i6o Readings in European History The cate- chism. this holy Council in a catechism, which the bishops shall take care to have faithfully translated into the vulgar tongue, and to have expounded to the people by all parish priests. They shall also explain in the said vulgar tongue, during the solemnization of mass, or the celebration of the divine offices, on all festivals or solemnities, the sacred oracles and the maxims of salvation ; and, setting aside all unprofitable questions, they shall endeavor to impress them on the hearts of all, and to instruct their hearers in the law of the Lord. 277c. Prel- ates should live frugally as an ex- ample to others. Nepotism forbidden. It is to be desired that those who undertake the office of bishop should understand what their portion is, and com- prehend that they are called, not to their own convenience, not to riches or luxury, but to labors and cares, for the glory of God. For it is not to be doubted that the rest of the faithful also will be more easily excited to religion and inno- cence if they shall see those who are set over them not fixing their thoughts on the things of this world, but on the salva- tion of souls and on their heavenly country. Wherefore this holy Council, being minded that these things are of the greatest importance towards restoring ecclesiastical disci- pline, admonishes all bishops that, often meditating thereon, they show themselves conformable to their office by their actual deeds and the actions of their lives ; which is a kind of perpetual sermon ; but, above all, that they so order their whole conversation that others may thence be able to derive examples of frugality, modesty, continency, and of that holy humility which so much commends us to God. Wherefore, after the example of our fathers in the Coun- cil of Carthage, this Council not only orders that bishops be content with modest furniture, and a frugal table and diet, but that they also give heed that in the rest of their manner of living, and in their whole house, there be nothing seen which is alien to this holv institution, and which does not manifest simplicity, zeal toward God, and a contempt of vanities. It strictly forbids them, moreover, to strive to enrich their own kindred or domestics out of the revenues of the Church;
