The Decretals.

Translated by ANF/NPNF editors

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(English) · Translated by ANF/NPNF editors

Contents 45 sections

Title Page.Front matter
Introductory Notice.
To All the Bishops of Sicily.
Preface.
On the Spoliation or Expulsion of certain Bishops.
On the Ordination of Presbyters and Deacons.
Notes by the American Editor.
Preface.
Of the seasons for fasting.
Of accusations against doctors.
Preface.
Of those who conspire against bishops, or who take part with such.
Of those who have intercourse with excommunicated persons, or with unbelievers.
That no bishop should presume in anything pertaining to another's parish, and of the transference of bishops.
Of marriages among blood-relations, and of those who are born of them; and of accusations which the laws reject.
Of those who ought not to be admitted to prefer an accusation, or to bear witness; and that evidence is not to be given but on things happening in the person's presence.
As to whether a priest may minister after a lapse.
Note by the American Editor.
Preface.
Of the life in common, and of the reason why the Church has begun to hold property.
Of the persons by whom, and the uses for which, ecclesiastical property should be managed, and of the invaders thereof.
As to any one's attempting to take from the Church the right of holding property.
Of the seats of the bishops.
That no one should have intercourse with those with whom the bishop has no intercourse, or receive those whom he rejects.
Of the engagement made in baptism, and of those who have given themselves to the life in common.
Of the imposition of the bishop's hand.
To Felix Subscribonius.
To All Bishops.
Note by the American Editor.
The Epistle of Pope Anterus.
To All the Ministers of the Church Catholic.
Preface.
That new chrism should be made every year, and the old be burnt.
Of the right of bishops not to be accused or hurt by detraction.
Preface.
Of those who ought not to be admitted to the right of accusation.
Of extraneous judgments.
Of the arraigned.
Of the case of any one bringing forward a charge in passion, or failing to prove his allegations.
On the question of an accused bishop appealing to the seat of the apostles.
Note by the American Editor.
Taken from the Decretal of Gratian.
The Decrees of the Same, from the Codex of Decrees in Sixteen Books, from the Fifth Book, and the Seventh and Ninth Chapters.
The Bishops of Rome.
Donation of Constantine.

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