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SUMMARY: Provincial chapters of
regulars are to be held every three years. All not canonically impeded
must-attend. The chapters to be under the guidance of two Cistercians, and
careful attention is to be given to the reform of the order and to regular
observance. Visitation of monasteries and nunneries. Ordinaries must strive to
ref'orm monasteries and ward off molestation of them by lay officials.
Text: In every
ecclesiastical province there shall be held every three years, saving the right
of the diocesan ordinaries, a general chapter of abbots and of priors having no
abbots, who have not been accustomed to celebrate such chapters. This shall be
held in a monastery best adapted to this purpose and shall be attended by all
who are not canonically impeded, with this restriction, however, that no one
bring with him more than six horses and eight persons. In inaugurating this new
arrangement, let two neighboring abbots of the Cistercian order be invited to
give them counsel and opportune assistance, since among them the celebration of
such chapters is of long standing. These two Cistercians shall without
hindrance choose from those present two whom they consider the most competent,
and these four shall preside over the entire chapter, so that no one of these
four may assume the authority of leadership; should it become expedient, they
may be changed by prudent deliberation. Such a chapter shall be celebrated for
several consecutive days according the custom of the Cistercian order. During
its deliberations careful attention is to be given to the reform of the order
and to regular observance, and what has been enacted with the approval of the
four shall be observed inviolably by all, excuses, contradictions, and appeals
to the contrary notwithstanding. In each of these chapters the place for the
holding of the following one is to be determined. All those in attendance, even
if f or want of room many must occupy other houses, must live the vita
communis and bear proportionately all common expenses. In the same chapter
religious and prudent persons should be appointed who, in our name, shall visit
every abbey in the province, not only of monks but also of nuns, according to a
form prescribed for them, correcting and reforming those things that need
correction and reform; so that, if they should know that the rector of a
locality ought to be removed from office, let them make it known to his bishop,
that he may procure his removal; but if he should neglect to do it, then the
appointed visitors shall refer the matter to the attention of the Apostolic
See. We wish and command that canons regular observe this according to their
order. But if in this new arrangement a difficulty should arise which cannot be
disposed of by the aforesaid persons, let it be referred without scandal to the
judgment of the Apostolic See; in the meantime let the other things that have
been accomplished by amicable deliberation be in. violably observed. Moreover,
the diocesan ordinaries must strive so to reform the monasteries subject to
them, that when the aforesaid visitors come to them they will find in them more
that is worthy of commendation than of correction, taking special care lest the
monasteries be oppressed by them with undue burdens. For, while we wish that
the rights of the superiors be respected, we do not on that account wish that
injury be sustained by inferiors. We strictly command diocesan bishops and
persons attending the chapters, that with ecclesiastical censure-every appeal
being denied-they restrain advocates, patrons, vicegerents, rulers, consuls,
nobles, and soldiers, and all others, from molesting the monasteries either in
persons or properties and if perchance these persons should so molest, let the
aforesaid bishops and chapter members not neglect to compel these latter to
make satisfaction, that the monasteries may serve Almighty
God more freely and peacefully.
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