum igitur illi qui sic horrenda inhumanitate detestanda que saevitia mortem sitiunt aliorum ut ipsos faciant per assassinos occidi non solum corporum sed mortem procurent etiam animarum nisi eas exuberans gratia divina praevenerit ut sint armis spiritualibus praemuniti ac omnis potestas tribuatur a domino ad iustitiam rectum que iudicium exercendum nos tanto periculo volentes occurrere animarum et tam nefarios praesumptores ecclesiasticae animadversionis mucrone ferire ut metus poenae meta huiusmodi praesumptionis exsistat praesertim cum nonnulli magnates taliter perimi formidantes coacti fuerint securitatem ab eorumdem assasinorum domino impetrare sic que. Ab eo non absque christianae dignitatis opprobrio redimere quodammodo vitam suam sacri concilii approbatione statuimus ut quicumque princeps praelatus seu quaelibet alia ecclesiastica seu saecularis persona quempiam christianorum per praedictos assasinos interfici fecerit vel etiam mandaverit quamquam mors ex hoc forsitan non prosequatur aut eos receptaverit vel defenderit seu occultaverit excommunicationis et depositionis a dignitate honore ordine officio et beneficio incurrat sententias ipso facto et ista libere aliis per illos ad quos illorum collatio pertinet conferantur. Sit etiam cum suis bonis mundanis omnibus tamquam christianae religionis aemulus a toto christiano populo perpetuo diffidatus et postquam probabilibus constiterit documentis aliquod scelus tam execrabile commisisse nullatenus alia excommunicationis vel depositionis seu diffidationis adversus eum sententia requiratur.

 

 

 

 

19.  On excommunication 1

 

Since the aim of excommunication is healing and not death, correction and not destruction, as long as the one against whom it is pronounced does not treat it with contempt, let an ecclesiastical judge proceed with caution, so that in pronouncing It he may be seen as one who acts with a correcting and healing hand. Whoever pronounces an excommunication, therefore, should do this in writing and should write down expressly the reason why the excommunication was pronounced. He is bound to hand over a copy of this written document to the one excommunicated within a month after the date of sentence, if requested to do so. As to this request, we wish a public document to be drawn up or testimonial letters to be furnished, sealed with an official seal. If any judge rashly violates this constitution, let him know that he is suspended for one month from entering a church or attending divine services. The superior to whom the one excommunicated has recourse, should readily remove the excommunication and condemn the judge who pronounced it to repay the expenses and all losses, or punish him in other ways with a fitting penalty, so that judges may learn by the lesson of punishment how serious it is to hurl the bolt of excommunication without due consideration. We wish the same to be observed in sentences of suspension and interdict. Let prelates of churches and all judges take care that they do not incur the foresaid penalty of suspension. But if it happens that they take part m divine offices as before, they will not escape irregularity according to the canonical sanctions, in a matter where dispensation cannot be granted except by the sovereign pontiff.

Cum medicinalis sit excommunicatio non mortalis disciplinans non eradicans dum tamen is in quem lata fuerit non contemnat caute provideat iudex ecclesiasticus ut in ea ferenda ostendat se prosequi quod corrigentis est et medentis. Quisquis ergo excommunicat in scriptis proferat et causam expresse conscribat propter quam excommunicatio proferatur. Exemplum vero scripturae huiusmodi teneatur excommunicato tradere infra mensem post diem sententiae si fuerit requisitus. Super qua requisitione fieri volumus publicum instrumentum vel literas testimoniales confici sigillo authentico consignatas. Si quis autem iudicum huiusmodi constitutionis temerarius violator exsistat per mensem unum ab ingressu ecclesiae et divinis noverit se suspensum. Superior vero ad quem recurritur sententiam ipsam sine difficultate relaxans latorem excommunicationis ad expensas et omne interesse condemnet vel alias puniat animadversione condigna ut poena docente discant iudices quam grave sit excommunicationis sententias sine maturitate debita fulminare. Et haec eadem in suspensionis et interdicti sententiis volumus observari. Caveant autem ecclesiarum praelati et iudices universi ne praedictam suspensionis poenam incurrant. Quod si contigerit eos divina officia prosequi sicut prius irregularitatem non effugiant iuxta canonicas sanctiones super qua nonnisi per summum pontificem poterit dispensari.

 

 

 

 

20.  On excommunication 2

 

The question is sometimes asked whether, when a person who asks to be absolved by a superior by way of precaution, asserting that the sentence of excommunication pronounced against him is void, the act of absolution should be performed for him without objection; and whether one who declares before such absolution that he will prove in a court of law that he was excommunicated after a legitimate appeal, or that an intolerable mistake was clearly expressed in the sentence, should be avoided in all things except in what concerns the proof. To the first question we decree that the following is to be observed: absolution is not to be refused to the petitioner, even though the pronouncer of the sentence or the adversary opposes it, unless he says that the petitioner was excommunicated for a manifest offence, in which case a limit of eight days is to be granted to the one saying this. If he proves his objection, the sentence is not to be set aside unless there is sufficient guarantee of amendment or an adequate assurance that the petitioner will appear in court if the offence with which he is charged is still doubtful. To the second question, we decree that he who is allowed to submit a proof, as long as the matter of proof is in dispute, is to be avoided in all matters in the court in which he is engaged as an agent, but outside the court he may take part in offices, postulations, elections and other lawful acts.

Solet a nonnullis in dubium revocari an cum aliquis per superiorem absolvi postulat ad cautelam dum in se latam excommunicationis sententiam asserit esse nullam sine contradictionis obstaculo munus ei debeat absolutionis impendi et an ante absolutionem huiusmodi qui se offert in iudicio probaturum se post appellationem legitimam excommunicatione innodatum vel intolerabilem errorem in sententia fuisse patenter expressum sit in ceteris excepto probationis illius articulo evitandus. In prima igitur dubitatione sic statuimus observandum ut petenti absolutio non negetur quamvis in hoc excommunicator vel adversarius se opponat nisi eum excommunicatum pro manifesta dicat offensa in quo casu terminus octo dierum indulgebitur sic dicenti. Ut si probaverit quod opponit nec relaxetur sententia nisi prius sufficiens praestetur emenda vel competens cautio de parendo si offensa dubia proponatur. In secunda vero quaestione statuimus ut is qui ad probandum admittitur pendente probationis articulo in ceteris quae ut actor in iudiciis acceptaverit interim evitetur extra iudicium vero in officiis postulationibus et electionibus et aliis legitimis actibus nihilominus admittatur.

