The first of these was the Regensburg Private Convention of Papal Princes, Bishops, and Estates, which took place soon after these two imperial congresses, and the constitution drawn up there.
748 The papal nuncio in Germany, Cardinal Laurentius Campegius, as well as King Ferdinand of Rome and most of the Catholic ecclesiastical and secular princes of the Roman Empire, issued a constitution concerning the reformation of the abuses committed by the clergy in Germany. Regensburg, July 7, 1524.
This document is found in Latin in Goldast's constitut. imperial. tom. Ill, p. 487 and twice in Lünig's spieiikA. eeewsiast., Theil I, x. 395 and x. 768.
Translated from the Latin by Joh. Frirck.
Laurentius, by divine mercy of the title sanctae Anatasiae of the Holy Roman Church.
Cardinal-Presbyter, to all Germany and the kingdoms of Hungary, Bohemia and Poland, as well as to other places where we may arrive, our Lord the Pope's and the Apostolic See's legate, for the constant remembrance of the cause.
By virtue of the office of legate conferred upon us by the Apostolic See, we are bound to consider carefully how we may improve the condition among the clergy, as far as our legation extends, in such a way that we undertake a necessary reformation in matters in which they have departed from the ordinances of the Holy Fathers, and that we may be concerned about such reformation with all seriousness. Recently, our most holy lord, Pope Clement VII, considering both his pastoral office and the affection which he has for the praiseworthy German nation
The heretics' perceived fickleness and their godlessness, which is increasing day by day, prompted him to send us to all of Germany as his and the apostolic see's legate a latere, for no other reason than that he might care for the peace of the country and the salvation of souls, which are in the greatest danger because of the aforementioned recent outbreak of all heresies, and that he might promote this. Although we are not equal to this important office, we have nevertheless dared to obey his command and have taken it on trusting in the grace of our Savior, whose cause it is, whereby we do not attribute anything to our own strength and do not wish more than that we do complete justice to this office. And because we noticed some months ago how many things had fallen into disrepair and how much difficulty was involved in their restoration, we consulted with the most illustrious Lord Ferdinand, Infante of Spain, Archduke in Austria, Roman Imperial Governor, and came to the unanimous conclusion to set up a special meeting in the city of Regensburg.
The aforementioned most illustrious prince and archduke attended this event along with us.
The Most Reverend Matthew, of the Holy Roman Church of the title sancti Angeli Cardinal-Presbyter, Archbishop of Salzburg.
And the Highborn Lords William and Ludwig, Palgraves of the Rhine, Dukes of Upper and Lower Bavaria, brothers in the flesh.
The venerable Fathers in Christ, Bemhard, Bishop of Trent.
John, Administrator of the Church at Regensburg, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke in Bavaria.
And all the authorized nuncios or oratores of the venerable in Christ fathers and most illustrious princes:
Wigands, Bishop of Bamberg.
George, Bishop of Speyer, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Bavaria.
Wilhelm, Bishop of Strasbourg. Christoph, Bishop of Augsburg.
Hugh, Bishop of Constance. Christopher, Bishop of Basel.
Philip, Bishop of Freisingen, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Bavaria.
Ernst, Administrator of the Church at Passau and Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Upper and Lower Bavaria, and
Sebastian, Bishop of Bressanone.
With whom, when we talked about one thing and another, and especially about how and in what way the aforementioned German nation, which is in danger, should be helped: they unanimously held that this fundamentally pernicious heresy, which so seemingly caught the eyes of the simple-minded rabble because of the freedom falsely assured to them under the pretext of evangelical love, had been brought about without a doubt, partly by the evil conduct and dissolute life of the clergy, partly by the abuse of the holy statutes and ecclesiastical ordinances, which could no longer be restrained, and it would therefore contribute greatly to the eradication of the Lutheran heresy and its adherents if the clergy were instructed to lead an honorable life and to conduct themselves in such a manner as St. Paul requires and prescribes, and if the abuses, which cause great offense to the laity, were abolished. We have therefore found it necessary, after careful consideration and Christian advice from the above-mentioned Lords, Prince Ferdinands, Cardinals, Dukes and Bishops and their nuncios named below, to prescribe, draw up, order and issue some salutary articles for the necessary reformation of the clergy. Accordingly, by virtue of our apostolic power, which we exercise in this matter, we wish to enforce the statutes and ordinances made by us, as intended, from all and any archbishops, bishops, abbots, provosts, deans, archdeacons and other persons holding ecclesiastical offices, as well as from the heads of the parochial churches and other ecclesiastical benefactors, We hereby decree that the above-mentioned laws, as well as those of the parochial churches and other ecclesiastical benefactors, head priests, monastery preachers and clergymen throughout Germany, insofar as they are or can be affected by them, shall be observed inviolably in the future, and we recognize it as invalid wherever anyone, by whatever power, should knowingly or unknowingly do or attempt to do anything against them. And we hereby command, notwithstanding, all and every archbishop, bishop, and other persons standing in ecclesiastical offices, as well as the bishops in the capitals and other cathedral canons, and the archbishops' and bishops' officials and vicari generals, that they themselves and each of them, if it is sought by them, who are concerned about it or will be concerned about it in the future, to have such statutes and ordinances and each one of them kept inviolably, and to punish the criminals by church censures and other legal means, also, if it would be necessary, to appeal to the secular authorities for help,
