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The second Council of Bracara in 572. * 1.1
MArtin Bishop of Bracara presided in this Council, which was compos'd of twelve Bishops of the Provinces of Gallicia and Luca. After the reading of the Canons of the preceding Coun∣cil of Bracara, and the Epistle of St. Peter, they made ten Canons.
By the first they ordain, That the Bishops make their Visitation, examin the Clergy about the manner wherein they administer Baptism, and perform Divine Service, and that they admonish them to use Exorcisms to the Catechumens for the space of twenty days before their Baptism, and to ex∣plain the Creed during that time.
By the second the Bishop is forbidden to demand any more then two shillings for his Synodals, and not to exact the third part of the Offerings, which are design'd for the Lights of the Church.
By the third 'tis forbidden to take any thing for Ordinations.
By the fourth, To take more then three shillings for the price of Chrysm.
By the fifth, The Bishops who are invited to Consecrate a Church, are forbidden to exact any Present for the Consecration; but they are permitted to receive what shall be presented to them. At the same time the Bishops are admonished not to Consecrate a Church, unless there be a sufficient foun∣dation for the maintenance of a Light and of the Ministers.
By the sixth, It is forbidden to suffer any Person to found a Church, upon this Condition, that he shall share the Offerings with those that serve in it.
By the seventh, It is forbidden to exact any thing for the Baptism of Infants, though they are al∣low'd to receive what is freely offer'd.
The eighth declares, That he who shall accuse any of the Clergy of the Crime of Fornication, and cannot prove it, shall be punish'd with Excommunication.
The ninth, That the Metropolitan shall give notice of Easter-day to the Bishops of the Province, and that the Bishops and the Clergy having it signified to them, shall publish it to the People towards Christmas after the Gospel, that they may know when Lent will begin: That three days before Li∣tanies or Publick Prayers shall be said; and that on the third day after Mass, which shall be said three hours after Noon, the People shall be enjoyn'd to observe Lent, and to bring twenty days before Ea∣ster, the Children that are to be baptiz'd, that they may be exorcis'd.
The last forbids an Abuse which begun to take footing, of saying the Mass of the Dead after drink∣ing of Wine.