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Summary No custom or appeal
shall hinder prelates from correcting abuses and reforming the morals of their
subjects. If the chapter neglects to correct the excesses of the canons, it
shall devolve upon the bishop to do so. Prelates shall not use this statute as
means of pecuniary gain.
Text. By an irrefragable
decree we ordain that prelates make a prudent and earnest effort to correct the
excesses and reform the morals of their subjects, especially of the clergy,
lest their blood be demanded at their hands. But that they may perform
unhindered the duty of correction and reform, we decree that no custom or apeal
shall stand in the way of their efforts, unless they shall have exceeded the
form to be observed in such cases. The abuses, however, of the canons of the
cathedral church, the correction of which has by custom belonged to the chapter,
shall, in those churches in which such a custom has hitherto prevailed, by the
advice or command of the bishop be corrected within a reasonable time specified
by the bishop. Otherwise the bishop, having in mind the interests of God,
opposition notwithstanding, shall not delay to correct them means of
ecclesiastical censure according as the cura animarum demands. Nor shall
he neglect to correct the excesses also of the other clerics (those assisting
the canons) according as the cura animarum requires, due order, however,
being observed in all things. If the canons without a manifest and reasonable
cause, chiefly through contempt for the bishop, discontinue divine services,
the bishop may, if he wishes, celebrate in the cathedral church, and on his complaint
the metropolitan, as delegated by us in this matter, shall so punish them with
ecclesiastical censure that for fear of a repetition of the punishment they
will not presume to do such things in the future. Let the prelates of the
churches, therefore, be diligently on their guard that they do not convert this
salutary decree into a means of personal profit or other objectionable conduct,
but let them enforce it earnestly and faithfully if they wish to escape
canonical punishment, for in this matter the Apostolic See, on the authority of
the Lord, will be most vigilant.
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