Notwithstanding the Constitution of Pope Boniface the Eighth of blessed memory, according to which it is forbidden that anyone be summoned outside his city and diocese, except in certain cases, and in such excepted cases over a single district court (dietam) from the boundaries of his diocese, or that the judges appointed by the apostolic see, or by its prestige and authority, outside the city and diocese in which they are appointed judges, or others, take the liberty of acting against anyone, or of entrusting their office to others; and notwithstanding that in the General Council of two regional courts mention is made, and that persons are not required to appear before the court in excess of a certain number, also notwithstanding other apostolic and repugnant statutes and ordinances. But because it would be difficult to send the present original to all places where it will be necessary, we want and decide that the copy of this letter signed by a Notario publico and provided with the seal of a person standing in the ecclesiastical office shall be considered as credible as the originals themselves, which may either be handed over or only presented. And in order that such laws and ordinances may be made known to everyone, we command all ordinaries in the places, according to the aforesaid apostolic authority, in virtue of holy obedience, that if they publicize or cause to be publicized these articles and ordinances either themselves or through one or more others in their churches or cities, they shall, after such publication, stop those who are or will be concerned about them, just as much as if they had been or would have been made known to them personally.
But the content of the first thought articles and regulations is as follows:
I. Since the soul lives chiefly by the word that goes through the mouth of God, but this may not be preached now and then, nor by anyone, according to the apostle's admonition: "How shall they preach if they are not sent? We order and decree that no one shall be allowed to teach the gospel, even if he publicly professes the religion and is still so skilled in it, unless he has been put to the test and found good in doctrine and life by an ordinarius or his vicar, to be certified by an open letter, which is issued freely, without the notary taking any trouble. Therefore, those who are sent and found good, who teach the Gospel rightly, wisely, and purely, will not be able to read the mysterious
and obscure passages, so difficult to understand, not according to a new and fancied explanation, but as they were understood by the holy fathers and teachers accepted by the church, especially Cyprian, Chrysostom, Ambrose, Jerome, Augustine and Gregory, also take good care that they do not present dreams and old wives' tales instead of the truth, for the certain the uncertain, for things which the whole church has accepted, uncanonical doctrine which has long since been eradicated and banished from the orthodox church, and to exercise all modesty in their recitation, lest they fall to blasphemy and invective and dishonor the holy place to the displeasure of the congregation. For this reason, the Ordinary shall appoint some learned and skillful people to examine in the diocese who have the skill to preach the Gospel, and who do not turn to the Lutheran side, so that means may be found so that the people may be properly instructed in the Christian law, and who may turn away from it, The divine service should be kept pure, and should be performed in the manner and with the customs described by the holy fathers and observed by our forefathers in the sacrifice of the altar, masses for souls, horis canonicüs, and other acts of worship and ceremonies.
II. Therefore we remind and admonish all and every ordained priest that they lead such a life as their state requires and Christ wants them to have when he says: "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven; that they may also go about in respectable dress, as elsewhere Paul prescribed. Wherefore every prelate is to see carefully that the clergy whom he has under him do not wear all sorts of colored, as dashed and hemmed, but long garments, which go down to the heels, do not wear armor as when traveling, do not let the beard and hair grow, have a shorn plate, and take care that they do not give offense to the laity by indecent dress, as has been warned against in the holy Canonibus.
III. Moreover, they shall avoid the inns, except when they have to go to them on journeys, and there, as well as at home and elsewhere, they shall beware of gluttony, drunkenness, all forbidden games, blasphemy, brawling and all other offences and aversions, and shall not be found in "comedy" or at plays and public dinners, lest
because of silence and horniness get their office a stain.
IV. And because, according to the apostolic dictum, no man of war should become involved in food trafficking, no one, contrary to the provincial and synodal laws, may open an inn or tavern to the laity, because drunkenness often gives rise to quarrels, murder and manslaughter, and other vices that are detrimental to the dignity of the clergy. Moreover, they shall refrain from all trade and commerce.
V. However, the duly appointed clergy and their vicarii shall not encumber the laity in the means and other parochial rights, beyond what is due to them by right, and shall not require them to take it away to keep the weekly, monthly or annual celebrations, nor shall they demand anything else from them except the sacrifices that are customarily made on high feasts, because these are to be made at everyone's discretion.
