The canons and decrees of the Council of Trent celebrated under Paul III, Julius III, and Pius IV, Bishops of Rome
Council of Trent
Page  113
CHAP. V.

LET such as are to be promoted to inferior Orders, have the faithful Testi∣monial of the Curate of the Parish, or the Master of the School, wherein they were brought up. But for those, who are to assume superior Orders, let them a month before their Ordination repair to the Bishop, who may refer them to the Curate or such other person he shall judge most fit, that the Names, together with the Desires of those who are willing so to be promoted, being publickly proposed in the Church, a diligent enquiry be made by worthy cre∣dible persons, of the Birth, Age, Manners and Life of those so to be prefer∣red: And let their Testimonial Letters, containing such Inquisition made, be as soon as may be, transmitted to the Bishop himself.