execution hereof, as pertains to the correction of manners. But if they shall find anything of the above fallen into desuetude, they shall take care that it be again brought into use as soon aspossible, and be accurately observed by all; any customs soever notwithstanding; lest they themselves, God being the avenger, may pay the penalty deserved by their neglect of the correction of those subject [to them].
CHAPTER II.
Who are to he promoted to Cathedral Churches.
Whosoever is, hereafter, to be promoted to cathedral churches, shall not only be fully qualified by birth, age, morals, and life, and, in other matters which are required by the sacred canons, but shall also have been previously constituted in holy orders, for the space of at least six months. And information on these points, if there be only recent knowledge, or none at all of the party at the court [of Rome], shall be derived from the legates of the Apostolic See, or from the nuncios of the provinces, or from his ordinary, and in his default, from the nearest ordinaries. And besides these things, he shall abound in such learning as to be able to satisfy the obligations of the office about to be conferred upon him. And for this reason, he shall have been previously promoted by merit, in some university for studies, to be a master, or doctor, or licentiate, in sacred theology, or in canon law; or shall be declared, by the public testimony of some academy, competent to teach others. And, if he be a regular, he shall have a similar testimonial[1] from the superiors of his own religion. And all the above-named persons, from whom the information, or testimony, is to be derived, shall be bound to report on these matters faithfully and gratuitously; otherwise let them know, that their consciences will be grievously burthened, and that they will have God, and their own superiors, as avengers [upon them].
- ↑ Fidem.
