The canons and decrees of the Council of Trent celebrated under Paul III, Julius III, and Pius IV, Bishops of Rome / faithfully translated into English.

CHAP. VIII.

IT is meet and convenient, that whatever things belong to the worship of God, in a Diocess, be diligently provided and carefully lookt after by the Ordinary, when his duty requires him. Therefore those Monasteries held in Commenda, though called by the name of Abbeys and Priories, wherein a regular observance is not kept; also Benefices with cure, or without, Secular and Re∣gular, howsoever in Commenda, and though exempt, shall yearly and every year be visited by the Bishops, as the Prelates of the Apostolical See; and the said Bishops shall take care by proper and agreeable Remedies, even by sequestra∣tion of Profits and Revenues, that what things soever shall need Renovation, or Restoration, may be renewed and restored; and that the care of Souls, if any depend upon them, or annexed to them, and other incumbent Duties be duly and faithfully exercised; notwithstanding any Appeals, Priviledges, Customs, Prescripts, even time out of mind, conservatory Deputations of Judges, and their Inhibitions. And if a Regular observance be used in them, the Bishops shall take care by their fatherly Admonitions, that the Superiors of such Regulars do observe and cause to be observed a due manner of Life according to their Regular Institutions, and that they keep and rule them in subjection to them in their duty. But if upon such advise and admonition, they shall not within six months, visit or correct them; then the said Bishops, as Delegates of the Apostolick See, may visit and correct them; as freely as the said Superiors may do themselves, according to their Institutions. Notwithstanding and totally annulling any Appeals, Privi∣ledges and Exemptions to the contrary whatsoever.