Canon XXXII. (Greek
xxxv.)
If any poor cleric, no matter what his rank may be,
shall acquire any property, it shall be subject to the power of the
bishop.
434
It
also seemed good that
bishops, presbyters, deacons and any other of the clergy, who when they
were ordained had no possessions, and in the time of their episcopate
or after they became clerics, shall purchase in their own names lands
or any other property, shall be held guilty of the crime of intrenching
upon the Lord’s goods, unless, when they are admonished to do so,
they place the same at the disposal of the Church. But should
anything come to them personally by the liberality of anyone, or by
succession from some relative, let them do what they will with it; if,
however, they demand it back again, contrary to what they proposed,
they shall be judged unworthy of ecclesiastical honour as
back-sliders.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon
XXXII.
Whoso after his ordination although he has nothing yet
buys a field, shall give it to the Church, unless he got it by
succession from a relation or by pure liberality.
In this canon there is difficulty about the meaning of
the phrase “quod eorum proposito congruat.” Hardouin
suggests that “propositum” is the same as
“profession,” or “calling,” and the meaning,
were this the case, would be that he must employ it as befits his
clerical calling. Van Espen follows Balsamon and Zonaras in
understanding it to mean that if he has proposed to employ a part for
the Church or for the poor, and changes his mind, he is to be deposed;
and this meaning I have followed.
434
“Of the
Church” in Dion. Exig.