 

 

 

 

21.  On excommunication 3

 

We decree  that no judge should presume to pronounce, before a canonical warning, a sentence of major excommunication upon persons who associate, in speech or other ways by which an associate incurs a minor excommunication, with persons already excommunicated by the judge; saving those decrees which have legitimately been promulgated against those who presume to associate with one condemned for grievous crime. But it the excommunicated person becomes hardened in speech or other ways by which an associate incurs a minor excommunication, the judge can, after canonical warning, condemn such associates with a similar censure. Otherwise excommunication pronounced against these associates is not to have any binding power, and those who pronounce it may fear the penalty of the law.

Statuimus ut nullus iudicum participantes cum excommunicatis ab eo in locutione et aliis quibus ligatur participans excommunicatione minori ante commonitionem canonicam excommunicare maiori praesumat salvis constitutionibus contra illos legitime promulgatis qui in crimine praesumunt participare damnato. Quod si ex locutione et aliis quibus participans labitur in minorem excommunicaturus fortius indurescat poterit iudex post commonitionem canonicam huiusmodi participantes consimili damnare censura. Aliter autem in participantes excommunicatio prolata non teneat et proferentes poenam legitimam poterunt formidare.

 

 

 

 

22.  On excommunication 4

 

Since there is danger that bishops and their superiors in the execution of their pontifical office, which is often their duty, may incur in some case an automatic sentence of interdict or suspension, we have thought it right, after careful consideration, to decree that bishops and other higher prelates in no way incur, because of any decree, sentence or order, the aforesaid sentence by reason of the law itself, unless there is express mention in them of bishops and superiors. In the constitution Solet a nonnullis, previously promulgated by us, it is laid down that when someone offers in court to prove that a sentence of excommunication was passed against him after a legitimate appeal, he is not to be avoided during the period of proof in matters which lie outside the court, such as elections, postulations and offices. To this we add that this constitution should not be extended to the sentences of bishops and archbishops, but what was previously observed in such actions should be observed in the future for these too.

Quia periculosum est episcopis et eorum superioribus propter executionem pontificalis officii quod frequenter incumbit ut in aliquo casu interdicti vel suspensionis incurrant sententiam ipso facto nos deliberatione provida duximus statuendum ut episcopi et alii superiores praelati nullius constitutionis occasione sententiae seu mandati praedictam incurrant sententiam nullatenus ipso iure nisi in ipsis de episcopis et superioribus expressim mentio habeatur. Huic etiam adicimus sanctioni ut illud quod in constitutione solet a nonnullis a nobis hactenus promulgata fuerat constitutum ut cum aliquis se offert in iudicio probaturum post appellationem legitimam excommunicationis se sententia innodatum pendente probationis articulo in iis quae extra iudicium agitantur electionibus postulationibus officiis ac aliis actibus legitimis non debeat evitari ad episcoporum et archiepiscoporum sententias nullatenus extendatur sed illud obtineat in futurum quod olim in talibus actibus exstitit observatum.

 

 

 

 

II

 

 

 

 

 

[2.] 1.  Management of church debts

 

Our pastoral care incites and urges us to look to the interest of those churches which have fallen into debt, and to provide by a salutary constitution that this should not happen for the future. The abyss of usury has almost destroyed many churches, and some prelates are found to be very careless and remiss in the payment of debts, especially those contracted by their predecessors, too ready to contract heavier debts and mortgage the property of the church, slothful in guarding what has been acquired, and preferring to win praise for themselves by making some small innovation than to guard their possessions, recover what has been thrown away, restore what is lost and repair damage. For this reason, so that they may not be able for the future to excuse themselves for an inefficient administration and to throw the blame on their predecessors and others, we lay down the following rules, with the approval of the present council. Bishops, abbots, deans and others who exercise a lawful and common administration, within one month after they have assumed office, having first informed their immediate superior, so that he may be present either in person or through some suitable and faithful ecclesiastical person, in the presence of the chapter or convent especially summoned for this purpose, must see that an inventory is made of the goods that belong to the administration they have taken up. In this the movable and immovable goods, books, charters, legal instruments, privileges, ornaments or fittings of the church, and all things which belong to the equipment of the estate, whether urban or rural, as well as debts and credits, are to be carefully written down. Thus, what was the condition of the church or the administration when they took it up, how they governed it during their incumbency, and what was its state when they laid it down by death or withdrawal, may be clearly known to the superior, if necessary, and those who are appointed for the service of the church. Archbishops who have no superior except the Roman pontiff, are to see to it that for this purpose they summon one of their suffragans, either in person or through another, as is expressed above, and abbots and other lesser exempt prelates, a neighbouring bishop, who is to claim no right for himself in the exempt church. The said inventory is to be furnished with the seals of the new incumbent and his chapter, and of the archbishop’s suffragan or the neighbouring bishop called for the purpose. It is to be preserved in the archives of the church with due safeguards. Moreover a transcript of this inventory is to be given to both the new incumbent and the prelate summoned for the above purpose, and is to be similarly sealed.

