The Council of Avignon in the Year 1326. * 1.1
THIS Council was not made up of the Bishops of one Province only, but the Archbishops of Arles, (GUABERT de VALLE) Aix, (JAMES de CONCOS) and Embrun (BERTRAND d'EUX) were at it with several of their Suffragans and Deputies of their Chapters. It was held in the Mona∣stery of S. Rufus, June 18. 1326. They made 59 Canons concerning the Discipline of the Church.
It is ordained in the First, That the Mass, De Beatâ, should be celebrated every Saturday, and Indulgences be granted to all that are present at it.
In the three following Indulgences are also granted to those, who accompany the Sacrament, when it is carried to the Sick; to such as pray devoutly for the Pope; and such as bow the Head at the Name of Jesus.
The 5th. orders, That the Fonts for Baptism be kept under a Lock.
The 6th. That the Sentences pronounced by a Bishop against any one of his Diocess, shall be confirmed by the Metropolitan, and that all the Bishops of the Province shall observe them.
The 7th. is against those that contemn Ecclesiastical Censures.
The 8th. Excommunicates those who force Clergymen to relate the Titles of the mixt Juris∣diction, which they are in Possession of.
The 9th. forbids Secular Judges to Summon Clergymen before their Tribunals.
The 10th. forbids the Clergy to have recourse to the Secular Judges for Justice against other Clerks.
The Five following, renew the Laws against such as invade the Goods of the Church, or keep Clergymen Prisoners.
The 16th. forbids to employ Excommunicate Persons in any Publick Office.
The 17th. and 18th. are against Poisoners, and Sellers of Poison.
The 19th. is against Persons Exempt, who abuse their Privileges.
The 20th. and 21st. concern Wills.
The 22d. contains Cases reserved to the Bishop.
The 23d. forbids Clergymen to bring their civil Causes before Ecclesiastical Judges, under the Pretences of Donation, Cession, &c.
The 24th. forbids all Persons to enter upon the Goods of Vacant Churches, unless they have a Right by some Privilege or Custom.
The 25th. forbids under pain of Excommunication Clergymen, that are in Favour in the Courts of Princes, to give their Advice against the Liberties of the Church.
The 26th. forbids Clergymen in Holy Orders, or that have Benefices, with charge of Souls, to have any Civil Offices.
The 27th. allows, That such as desire to be Buried among the Preaching, or Grey-Friars, should be Buried among them, the Right of being carried to their Parish-Church being preserved, accor∣ding to the Custom.
The 28th. declares, That no Collation of a Benefice shall be made, upon condition of paying a new Rent, or augmenting the old.
The 29th. orders, That the Monks, who have the Revenues of Churches, shall be obliged to present to the Bishop within Six Months perpetual Vicars to perform Divine Service.
The 30th. says, That Patrons, who have only a right to present, do not confer by full right.
The 31st. That all Persons presented, shall be instituted by the Bishop.
The 32d. and 33d. That the Goods and Persons of the Clergy shall be exempted from Taxes and Imposts.
The 34th. That the Laiety shall not hinder the Clergy carrying Corn from their Lands.
The 35th. That Lords shall not hinder their Curates from taking their Tythes.
The 36th. That Laymen shall not take upon them to make Orders about Tythes, Burials, or Oblations in prejudice of the Customs, and Liberties of the Church.
The 37th. is against Associations, and Fraternities made for ill Ends, which the Council forbids under Pain of Excommunication, declaring nevertheless, that they did not include in this Pro∣hibition Brotherhoods Established for the Honour of God, the Virgin and Saints for the Relief of the Poor, in which there are no Oaths taken, nor Conspiracies entred into.
The 38th. and 39th. forbids Clergymen fortifying their Churches, or bearing Arms.
The 40th. orders, That Bishops, their Officials, or Great Vicars shall give Absolution in the Cases reserved to their Diocesans, whenever they are required.
The 41st. That Lords and Secular Judges, at the request of the Clergy, shall make use of their Authority and Temporal Punishments, to oblige persons Excommunicate to receive Absolution.