Canon X.
If
any who have lapsed have been
ordained through the ignorance, or even with the previous knowledge of
the ordainers, this shall not prejudice the canon of the Church; for
when they are discovered they shall be deposed.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon X.
Whoso had lapsed are to be deposed whether those who
ordained and promoted them did so conscious of their guilt or unknowing
of it.
Hefele.
The tenth canon differs from the ninth, inasmuch as it
concerns only the
lapsi
and their elevation, not only to the
priesthood, but to any other ecclesiastical preferment as well, and
requires their deposition. The punishment of a bishop who should
consciously perform such an ordination is not mentioned; but it is
incontestable that the
lapsi
could not be ordained, even after
having performed penance; for, as the preceding canon states, the
Church requires those who were faultless. It is to be observed
that the word
προχειρίζειν
is evidently employed here in the sense of “ordain,” and is
used without any distinction from
χειρίζειν
,
whilst in the synodal letter of the Council of Nicæa on the
subject of the Meletians, there is a distinction between these two
words, and
προχειρίζειν
is used to signify
eligere
.
This canon is found in
Corpus Juris
Canonici
.
Decretum
. Pars I. Dist.
lxxxi. c.v.