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Summary. The sacraments must be
administered freely. The bishops should exhort the people to retain pious
customs.
Text. It has frequently come
to the ears of the Apostolic See that some clerics demand and extort money for
burials, nuptial blessings, and similar things, and, if perchance their
cupidity is not given satisfaction, they fraudulently interpose fictitious
impediments. On the other hand, some laymen, under the pretext of piety but
really on heretical grounds, strive to suppress a laudable custom introduced by
the pious devotion of the faithful in behalf of the church (that is, of giving
freely something for ecclesiastical services rendered). Wherefore, we forbid
that such evil exactions be made in these matters, and on the other hand
command that pious customs be observed, decreeing that the sacraments of the
Church be administered freely and that those who endeavor maliciously to change
a laudable custom be restrained by the bishops of the locality when once the
truth is known.
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