教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 800 章

Although it is very sad to us what we speak of, and out of brotherly compassion it urges us rather to weep than permits us to determine anything concerning the things heard, nevertheless the solicitude of the government we have undertaken strikes our heart with an insistent goad, that we should look forward with great care for the churches, and, before their usefulness can perish, dispose, God being the author, what ought to be done. It has come therefore to us, certain persons reporting it, that a certain bishop has so incurred a malady of the head, that with his mind alienated he is wont to do things such that his groanings and weepings may be heard. Lest therefore, the shepherd languishing, the flock, which God forbid, be exposed to be torn by the teeth of the waylayer, or the usefulness of that same Church perish, it is necessary for us to treat the matter with cautious provision.

And therefore, since, while the bishop lives whom the necessity of infirmity, not a crime, withdraws from his office, no reason permits another to be ordained in his place, unless he refuses, if he is wont to have intervals of the sickness, let him himself, a petition having been given, confess that he can no longer rise to this ministry, the infirmity indeed subverting his intellectual offices, and let him request another to be ordained in his place. Which having been done, by the election of all let another who shall be worthy be solemnly consecrated bishop; so nevertheless that, as long as life shall hold that same bishop in this world, the expenses due to him be ministered to him from that same Church.

But indeed, if at no time he returns to the office of a sound mind, a faithful person and one of approvable life is to be chosen, who may be able to be fit for the government of the Church, and to think about the usefulness of souls, to restrain the unruly under the bond of discipline, to bear the care of ecclesiastical affairs, and to show himself mature and effective in all things. Who, even if he shall have survived the bishop who is now ill, ought to be consecrated in his place. But the ordinations of presbyters or deacons, or of another order, if the cause shall have required it to be done in that same Church, you shall know to be reserved to your Fraternity, so that, if it is of your diocese, you inquire into the life, morals, and conduct of him who is chosen for this.

And if it shall have pleased, and there is nothing in him which the judgment of canonical strictness reprehends, let him come to the destined order not otherwise than by your ordaining. Let your Fraternity therefore so act, and dispose these things with vigilant providence, that neither may the Church of God have any further neglect, and it may laudably admonish its fellow-priests to have care of the venerable places not only by word, but also by example.