The Council of Avranches held in the Year 1172.
THirteen Canons were published in the Council which was held at Avranches A. D. 1172. by * 1.1 the Cardinals Theoduin and Albert, for the giving of Absolution to Henry II. King of England.
The First, forbids the conferring of Benefices with the Cure of Souls on Children.
The Second, is a Prohibition to bestow on the Sons of Priests, the Churches that were possessed by their Fathers.
The Third, is likewise a Prohibition to give part of the Offerings to Laicks.
The Fourth, prohibits the appointing of Churches to be serv'd by annual Vicars.
The Fifth, obliges the Curates of large Parishes to provide a Vicar, when they have means to do it.
By the Sixth, the Ordination of Priests without a Title is prohibited.
The Seventh, forbids the letting out of Churches to farm for a Year.
The Eighth, prohibits the depriving the Priests, who perform their Functions therein, of a third Part of the Tithes belonging to them.
The Ninth, grants a Licence to those Persons, who are in possession of Tithes, to bestow them on such Clerks as they shall think fit, on condition that they shall afterwards return to the Church to which they belong of very good Right.
The Tenth, forbids a Husband to turn Monk, whilst his Wife remains in the Secular State; unless they be both too old to get any Children: The same Thing is forbidden with respect to the Wife.
The Eleventh, advises Fasting and Abstinence during the time of Advent.
The Twelfth, prohibits the placing of Clergy-men as Judges in the Civil Courts of Judi∣cature.
The Thirteenth, determines nothing as to the Estates of excommunicated Persons; the Perqui∣sites claimed for the Benedictions of Marriages and Baptism; and for the giving of Absolution to those who lye under a Sentence of Excommunication; by reason that the Bishops of Normandy re∣fus'd to admit that Decree.