They were forfeited property, and the secrecy in which they were disposed of hangs heavy in the closet of the Roman Church. One need go to the streets of San Francisco today and view the vast numbers of homeless to imagine the fate of the women who had been a half century ago the dignified wives of the now broken priesthood. The Synod of Melfi under Pope Urban II in 1089 imposed slavery on the wives of priests. It was also stipulated that, whereas ordinary slaves could be bought free, the former wives of slaves could never be redeemed. The history of militarist Rome backs the horrible power of such a catastrophe.
Power brings an end to all issues, supposedly.
With democracy the government of choice today are we not witnessing the downfall of that feudal system of which the Vatican is the last remaining remnant. The church of today has a rotten base supporting its male celibate priesthood. We see the collapses and continuing destructiveness incurrant in clerical sexual abuses. The clergy have become too distant from the people and too magically powerful. I have encouraged the wives of married priests to come forward to offer their wisdom to the present crisis.