Canon XIV.
(
Greek
.)
Bishop
Hosius
said: I must not fail to speak of a matter
which constantly urgeth me.
397
If a
bishop be found quick to anger (which ought not to sway such a man),
and he, suddenly moved against a presbyter or deacon, be minded to cast
him out of the Church, provision must be made that such a one be not
condemned too hastily [or read
ἀθῶον
, if innocent] and
deprived of communion.
All said: Let him that is cast out be authorized
to take refuge with the bishop of the metropolis of the same
province. And if the bishop of the metropolis is absent, let him
hasten to the bishop that is nearest, and ask to have his case
carefully examined. For a hearing ought not to be denied those
who ask it.
And that bishop who cast out such a one, justly or
unjustly, ought not to take it ill that examination of the case be
made, and his decision confirmed or revised. But, until all the
particulars have been examined with care and fidelity, he who is
excluded from communion ought not to demand communion in advance of the
decision of his case. And if any of the clergy who have met [to
hear the case] clearly discern arrogance and pretentiousness in him,
inasmuch as it is not fitting to suffer insolence or unjust censure,
they ought to correct such an one with somewhat harsh and grievous
language, that men may submit to and obey commands that are proper and
right. For as the bishop ought to manifest sincere love and
regard to his subordinates, so those who are subject to him ought in
like manner to perform the duties of their ministry in sincerity
towards their bishops.
(
Latin
.)
Bishop
Hosius
said: I must not fail to speak of a matter
which further moveth me. If some bishop is perchance quick to
anger (which ought not to be the case) and, moved hastily and violently
against one of his presbyters or deacons, be minded to cast him out of
the Church, provision must be made that an innocent man be not
condemned or deprived of communion.
Therefore let him that is cast out be authorized to
appeal to the neighbouring bishops and let his case be heard and
examined into more diligently. For a hearing ought not to be
denied one who asks it.
And let that bishop who cast him out, justly or
unjustly, take it patiently that the matter is discussed, so that his
sentence may either be approved by a number [of judges] or else
revised. Nevertheless, until all the particulars shall be
examined with care and fidelity, no one else ought to presume to admit
to communion him who was excluded therefrom in advance of the decision
of his case. If, however, those who meet to hear it observe
arrogance and pride in [such] clergy, inasmuch as it surely is not
fitting for a bishop to suffer wrong or insult, let them correct them
with some severity of language, that they may obey a bishop whose
commands are proper and right. For as he [the bishop] ought to
manifest sincere love and charity to his clergy, so his ministers ought
for their part to render unfeigned obedience to their bishop.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon
XIV.
One condemned out of anger, if he asks for
assistance, should be heard. But until [he shall have asked
for
398
] the assistance let him remain
excommunicated.
This is Canon XVII. of the Latin version.
Van
Espen.
This canon is intended especially to aid presbyters,
deacons, and other clerics, who have been excommunicated precipitately
and without just cause, or suspended by their own bishop in his anger
and fury.…The canon, moreover, admonishes that the bishop with
regard to whose sentence the dispute has arisen shall patiently consent
to the discussion of the matter
de novo
, whether his decision be
sustained by the majority or emended.
And let bishops and other prelates who have spiritual
jurisdiction over the clergy note this, who cannot bear with equanimity
that a word should be said against their decisions, but exact a kind of
blind obedience, even frequently with great conscientious suffering to
their very best ecclesiastics; and in such cases as do not promptly and
blindly obey them, the clergy are traduced as rebels and even a patient
hearing is refused to them.
This canon is found in the
Corpus Juris Canonici
,
Gratian’s
Decretum
, P. II., Causa XI., Q. iij., c.
iv.
397
The Greek text of
Bev. begins here.
398
This is the
understanding of Beveridge’s Latin. I should have supposed
the words to be supplied were “the reception of.”