Cura nos pastoralis sollicitat et hortatur ut lapsis consulamus ecclesiis et ne labantur in posterum provideamus constitutione salubri. Cum igitur usurarum vorago multas ecclesias paene destruxerit et nonnulli praelati circa solutionem debitorum praesertim a suis praedecessoribus contractorum negligentes inveniantur admodum et remissi ac ad contrahenda maiora debita et obligandas res ecclesiae nimis proni desides etiam in custodiendis rebus inventis malentes in propriam laudem modicum novi facere quam bona custodire dimissa recuperare deperdita restaurare ac resarcire ruinas nos ne de cetero se de administratione minus utili excusare ac in praedecessores sive alios fundere valeant culpam suam praesentis concilii approbatione sancimus ut pontifices abbates decani ceteri que legitimam et communem administrationem gerentes infra unum mensem postquam administrationem adierint intimato prius proximo superiori ut per se. Vel per aliquam personam ecclesiasticam idoneam et fidelem intersit praesentibus que capitulo vel conventu propter hoc specialiter evocatis inventarium rerum administrationis susceptae confici faciant in quo mobilia et immobilia libri chartae instrumenta privilegia ornamenta seu paramenta ecclesiastica et cuncta quae ad instructionem urbani fundi seu rustici pertinent necnon debita ac credita diligentissime conscribantur ut in quo statu ecclesiam vel administrationem susceperint et procedente tempore gubernarint ac in morte vel cessione dimiserint per superiorem si necesse fuerit et eos qui sunt ecclesiarum deputati servitiis liquido cognoscatur. Archiepiscopi vero qui praeter Romanum pontificem superiorem non habent aliquem ex suffraganeis ut personaliter vel per alium ut est expressum superius et abbates ac alii praelati minores exempti unum vicinum episcopum qui nihil iuris in exempta ecclesia sibi vindicet ad id studeant evocare dictum que inventarium tam substituti praelati quam sui collegii necnon et superioris suffraganei seu vicini episcopi ad hoc vocatorum muniatur sigillis in archivis ecclesiae cum cautela debita conservandum et nihilominus inventarii eiusdem transcriptum tam idem institutus quam praelatus ad hoc vocatus penes se habeat simile sigillatum.

Existing goods are to be carefully guarded, their administration carried out in a worthy manner, and the debts which have been found are to be speedily paid, if possible, from the movable possessions of the church. If these movable goods are not sufficient for a speedy payment, all revenues are to be directed to the payment of debts that are usurious or burdensome; only necessary expenses are to be deducted from these revenues, after a reasonable estimate has been made by the prelate and his chapter. But if the debts are not burdensome or usurious, a third part of these revenues is to be set aside for this obligation, or a greater part with the agreement of those whom we have said must be summoned to take the inventory.

Inventa quoque custodiantur fideliter et de ipsis administratio digna geratur et comperta debita de mobilibus ecclesiae si fieri potest cum celeritate solvantur. Si vero mobilia non sufficiant ad solutionem celerem faciendam omnes proventus in solutionem convertantur debitorum quae usuraria fuerint vel etiam onerosa deductis de ipsis proventibus expensis dumtaxat necessariis praelato collegio que rationabiliter computandis. Si autem debita non fuerint onerosa vel usuraria tertia pars eorundem proventuum vel maior cum illorum consilio quos ad conficiendum inventarium vocandos diximus pro satisfactione huiusmodi deputentur.

Further we strictly forbid, with the authority of the same council, those mentioned above to mortgage to others their persons or the churches entrusted to them, or to contract debts on behalf of themselves or the churches which may be a source of trouble. If evident necessity and the reasonable advantage of their churches should persuade them, then prelates with the advice and consent of their superiors, and archbishops and exempt abbots with the advice and consent of those already mentioned and of their chapter, may contract debts which, if possible, are not usurious and which are never in fairs or public markets. The names of the debtors and creditors and the reason why the debt was contracted are to be included in the written contract, even if it is turned to the advantage of the church, and for this purpose we wish that in no way ecclesiastical persons or churches should be given as security. Indeed the privileges of churches, which we command should be faithfully guarded in a safe place, are never to be given as securities, nor are other things, except for necessary and useful debts contracted with the full legal forms mentioned above.

Porro eiusdem concilii auctoritate firmiter inhibemus ne praedicti personas suas vel ecclesias sibi commissas pro aliis obligent nec pro se vel ipsis ecclesiis contrahant debita quibus possit imminere gravamen. Si vero evidens urgeat necessitas vel ecclesiarum rationabilis suadeat utilitas praelati cum superiorum archiepiscopi et abbates exempti cum praedictorum collegiorum que suorum concilio et consensu debita non usuraria si potest fieri nunquam tamen in nundinis vel mercatis publicis contrahant et contractuum litteris debitorum et creditorum nomina et causas quare contrahatur debitum etiam si in utilitatem ecclesiae sit conversum et ad id personas ecclesiasticas vel ecclesias nullatenus volumus obligari. Privilegia siquidem ecclesiarum quae securo loco fideliter custodiri mandamus nequaquam pignori obligentur nec etiam res aliae nisi forte pro necessariis et utilibus debitis cum praedicta solemnitate contractis.

That this salutary constitution should be kept unbroken, and the advantage which we hope from it may be clearly seen, we consider that we must lay down by an inviolable decree that all abbots and priors as well as deans and those in charge of cathedrals or other churches, at least once a year in their chapters, should render a strict account of their administration, and a written and sealed account should be faithfully read out in the presence of the visiting superior. Likewise archbishops and bishops are to take care each year to make known to their chapters with due fidelity the state of administration of the goods belonging to their households, and bishops to their metropolitans, and metropolitans to the legates of the apostolic see, or to others to whom the visitation of their churches has been assigned by the same see. Written accounts are always to be kept in the treasury of the church for a record, so that in the accounts a careful comparison can be made between future years and the present and past; and the superior may learn from this the care or negligence of the administration. Let the superior requite any negligence, keeping God only before his eyes and putting aside love, hate and fear of humans, with such a degree and kind of correction that he may not on this account receive from God or his superior or the apostolic see condign punishment. We order that this constitution is to be observed not only by future prelates but also by those already promoted.

Ut autem haec salubris constitutio inviolabiliter observetur et fructus appareat quem ex ipsa provenire speramus ordinandum duximus et irrefragabiliter statuendum quod omnes abbates et priores necnon et decani vel praepositi cathedralium seu aliarum ecclesiarum semel saltem in anno in ipsorum collegiis districtam suae administrationis faciant rationem et coram superiore visitante conscripta et consignata huiusmodi ratio fideliter recitetur. Archiepiscopi vero et episcopi statum administrationis bonorum ad mensam propriam pertinentium similiter singulis annis capitulis suis et nihilominus episcopi metropolitanis et metropolitani legatis apostolicae sedis vel aliis quibus fuerit ab eadem sede suarum ecclesiarum visitatio delegata insinuare debita fidelitate procurent. Computationes vero conscriptae semper in thesauro ecclesiae ad memoriam reserventur ut in computatione annorum sequentium praeteriti temporis et instantis diligens habeatur collatio ex qua superior administrantis diligentiam vel negligentiam comprehendat quam siquidem negligentiam solum deum habens prae oculis hominis amore odio vel timore postpositis tanta et tali animadversione castiget quod nec a deo nec a suo superiori vel sede apostolica mereatur propter hoc recipere ultionem. Non solum autem a futuris praelatis sed etiam a iam promotis praesentem constitutionem praecipimus observari.

