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Summary. The council approves
the existing order of the patriarchal sees and affirm, three of their
privileges: their bishops may confer the pallium and may have the cross borne
before them, and appeals may be taken to them.
Text. Renewing the ancient
privileges of the patriarchal sees, we decree with the approval of the holy and
ecumenical council, that after the Roman Church, which by the will of God holds
over all others pre-eminence of ordinary power as the mother and mistress of
all the faithful, that of Constantinople shall hold first place, that of
Alexandria second, that of Antioch third, and that of Jerusalem fourth, the
dignity proper to each to be observed; so that after their bishops have
received from the Roman pontiff the pallium, which is the distinguishing mark
of the plenitude of the pontifical office, and have taken the oath of fidelity
and obedience to him, they may also lawfully bestow the pallium upon their
suffragans, receiving from them the canonical profession of faith for
themselves, and for the Roman Church the pledge of obedience. They may have the
standard of the cross borne before them everywhere, except in the city of Rome
and wherever the supreme pontiff or his legate wearing the insignia of
Apostolic dignity is present. In all provinces subject to their jurisdiction
appeals may be taken to them when necessary, saving the appeals directed to the
Apostolic See, which must be humbly respected.
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