[On setting a date for those acknowledging the Pragmatic Sanction]
Leo, bishop, servant of the servants of God, with the approval of the sacred
council, for an everlasting record. Among other matters to be carried through
in this sacred council, we especially desire to make known and proclaim what
must be decided and announced concerning the sanction called the Pragmatic,
which was issued by a number of leaders of the French nation, both clerics and
laymen as well as nobles and others supporting them. This is in accordance with
the wishes of our predecessor pope Julius II, of happy memory, who summoned
this council. The prelates and other clergy and the aforesaid laity have been
summoned on several occasions to appear before both our said predecessor,
Julius, and ourself; and their obstinacy has quite often been alleged or been
the subject of accusations in the said council. It was subsequently alleged on
behalf of the prelates, clerics and laymen, including nobles, and their said
supporters, who were legitimately summoned (as just stated) for this purpose,
that there was no route which would allow them to travel in safety to the said
council. In order that they may not be able to make this excuse, we have taken
measures for a comprehensive safe-conduct to be granted and conveyed to them by
the Genoans, through whose territory they can travel in safety to the Roman
curia, so that they may be able to bring forward the views which they may wish
to present in defence of this Pragmatic Sanction .
To prevent them being able to bring up some further point against what has
been set out and to claim a legitimate ignorance, and in order that their
obstinacy may be overcome, we once again, with the approval of the sacred
council, give notice and warning, regarding a final and definitive dead-line,
to the clergy and laity, including nobles, prelates and their supporters, and
to colleges of clerics and of seculars, that they must lawfully assemble
(putting aside every excuse and delaying action) before I October next. We are
extending the dead-line, for the aforesaid reasons and in order to remove all
excuses, to the said I October, by way of a final postponement; and we grant
and assign this anew. Once the dead-line has passed, however, proceedings will
go forward at the next session to other matters and to the conclusion of the
said business, even by means of a definitive sentence, notwithstanding their
obstinacy and refusal to appear. This next eleventh session we summon for these
and many other useful matters. with the approval of the sacred council, for 14
December after the next feast day of St Lucy. Let nobody therefore ... If
anyone however .. .
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