 

 

 

 

[2.] 2.  On help for the empire of Constantinople

 

Though we are engaged in difficult matters and distracted by manifold anxieties, yet among those things which demand our constant attention is the liberation of the empire of Constantinople. This we desire with our whole heart, this is ever the object of our thoughts. Yet though the apostolic see has eagerly sought a remedy on its behalf by earnest endeavour and many forms of assistance, though for long Catholics have striven by grievous toils, by burdensome expense, by care, sweat, tears and bloodshed, yet the hand that extended such aid could not wholly, hindered by sin, snatch the empire from the yoke of the enemy. Thus not without cause we are troubled with grief. But because the body of the church would be shamefully deformed by the lack of a loved member, namely the aforesaid empire, and be sadly weakened and suffer loss; and because it could rightly be assigned to our sloth and that of the church, if it were deprived of the support of the faithful, and left to be freely oppressed by its enemies; we firmly propose to come to the help of the empire with swift and effective aid. Thus at the same time as the church eagerly rises to its assistance and stretches out the hand of defence, the empire can be saved from the dominion of its foes, and be brought back by the Lord’s guidance to the unity of that same body, and may feel after the crushing hammer of its enemies the consoling hand of the church its mother, and after the blindness of error regain its sight by the possession of the catholic faith. It is the more fitting that prelates of churches and other ecclesiastics should be watchful and diligent for its liberation, and bestow their help and assistance, the more they are bound to work for the increase of the faith and of ecclesiastical liberty, which could chiefly come about from the liberation of the empire; and especially because while the empire is helped, assistance is consequently rendered to the holy Land.

Arduis mens nostra occupata negotiis curis que distracta diversis inter cetera circa quae attentionis invigilat oculo ad constantinopolitani liberationem imperii suae considerationis aciem specialiter dirigit hanc ardenti desiderio concupiscit erga eam iugi cogitatione versatur et licet apostolica sedes pro ipsa grandis diligentiae studio et multiplicis subventionis remedio ferventer institerit ac diu catholici non sine gravibus laboribus et onerosis sumptibus anxiis que sudoribus et deflenda sanguinis effusione certarint nec tanti auxilii dextera imperium ipsum totaliter de inimicorum iugo potuerit impedientibus peccatis eripere propter quod non immerito dolore turbamur. Quia tamen ecclesiae corpus ex membri causa cari videlicet imperii praefati carentia notam probrosae deformitatis incurreret et sustineret debilitatis dolendae iacturam posset que digne nostrae ac ipsius ecclesiae desidiae imputari si fidelium destitueretur suffragio et relinqueretur hostibus libere opprimendum firma intentione proponimus eidem imperio efficaci et celeri subsidio subvenire ut ecclesia ferventi ad illius exurgente succursum manum que porrigente munitam imperium ipsum de adversariorum dominio erui valeat et reduci auctore domino ad eiusdem corporis unitatem sentiat que post conterentem inimicorum malleum dexteram matris ecclesiae consolantem et post assertionis erroneae caecitatem visum catholicae fidei possessione resumat. Ad liberationem autem ipsius eo magis ecclesiarum praelatos alios que viros ecclesiasticos vigiles et intentos exsistere ac opem et operam convenit exhibere quo amplius eiusdem fidei et ecclesiasticae libertatis augmentum quod per liberationem huiusmodi principaliter proveniret procurare tenentur. Maxime quia dum praedicto subvenitur imperio consequenter subsidium impenditur terrae sanctae.

Indeed, so that the help to the empire may be speedy and useful, we decree, with the general approval of the council, that half of all incomes of dignities parsonages and ecclesiastical prebends, and of other benefices of ecclesiastics who do not personally reside in them for at least six months, whether they hold one or more, shall be assigned in full for three years to the help of the said empire, having been collected by those designated by the apostolic see. Those are exempt who are employed in our service or in that of our brother cardinals and of their prelates, those who are on pilgrimages or in schools, or engaged in the business of their own churches at their direction, and those who have or will take up the badge of the cross for the aid of the holy Land or who will set out in person to the help of the said empire; but if any of these, apart from the crusaders and those setting out, receive from ecclesiastical revenues more than a hundred silver marks, they should pay a third part of the remainder in each of the three years. This is to be observed notwithstanding any customs or statutes of churches to the contrary, or any indulgences granted by the apostolic see to these churches or persons, confirmed by oath or any other means. And if by chance in this matter any shall knowingly be guilty of any deceit, they shall incur the sentence of excommunication.

Sane ut festina fiat et utilis imperio praefato subventio ex communi concilii approbatione statuimus ut medietas omnium proventuum tam dignitatum et personatuum quam praebendarum ecclesiasticarum aliorum que beneficiorum ecclesiasticarum personarum illarum quae in ipsis residentiam non faciunt personalem per sex menses ad minus sive unum habeant sive plura eis qui nostris et fratrum nostrorum ac suorum praelatorum immorantur obsequiis aut sunt in peregrinatione vel scholis seu ecclesiarum suarum negotia de ipsorum mandato procurant aut assumpserunt vel assument crucis signaculum in praedictae terrae vel personaliter in eiusdem imperii proficiscentur succursum exceptis et si. Aliqui eorundem exceptorum praeter huiusmodi crucesignatos et proficiscentes de reditibus ecclesiasticis ultra valentiam centum marcarum argenti percipiunt annuatim tertia pars residui ipsius imperii subsidio colligenda per eos qui ad hoc apostolica fuerint ordinati providentia usque ad triennium integre deputentur non obstantibus quibuscumque consuetudinibus vel statutis ecclesiarum seu quibuslibet indulgentiis ipsis ecclesiis vel personis ab apostolica sede concessis iuramento aut quacunque firmitate alia roboratis. Et si forte super hoc fraudem scienter commiserint sententiam excommunicationis incurrant.

