The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-02-16
CHAPTAR 10.

| 4 CHAPTzR 10.
| The goods of hesetics ara TO BE- confscated; in
the territory of tie Church, to the Church fredsa,y
1nis law operates eren though they hare Catholic
\ children f
| K Innocent III. %" 81
In territory subject to our temporal lurisdic-
tion, we decree that the good. Of heretics be
+ thing TO be done by the authorities and secu-
lar princes; to execute this-sbould tney Dc
pesiigent-we will ordain that they be com
| Church Nor may those goods be finally re-
| stored, unless heartily returning and renoun-
| cling their heretical associates, some one may
wish to show them compassion. So at least,
temporal punishment shall lay hold on those
whom spiritual discipline does not correct.
! For since according to legal sanctions, the
goods of those capitally punished for treason
are confiscated, and the lives of their children
| spared only out of pity, how much more ought
those: who going astray from the true 1aitn,
offend Jesus Christ the son of God, though our
head which is Christ, be cnt off by ecclesas.
| tical severity, and be spoiled of thei- temporal
| z Gods, inasmnch as it is far more grievons
| TO injure the eternal majesty, than temporal
| Nor is the disinl,eritins of children sever.
| ity Of such a kind rs TO excite the censare OF
the orthodox, as if by pr-text OF some. sort OF
duty, one ought IN any respect to oppS9Se 1t.
ljudgment-children for their fathers may be
temporarily punished SO according to canoni-
cal laws, whenever papishnent is appited, it Is
even against the children of those who are
I COO demned. ~
4 ,Eet them be admonlshed and persuaded, and
~ necessary let secular authorities whatever
eA3ce they discharge, be compelled by eccesi-
| sssical censures, as they may visa to be repu'
ted and esteemed faithful, to publicly make
oath, that all heretics found in countries sub
ject to their Jurisdiction, when pointed ont by
the Church, they will endeavor to exterminate
| by force 30 that, however, or whenever, any
ono be In authority, whether assumed tempo
confirm BY oath this agreement. But if the
temporal Lord requested and sdmonished by
the Church shall neglect to purge his country
! from hsretical depravity, let him BIO bound
| with the chain of accommodation by the me-
! tropolitan and the co-provincial bishops; and
| if he scorn to give satisfaction within year,
let it be reported to the Pope, that he may de-
snce, and set forth his territory to be occupied
by Catholics, who after having exterminated
| the heretics, shall holdit without opposition
| and preserve it in purityof faith-saving the
right Of the sovereign Lord, provided he OPP
poses no obstacle nor hindrance to this; the
same law nevertheless is to be observed against
those who have no superior Lords.
Those Catholics who having assumed the
cross have armed themselves for the extermi-
nation of heretics, shall enjoy the same tndul-
gence, and be rewarded with the same holy
privilege conceded to those bearing aid to the
Holy land.
Moreover, we excommuncate believers, re-
ceivers, defenders and aiders of heretics firm
~, decreeing that If any such disdain giving
satisfaction within q year, by that act he be-
public offices councils, nor to the election of
others to office, nor as o witness; he also be-
comee 1ntestste, he can neither bequeath nor
inherit. No one is obliged to transact bust
respond by others. If, for instance, he be
judge, his sentence is without authority. and
none may bring cases before him. 1t he be an
advocate, let no one accept his support; If g
notary let the Instruments of writing prepared
by him be worthless, let them be damned with
their damned author. In like cases let the
same rule be observed. Bat il he be q cleric,
let him be deposed from every Office and
benefce, that where the fault is greater the
punishment may be greater: And if any, shall
disdan to avoid those marked by the Church,
let them also be struck with the sentence of
| communication until due satisfaction is
made. Clearly, the clergy may not give the
sacraments of the Church to these pestilents
nor presume to afford them Christian burial,
nor receive their aims nor oblations other
wise let them be deprived of their office, to
which they may never be restored, bat by
special indulgenceof the Holy See; the same
rules apply to the regular clergy, and their
privileges cease in the diocese where they pre-
sumo to commit such excess.
We add further that any Archbishop or
bishop, by himself, his archdeacon, or other
honorable and suitable persons. shall once or
twice year go around his parish where it is
reported heretics live, and there he may COM
| -thfeeeF mere good men as witnesses, or if
it seem e1pedent, the whole neighborhood, to
swear, whether there are any heretics there,
or persons holding secret assemblies, or differ
ing in life or manners from the faithful, and
to point them ont to the bishop. Then the
bishop may convoke the accused into his pres
ence, who unless they purge themselves from
the crime alleged, or if they relapse into their
original psrfdy, should be economically punish
ed. II forgetful of religion or through a
damuable obstinacy, those cited, should refuse
to swear, let them from this fact be regarded
as also hereticS.
We will therefore and command and in vir-
tue Of their obedience mort strictly epjoin,
shat bishops in order to fnldll these rules Ell
caeiously, should watch their dioceses with
diligence, il they. wish to escape caponical
vengeance. For If any bishop neglect or is re-
mics concerning his oath to purge his diocese
tainly appear, ne shall be deposed from his
bishopric, and another suitable person shall
be put in his place, who is willing and able to
overthrow heretical depravity.
CHAPTER IL.
4droeates and noarie' farori"g here'ies suspended
from Office etc,
Innocent, III.