Canon XXI.
Concerning
women who commit
fornication, and destroy that which they have conceived, or who are
employed in making drugs for abortion, a former decree excluded them
until the hour of death, and to this some have assented.
Nevertheless, being desirous to use somewhat greater lenity, we have
ordained that they fulfil ten years [of penance], according to the
prescribed degrees.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon
XXI.
Harlots taking injurious medicines are to be subjected
to penance for ten years.
The phrase “and to this some have assented”
is the translation of Hervetus, Van Espen, and Hefele. Dr. Routh
suggests to understand
ἁι
and translate, “the same punishment
will be inflicted on those who assist in causing miscarriages,”
but this seems rather an unnatural and strained rendering of the
Greek.