We ourselves, from the revenues of the church of Rome, after first deducting a tenth from them to be assigned to the aid of the holy Land, will assign a tenth part in full for the support of the said empire. Further, when help is given to the empire, assistance is given in a very particular way and directed to the recovery of the holy Land, while we are striving for the liberation of the empire itself. Thus trusting in the mercy of almighty God and the authority of his blessed apostles Peter and Paul, from the power of binding and loosing which he conferred upon us though unworthy, we grant pardon of their sins to all those who come to the help of the said empire, and we desire they may enjoy that privilege and immunity which is granted to those who come to the help of the holy Land.

Nos vero de obventionibus ecclesiae Romanae deducta prius ex eis decima succursu terrae deputanda praedictae decimam pro dicti subventione imperii plenarie tribuemus. Porro cum idem iuvatur imperium auxilium praestatur potissime ipsi terrae ac ad recuperationem eius praecipue insistitur dum ad ipsius liberationem imperii laboratur de omnipotentis dei misericordia et beatorum Petri et Pauli apostolorum eius auctoritate confisi ex illa quam nobis licet indignis ligandi atque solvendi contulit potestate omnibus eidem imperio succurrentibus illam suorum peccaminum veniam indulgemus ipsos que illo privilegio ea que volumus immunitate gaudere quae praedictae terrae subvenientibus conceduntur.

 

 

 

 

[2.] 3.  Admonition to be made by prelates to the people in their charge

 

In the belief that it is for ever our native country, from times long past all the children of the church have not only poured out countless sums of money but have also freely shed their blood to recover the holy Land, which the Son of God has consecrated with the shedding of his own blood. This we learn, sad at heart, from what has happened across the sea where the unbelievers fight against the faithful. Since it is the special prayer of the apostolic see that the desire of all for the redemption of the holy Land may, if God so wills, be speedily accomplished, we have made due provision, in order to win God’s favour, to arouse you to this task by our letter. Therefore we earnestly beg all of you, commanding you in our lord Jesus Christ, that by your pious admonitions you should persuade the faithful committed to your care, in your sermons or when you Impose a penance upon them, granting a special indulgence, as you see it to be expedient, that in their wills, in return for the remission of their sins, they should leave something for the help of the holy Land or the eastern empire. You are carefully to provide that what they give for this support by way of money, through reverence of our crucified Lord, is faithfully preserved in definite places under your seal, and that what is bequeathed for this purpose in other forms is accurately recorded in writing. May your own devotion carry out this work of piety, in which the only aim is God’s cause and the salvation of the faithful, so readily that with full assurance you may look at least for the reward of glory from the hand of the divine judge.

Perennis obtentu patriae a longis retro temporibus pro redimenda terra quam dei filius aspersione sui sanguinis consecravit universitas filiorum ecclesiae non solum expensas innumeras sed inaestimabilem cruoris affluentiam noscitur effudisse sicut ex eo moesti corde colligimus quod pridem contra fideles pugnantibus impiis accidit in partibus transmarinis. Verum cum propter hoc sit in sedis apostolicae voto potissimum ut de ipsius redemptione terrae communis desiderii cito deo propitio proveniat complementum digne providimus ut ad procurandum dei favorem negotio vos nostris litteris excitemus. Rogamus itaque universos vos et obsecramus in domino Iesu Christo mandantes quatenus singuli vestrum fideles populos vestrae curae commissos in vestris praedicationibus vel quando poenitentiam ipsis iniungitis piis monitis inducatis concessa super hoc prout expedire videritis indulgentia speciali ut in testamentis quae pro tempore fecerint aliquid in terrae sanctae vel imperii Romaniae subsidium pro suorum peccaminum remissione relinquant attentius provisuri ut quod ipsi ad crucifixi reverentiam habendo respectum in pecunia pro huiusmodi subventione dederint in certis locis sub sigillis vestris conservari fideliter et illa quae in rebus aliis ad hoc legata fuerint diligenter in scriptis redigi faciatis. Hoc autem pietatis opus in quo sola causa dei quaeritur et salus fidelium procuratur sic vestra sinceritas promptis prosequatur affectibus ut tandem securi de manu superni iudicis caelestis gloriae praemium expectetis.

 

 

 

 

[2.] 4.  On the Tartars

 

Since we desire above all things that the christian religion should be spread still further and more widely throughout the world, we are pierced with the deepest sorrow when any people by aim and action go against our wishes, and strive with all their might to blot out utterly this religion from the face of the world. Indeed the wicked race of the Tartars, seeking to subdue, or rather utterly destroy the christian people, having gathered for a long time past the strength of all their tribes, have entered Poland, Russia, Hungary and other christian countries. So savage has been their devastation that their sword spared neither sex nor age, but raged with fearful brutality upon all alike. It caused unparalleled havoc and destruction in these countries in its unbroken advance; for their sword, not knowing how to rest in the sheath, made other kingdoms subject to it by a ceaseless persecution. As time went on, it could attack stronger christian armies and exercise its savagery more fully upon them. Thus when, God forbid, the world is bereaved of the faithful, faith may turn aside from the world to lament its followers destroyed by the barbarity of this people. Therefore, so that the horrible purpose of this people may not prevail but be thwarted, and by the power of God be brought to the opposite result, all the faithful must carefully consider and ensure by their earnest endeavour that the Tartar advance may be hindered and prevented from penetrating any further by the power of their mailed arm. Therefore, on the advice of the holy council, we advise, beg, urge and earnestly command all of you, as far as you can, carefully to observe the route and approaches by which this people can enter our land, and by ditches, walls or other defences and fortifications, as you think fitting, to keep them at bay, so that their approach to you may not easily be open. Word of their arrival should previously be brought to the apostolic see. Thus we may direct the assistance of the faithful to you, and thus you may be safe against the attempts and raids of this people. For to the necessary and useful expenses which you should make for that purpose, we shall contribute handsomely, and we shall see that contributions are made in proportion by all christian countries, for in this way we may meet common dangers. Nevertheless, in addition to this, we shall send similar letters to all Christians through whose territories this people could make its approach.

