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. I.

SEeing it is commanded by divine precept to all to whom the care of Souls is committed, to know their Sheep, Offer Sacrifice for them, and by preach∣ing the holy Word and Administration of the Sacraments, and by the example of all good Works to feed them, to exercise a paternal care over the Poor, and other miserable persons, and to mind other Pastoral Offices; all which cannot by them be performed and fulfilled, who do not watch over their Flock nor assist, but forsake them after the custom of Hirelings; The holy Synod admonisheth and exhorteth them, to be mindful of divine precepts, and becoming an example to their Flock, they may feed them and govern them in Judgment and Truth. And let not these things, which, concerning residence, have been holily and pro∣fitably already established, under the late happy Paul III. be alienated into other Senses, contrary to the mind of the holy Synod, as if it might be law∣ful by the force of that Decree, to be wanting Five Months altogether; the holy Synod declareth, That all Governors in Patriarchal, Primatical, Metropolitan, and Cathedral Churches whatsoever, by what name or title so ever, although Cardinals of the holy Church of Rome, be obliged to a personal residence in their Church or Diocess, where they are to execute their injoined

Office, neither be able to be wanting unless for the beneath mentioned causes, and reasons. For when Christian Charity, urgent Necessity, due Obedience, and evident Advantage to the Church and Commonwealth, shall require and compel some sometimes; the Holy Synod determineth, That these causes of lawful Absence, either by the Metropolitan, or, he being absent, by the Suf∣fragan Bishop of longer residence, and who shall allow the absence of the Metropolitan, be approved of in writing, unless when absence happeneth by reason of some imploy, or Office in the publick which is joined to that of Bi∣shops; because the causes thereof are remarkable, and sometimes sudden, it will not be needful to signifie them to the Metropolitan; yet it belongs to them with the Provincial Council, to judge concerning Licences granted by themselves or Suffragan, and see that none be abused by that Law, and that those that go astray may be punished by Canonical Punishments. In the mean time let those that are about to depart, remember to provide for their Sheep, that as much as may be, they may suffer no damage by their absence. But because they who are but a little absent, according to the Opinion of the ancient Canons, may not seem to be wanting, because they are about to return presently; The holy Sy∣nod will, That that space of absence every year, wh••ther continued or inter∣rupted, without the foresaid causes, by no means exceed two, or at th•• most three Months, and a reason to be given, that that be done for a just cause, and without any detriment to the Flock: Which whether it be so, it leaveth to the Conscience of those that be absent, which it hopeth will be Religious and Care∣ful, seeing hearts are known unto God, whose work they are bound not to do negligently, at their own Peril. The same, in the mean time it admonisheth and exhorteth in the Lord, That for the space of the Dominical Advent, Qua∣dragesima, the Nativity and Resurrection of the Lord, and also Pentecost and days of Corpus Christi, wherein the Sheep ought to be greatly refreshed, and rejoyced by the presence of the Pastor in the Lord, they by any means be not absent from the Cathedral Church, unless their Episcopal Office in their Diocess call them otherwise.

But if any, which it wisheth may never happen, shall be absent contrary to the intention of this Decree, the holy Synod doth appoint, besides other penalties against Non-Residents, under Paul the Third imposed and innova∣ted, and the guilt of mortal Sin, which he incurreth, that he for a set time of absence, reap not his own Fruits, nor with a safe Conscience, think he is able to detain them for himself, but either to be detained from him neg∣lecting, by an Ecclesiastical Superior, for the building of Churches, or to be employed for the poor of the place; any convenience whatsoever being pro∣hibited, or composition which might be pretended for ill gotten Fruits, by which the foresaid Fruits might in whole or in part be remitted to him; Privileges whatsoever granted to any College, or Building notwithstand∣ing.

The same, always, as touching the Fault, Loss of Fruits, and Punishments of Inferior Curates, and any other whatsover, who, any Benefice Ecclesiastical doth obtain, having cure of Souls, the holy Synod declareth and decreeth; but so, That whensoever they, the cause being first known and allowed of by the

Bishop, happen to be wanting, a fit Vicar by the same Ordinary be ap∣proved, with the due allowance of Stipend, he left. That also the liberty of departing, in writing, and gratis, to be granted for above the space of Two Months, unless for some weighty cause, be not obtained. But if, by this E∣dict, though not personally, they be summoned and be obstinate, it willeth, That it be lawful for the Ordinaries, by Ecclesiastical Censures, and Sequestra∣tion, and taking away of Fruits, and other remedies of Law, even by privation to force them; nor that this execution, by any Privilege, Licence, Familiarity, Exemption, or any reason of any Benefice, Covenant, Statute, Oath, even by any Authority or Custom confirmed, thô immemorable, which are rather to be thought Corruptions; or by Appeals, or an Inhibition even in the Romish Cure, or by force of the Eugenian Constitution, be not suspended. Lastly, that as well that Decree made under Paul the Third, as this same, in Provincial Coun∣cils and Episcopal be published, the holy Synod hath determined; for it de∣sireth, That those things which are of the Office of Pastors and safety of Souls be frequently fixed in the Ears and Minds; that for the time to come, by the help of God, no Injuries of Times, either by forgetfulness of Men, or Disuse, they may be abolish'd.