XXII. Men who
keep women carried off by violence, if they carried them off when
betrothed to other men, must not be received before removal of the
women and their restoration to those to whom they were first
contracted, whether they wish to receive them, or to separate from
them. In the case of a girl who has been taken when not
betrothed, she ought first to be removed, and restored to her own
people, and handed over to the will of her own people whether parents,
or brothers, or any one having authority over her. If they choose
to give her up, the cohabitation may stand; but, if they refuse, no
violence should be used. In the case of a man having a wife by
seduction, be it secret or by violence, he must be held guilty of
fornication. The punishment of fornicators is fixed at four
years. In the first year they must be expelled from prayer, and
weep at the door of the church; in the second they may be received to
sermon; in the third to penance; in the fourth to standing with the
people, while they are withheld from the oblation. Finally, they
may be admitted to the communion of the good gift.