Christianae religionis cultum longius latius que per orbem diffundi super omnia cupientes inaestimabilis doloris telo transfodimur si quando aliqui sic nostro in hac parte obviant desiderio affectu contrario et effectu quod ipsum cultum delere penitus de terrae superficie omni studio tota que potentia moliuntur. Sane Tartarorum gens impia christianum populum subiugare sibi vel potius perimere appetens collectis iam dudum suarum viribus nationum Poloniam Rusciam Ungariam alias que christianorum regiones ingressa sic in eas depopulatrix insaevit ut gladio eius nec aetati parcente nec sexui sed in omnes indifferenter crudelitate horribili debacchante inaudito ipsas exterminio devastarit ac aliorum regna continuato progressu illa sibi eodem in vagina otiari gladio nesciente incessabili persecutione substernit ut subsequenter in robore fortiores exercitus christianos invadens suam plenius in ipsos possit saevitiam exercere sic que orbato quod absit fidelibus orbe fides exorbitet dum sublatos sibi gemuerit ipsius gentis feritate cultores. Ne igitur tam detestanda gentis eiusdem intentio proficere valeat sed deficiat auctore deo potius et contrario concludatur eventu ab universis christicolis attenta est consideratione pensandum et procurandum studio diligenti ut sic illius impediatur processus quod nequeat ad ipsos ulterius quantumcumque potenti armato brachio pertransire. Ideo que sacro suadente concilio universos vos monemus rogamus et hortamur attente mandantes quatenus viam et aditus unde in terram nostram gens ipsa posset ingredi solertissime perscrutantes illos fossatis et muris seu aliis aedificiis aut artificiis prout expedire videritis taliter praemunire curetis quod eiusdem gentis ad vos ingressus patere de facili nequeat. Sed prius apostolicae sedi suus denuntiari possit adventus ut ea vobis fidelium destinante succursum contra conatus et insultus gentis ipsius tuti esse adiutore domino valeatis. Nos enim in tam necessariis et utilibus expensis quas ob id feceritis contribuemus magnifice ac ab omnibus christianorum regionibus cum per hoc occurratur communibus periculis proportionaliter contribui faciemus et nihilominus super his aliis christifidelibus per quorum partes habere posset aditum gens praedicta litteras praesentibus similes destinamus.

 

 

 

 

[2.] 5 [On the crusade]

 

Deeply sorrowful at the grievous dangers of the holy Land, but especially at those which have recently happened to the faithful settled there, we seek with all our heart to free it from the hands of the wicked. Thus with the approval of the sacred council, in order that the crusaders may prepare themselves, we lay it down that at an opportune time, to be made known to all the faithful by preachers and our special envoys, all who are ready to cross the sea should gather at suitable places for this purpose, so that they may proceed from there with the blessing of God and the apostolic see to the assistance of the holy Land. Priests and other clerics who will be in the christian army, both those under authority and prelates, shall diligently devote themselves to prayer and exhortation, teaching the crusaders by word and example to have the fear and love of God always before their eyes, so that they say or do nothing that might offend the majesty of the eternal king. If they ever fall into sin, let them quickly rise up again through true penitence. Let them he humble in heart and in body, keeping to moderation both in food and in dress, avoiding altogether dissensions and rivalries, and putting aside entirely any bitterness or envy, so that thus armed with spiritual and material weapons they may the more fearlessly fight against the enemies of the faith, relying not on their own power but rather trusting in the strength of God. Let nobles and the powerful in the army, and all who abound in riches, be led by the holy words of prelates so that, with their eyes fixed on the crucified one for whom they have taken up the badge of the cross, they may refrain from useless and unnecessary expenditure, especially in feasting and banquets, and let they give a share of their wealth to the support of those persons through whom the work of God may prosper; and on this account, according to the dispensation of the prelates themselves, they may be granted remission of their sins. We grant to the aforesaid clerics that they may receive the fruits of their benefices in full for three years, as if they were resident in the churches, and if necessary they may leave them in pledge for the same time.

Afflicti corde pro deplorandis terrae sanctae periculis sed pro illis praecipue quae constitutis in ipsa fidelibus noscuntur noviter accidisse ad liberandum ipsam deo propitio de impiorum manibus totis affectibus aspiramus diffinientes sacro approbante concilio ut ita crucesignati se praeparent quod opportuno tempore universis insinuando fidelibus per praedicatores et nostros nuntios speciales omnes qui disposuerint transfretare in locis idoneis ad hoc conveniant. De quibus in eiusdem terrae subsidium cum divina et apostolica benedictione procedant. Sacerdotes autem et alii clerici qui fuerint in exercitu christiano tam subditi quam praelati orationi et exhortationi diligenter insistant docentes eos verbo pariter et exemplo ut timorem et amorem domini semper habeant ante oculos ne quid dicant aut faciant quod aeterni regis maiestatem offendat. Et si quando in peccatum lapsi fuerint per veram poenitentiam mox resurgant gerentes humilitatem cordis et corporis et tam in victu quam in vestitu mediocritatem servantes dissensiones et aemulationes omnino vitando rancore ac livore a se penitus relegatis ut sic spiritualibus et materialibus armis muniti adversus hostes fidei securius praelientur non de sua praesumentes potentia sed de divina virtute sperantes. Nobiles quidem et potentes exercitus ac omnes divitiis abundantes piis praelatorum monitis inducantur ut intuitu crucifixi pro quo crucis signaculum assumpserunt ab expensis inutilibus et superfluis sed ab illis praecipue quae fiunt in comessationibus et conviviis abstinentes eas commutent in personarum illarum subsidium per quas dei negotium valeat prosperari et eis propter hoc iuxta praelatorum ipsorum providentiam peccatorum suorum indulgentia tribuatur. Praedictis autem clericis indulgemus ut beneficia sua integre percipiant per triennium ac essent in ecclesiis residentes et si necesse fuerit ea per idem tempus valeant pignori obligare.

