The Council of Alby in the Year 1254.
THis Council was held by Zoan Bishop of Avignon and Legate of the Holy See, and consisted of * 1.1 several Bishops of the Provinces of Narbonne, Bourges, and Bourdeaux. Therein they reviv'd a great many Decrees made in the Preceeding Councils.
The Twenty eight First, relate to the Inquisition and the Punishment of Hereticks.
The Twenty ninth orders the Execution of the Canon styl'd Omnis utriusque sexus concerning the Easter-Confession; and obliges all the Faithful to Receive the Communion at Christ-mass, Easter and Whitsontide.
The next to the Fortieth revive the Decrees of the Councils of Narbonne, Valenza, and Toulouse, about being present at the Divine Service of the Parish, about Ecommunications, Persons Excom∣municated, and Last Wills and Testaments.
The Forty first prohibits the Priests from keeping Women within the Inclosures of the Church.
The Forty second orders, That there shall be Silver-Chalices in all Churches which have Fifteen Pounds a Year Revenue.
The Forty third enjoyns the Bishops to make use of Ecclesiastical Censures to oblige those who hold Churches to repair and maintain them.
The Forty fourth and fifth revive the Laws which prohibit Ecclesiasticks from having any secu∣lar Employments or Offices.
The Eight next prescribe the Modesty which Ecclesiasticks and Regulars ought to observe in their Habits and in their way of Living.
The Fifty fourth and fifth import, That there shall be at least Three Monks or Two Regular Canons in each Priory.
The Fifty sixth orders the Patrons to present the Benefices in their Gifts to able Persons within the time perfix'd, without any Compact and without diminishing the Revenues: And prohibits the Applying the Revenues of a Vacant Church to any other Uses than to the Interest of that Church.
The Four next fix the Duties of Visitations.
The Sixty first and Second revive the Decrees of the Council of Avignon against Perjur'd Persons and Usurers.
The Eight next are against the Jews.
The Seventy first prohibits any new Imposts under pain of Excommunication.