To prevent this holy proposal being impeded or delayed, we strictly order all prelates of churches, each in his own locality, diligently to warn and induce those who have abandoned the cross to resume it, and them and others who have taken up the cross, and those who may still do so, to carry out their vows to the Lord. And if necessary they shall compel them to do this without any backsliding, by sentences of excommunication against their persons and of interdict on their lands, excepting only those persons who find themselves faced with an impediment of such a kind that their vow deservedly ought to be commuted or deferred in accordance with the directives of the apostolic see. In order that nothing connected with this business of Jesus Christ be omitted, we will and order patriarchs, archbishops, bishops, abbots and others who have the care of souls to preach the cross zealously to those entrusted to them. Let them beseech kings, dukes, princes, margraves, counts, barons and other magnates, as well as the communes of cities, vills and towns -- in the name of the Father, Son and holy Spirit, the one, only, true and eternal God -- that those who do not go in person to the aid of the holy Land should contribute, according to their means an appropriate number of fighting men together with their necessary expenses for three years, for the remission of their sins, in accordance with what has already been explained in general letters and will be explained below for still greater assurance. We wish to share in this remission not only those who contribute ships of their own but also those who are zealous enough to build them for this purpose. To those who refuse, if there happen to be any who are so ungrateful to our lord God, we firmly declare in the name of the apostle that they should know that they will have to answer to us for this on the last day of final judgment before the fearful judge. Let them consider beforehand, however, with what knowledge and with what security it was that they were able to confess before the only-begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, to whom the Father gave all things into his hands, if in this business, which is as it were peculiarly his, they refuse to serve him who was crucified for sinners, by whose beneficence they are sustained and indeed by whose blood they have been redeemed.

Ne igitur hoc sanctum propositum impediri vel retardari contingat universis ecclesiarum praelatis districte praecipimus ut singuli per loca sua illos qui signum crucis deposuerunt resumere ac tam ipsos quam alios crucesignatos et quos adhuc signari contigerit ad reddendum domino vota sua diligentius moneant et inducant et si necesse fuerit per excommunicationis in personas et interdicti sententias in terras ipsorum omni tergiversatione cessante compellant. Ad haec ne quid in negotio Iesu Christi de contingentibus omittatur volumus et mandamus ut patriarchae archiepiscopi episcopi abbates et alii qui curam obtinent animarum studiose proponant commissis sibi populis verbum crucis obsecrantes per patrem et filium et spiritum sanctum unum solum verum aeternum deum reges duces principes marchiones comites et barones alios que magnates necnon communia civitatum villarum et oppidorum ut qui personaliter non accesserint in subsidium terrae sanctae competentem conferant numerum bellatorum cum expensis ad triennium necessariis secundum proprias facultates in remissionem suorum peccaminum prout in generalibus litteris quas pridem per orbem terrae misimus est expressum et ad maiorem cautelam inferius etiam exprimetur. Huius enim remissionis volumus esse participes non solum eos qui ad hoc naves proprias exhibebunt sed illos etiam qui propter hoc opus naves studuerint fabricare. Renuentibus autem si qui forte tam ingrati fuerint domino deo nostro ex parte apostolica firmiter protestemur ut se sciant super hoc nobis in novissimo districti examinis die coram tremendo iudice responsuros prius tamen considerantes qua scientia qua ve securitate comparere poterunt coram unigenito dei filio Iesu Christo cui omnia dedit pater in manus si ei pro peccatoribus crucifixo servire renuerint in hoc negotio quasi proprie sibi proprio cuius munere vivunt cuius beneficio sustentantur quin etiam cuius sanguine sunt redempti.

We therefore decree, with the general approval of the council, that all clerics, both those under authority and prelates, shall give a twentieth of the revenues of their churches for a full three years to the aid of the holy Land, by means of the persons appointed by the apostolic see for this purpose; the only exceptions being certain religious who are rightly to be exempted from this taxation and likewise those persons who have taken or will take the cross and so will go in person. We and our brothers, cardinals of the holy Roman church, shall pay a full tenth. Let all know, moreover, that they are obliged to observe this faithfully under pain of excommunication, so that those who knowingly deceive in this matter shall incur the sentence of excommunication. Because it is right that those who persevere in the service of the heavenly ruler should in all justice enjoy special privilege, the crusaders shall therefore be exempt from taxes or levies and other burdens. We take their persons and goods under the protection of St Peter and ourself once they have taken up the cross. We ordain that they are to be protected by archbishops, bishops and all prelates of the church of God, and that protectors of their own are to be specially appointed for this purpose, so that their goods are to remain intact and undisturbed until they are known for certain to be dead or to have returned. If anyone dares to act contrary to this, let him be curbed by ecclesiastical censure.

Ceterum ex communi concilii approbatione statuimus ut omnes omnino clerici tam subditi quam praelati vigesimam ecclesiarum proventuum usque ad triennium integre conferant in subsidium terrae sanctae per manus eorum qui ad hoc apostolica fuerint providentia ordinati quibusdam dumtaxat religiosis exceptis ab hac praestatione merito eximendis illis que similiter qui assumpto vel assumendo crucis signaculo sunt personaliter profecturi. Nos et fratres nostri sanctae Romanae ecclesiae cardinales plenarie decimam persolvemus sciant que se omnes ad hoc fideliter observandum per excommunicationis sententiam obligatos ita quod illi qui super hoc fraudem scienter commiserint sententiam excommunicationis incurrant. Sane quia iusto iudicio coelestis imperatoris obsequiis inhaerentes speciali decet praerogativa gaudere crucesignati a collectis vel talliis aliis que gravaminibus sint immunes quorum personas et bona post crucem assumptam sub beati Petri et nostra protectione suscipimus statuentes ut sub archiepiscoporum episcoporum et omnium praelatorum ecclesiae dei defensione consistant propriis nihilominus protectoribus ad hoc specialiter deputandis ita ut donec de ipsorum reditu vel obitu certissime cognoscatur integra maneant et quieta et si quisquam contra praesumpserit per censuras ecclesiasticas compescatur.

If any of those setting out are bound by oath to pay interest, we ordain that their creditors shall be compelled by the same punishment to release them from their oath and to desist from exacting the interest; if any of the creditors does force them to pay the interest, we command that he be forced by similar punishment to restore it. We order that Jews be compelled by the secular power to remit interest, and that until they do so all intercourse shall be denied them by all Christ’s faithful under pain of excommunication. Secular princes shall provide a suitable deferral for those who cannot now pay their debts to Jews, so that after they have undertaken the journey, and until there is certain knowledge of their death or of their return, they shall not incur the inconvenience of paying interest. The Jews shall be compelled to add to the capital, after they have deducted their necessary expenses, the revenues which they are meanwhile receiving from property held by them on security. For, such a benefit seems to entail not much loss, inasmuch as it postpones the repayment but does not cancel the debt. Prelates of churches who are negligent in showing justice to crusaders and their families should know that they will be severely punished.

Si qui vero proficiscentium illuc ad praestandas usuras iuramento tenentur adstricti creditores eorum ut eis remittant praestitum iuramentum et ab usurarum exactione desistant eadem praecipimus districtione compelli. Quod si quisquam creditorum eos ad solutionem coegerit usurarum eum ad restitutionem earum simili cogi animadversione mandamus. Iudaeos vero ad remittendas usuras per saecularem compelli praecipimus potestatem et donec illas remiserint ab universis christifidelibus per excommunicationis sententiam eis omnino communio denegetur. Iis qui Iudaeis nequeunt solvere debita in praesenti sic principes saeculares utili dilatione provideant quod post iter arreptum quousque de ipsorum reditu vel obitu cognoscatur usurarum incommoda non incurrant compulsis Iudaeis proventus pignorum quos ipsi interim perceperint in sortem expensis deductis necessariis computare cum huiusmodi beneficium non multum videatur habere dispendii quod solutionem sic prorogat quod debitum non absorbet. Porro ecclesiarum praelati qui in exhibenda iustitia crucesignatis et eorum familiis negligentes exstiterint sciant se graviter puniendos.

Furthermore, since corsairs and pirates greatly impede help for the holy Land, by capturing and plundering those who are travelling to and from it, we bind with the bond of excommunication them and their principal helpers and supporters. We forbid anyone, under threat of anathema, knowingly to communicate with them by contracting to buy or to sell; and we order rulers of cities and their territories to restrain and curb such persons from this iniquity. Otherwise, since to be unwilling to disquiet evildoers is none other than to encourage them, and since he who fails to oppose a manifest crime is not without a touch of secret complicity, it is our wish and command that prelates of churches exercise ecclesiastical severity against their persons and lands. We excommunicate and anathematise, moreover, those false and impious Christians who, in opposition to Christ and the christian people, convey  arms and iron and timber for galleys; and we decree that those who sell them galleys or ships, and those who act as pilots in pirate Saracen ships, or give them any help or advice by way of machines or anything else, to the detriment of the holy Land, are to be punished with deprivation of their possessions and are to become the slaves of those who capture them. We order this sentence to be renewed publicly on Sundays and feast-days in all maritime towns; and the bosom of the church is not to be opened to such persons unless they send in aid of the holy Land all that they received from this damnable commerce and the same amount of their own, so that they are punished in proportion to their sins. If perchance they do not pay, they are to be punished in other ways in order that through their punishment others may be deterred from venturing upon similar rash actions. In addition, we prohibit and on pain of anathema forbid all Christians, for four years, to send or take their ships across to the lands of the Saracens who dwell in the east, so that by this a greater supply of shipping may be made ready for those wanting to cross over to help the holy Land, and so that the aforesaid Saracens may be deprived of the not inconsiderable help which they have been accustomed to receiving from this.

 

Although tournaments have been forbidden in a general way on pain of a fixed penalty at various councils, we strictly forbid them to be held for three years, under pain of excommunication, because the business of the crusade is much hindered by them at this present time. Because it is of the utmost necessity for the carrying out of this business that rulers and christian peoples keep peace with each other, we therefore ordain, on the advice of this holy and general synod, that peace be generally kept in the whole christian world for four years, so that those in conflict shall be brought by the prelates of churches to conclude a definitive peace or to observe inviolably a firm truce. Those who refuse to comply shall be most strictly compelled to do so by an excommunication against their persons and an interdict on their lands, unless the malice of the wrongdoers is so great that they ought not to enjoy peace. If it happens that they make light of the church’s censure, they may deservedly fear that the secular power will be invoked by ecclesiastical authority against them, as disturbers of the business of him who was crucified.

 

We therefore, trusting in the mercy of almighty God and in the authority of the blessed apostles Peter and Paul, do grant, by the power of binding and loosing that God has conferred upon us, albeit unworthy, unto all those who undertake this work in person and at their own expense, full pardon for their sins about which they are heartily contrite and have spoken in confession, and we promise them an increase of eternal life at the recompensing of the just. To those who do not go there in person but send suitable men at their own expense, according to their means and status, and likewise to those who go in person but at others’ expense, we grant full pardon for their sins. We grant to share in this remission, according to the amount of their help and the intensity of their devotion, all who shall contribute suitably from their goods to the aid of the said Land or who give useful advice and help regarding the above. Finally, this holy and general synod imparts the benefit of its prayers and blessings to all who piously set out on this enterprise in order that it may contribute worthily to their salvation.

 


 

[1] Pope Innocent IV

[2] F(rederick) added in P

[3] Pope Gregory IX (1227-1241)

[4] Peter of Colmeiu, cardinal 1244-1253

[5] William of Savoy, cardinal 1244-1251

[6] William of Talliante, cardinal 1244-1250

[7] On 3 May 1241

[8] Baldwin II, Latin emperor in the east (d. 1261)

[9] Gregory of Crescentio, cardinal 1205-1226

[10] Pope Innocent III (1198-1216)

[11] Honorius III (1216-1227)

[12] Otto of Montferrat, cardinal 1227-1251

[13] James of Pecoraria, cardinal 1231-1244

[14] John Halgrin, cardinal 1227-1238

[15] Thomas de Episcopo, cardinal 1216-1243

[16] Ludwig I, duke of Bavaria (1183-1231)

[17] John III Vatatzes, Greek emperor in the east (1222-1254)

 


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