VI. Also, no one can and should tract with the people for the burial, for the administration of the sacraments and other spiritual acts, or demand something from someone who does not give willingly, nor should he, if a parishioner has given nothing, deny him any sacrament, or refuse to bury someone in the churchyard for the sake of fees. However, the foregoing does not in any way abolish the parochial jurisprudence, which, once introduced, belongs to the person who performs the office.
VII. Since there is no uniform custom in the dioceses, and many disputes arise between the laity and the clergy, in that some clergy demand more than they should, while the laity oppose it because of lack and poverty: We order that each Ordinary, within six months after the publication of this letter, when he has well considered and sufficiently investigated the aforementioned, make a certain law and decree with the advice of the princes and secular rulers who are concerned with these things, so that widows, orphans and other poor people are not unfairly overcharged on their property. Which, if it has not yet been done, when we or our successor come into the country, we assure that, after having obtained the matter, we will do so ourselves, or let the matter reach his papal holiness, who will then appoint judges to take care of this matter.
VIII. The gasteries of the clergy, which until now have been used at funerals and fraterni
If, however, either custom or the remoteness of the place requires that a meal be held, it should take place in the house of the clergyman, and be arranged respectably, not for excess, but for the greatest need, since eating and drinking is not suitable for clergymen, partly so that the words do not reach them: To whom the belly is their god; and also because their office entails offering gifts and sacrifices to the Lord in sobriety and chastity for the sins of God.
IX. Further, and lest it be thought that their desire for gain is stronger than their desire for the salvation of souls, when they sometimes absolve laymen who confess gross crimes, to no small damage to their honor and office: We order and decree that henceforth any confessor may absolve penitent confessing laymen of all secret sins, however grave and heinous they may be, even of those which the Ordinary have reserved to their power, with the sole exception of death-witnesses, heretics, and excommunicates, who are to be referred to the bishop or his vicarium. Which ordinance, as far as the clergy are concerned, is not to be regarded as new, but for the remission and forgiveness of sins, which we call absolution, they are not to extort anything from him who gives nothing willingly.
X. We also command, according to the Apostle's saying, "Lay hands on no one soon;" that one should not impudently, carelessly entrust the pastoral care to one, but should first have such a one, who has given public samples of his religion, examined by the bishop or his officials. Nor shall anyone take the liberty of ordering and setting up a vicarage of his church and parish, and of making a profit under the appearance of absence, without the authority of the bishop or his vicarii. For as one should not bind up the mouth of an ox that threshes, so we hold that such benefits of appointment and absence are to be moderated according to the will of the bishop or the official.
XI. No less shall the owners put their inherited 1) collegiate houses and estates, which are dilapidated, in good repair, as much as necessity requires, and if this is done, preserve them in their structural essence; but if they are in the wind, they shall be destroyed by
1) "erheiratheten" here will be as much as given by the laity, according to § 17 of the gravarniva. See above Col. 2156.
the archidiaconos and deans in the country and others to whom it is due by right and custom, with the collection of their revenues, by virtue of our authority, be compelled to do so.
XII. Next to this we want to have expressly prevented, so that the care of the churches and founders is not entrusted to those who have professed themselves to an order, it may be which one wants it, or who have been excluded; If, however, some have been accepted or readmitted, they must, unless it is known that it is by favor and grace of their superior, and that they are staying away from their monasteries for well-founded reasons, put up with it, if we issue an order to the Ordarios or Vicarios, to direct such fugitives to their superiors by depriving them of the means of life or other means of rights.
XIII. The prelates in monasteries, who have jurisdiction over a single church, shall not in the future reappoint the first-mentioned vicarios perpetuos, who were to be dismissed after the order had been issued, in the same churches, unless they had previously been recognized by the ordinarii or their vicarii as competent and skilled; Those churches, however, which are united with the monasteries and are so close to them that the friars, if they were to perform the office in them, could at the same time be under obedience in the monastery, may be provided with such friars, if they are fit and skilful. We also allow this to small and poor monasteries that cannot provide sufficient maintenance, and we want such religious and other excluded persons who are in ecclesiastical foundations to be subject to the Ordinary in every place.
And since it is far better to have few righteous and learned servants in the Church of God than many unlearned and unskilled ones, which is to be considered especially in our time, then no others should be initiated into the spiritual state than those who are pious and learned before others, and who have also passed a test of this in the examination.
XV. As for the ordinands in a city or in a foreign diocese, we decree that they shall show their ordination letter or appointment, and likewise shall not be admitted to perform the divine service until the bishop or his vicarius or official duly accepts them.
XVI. Above this, because no one is more deserving of being perfectly pure and holy than those who carry the vessels of the Lord and work at the sanctuary, such ministers the Lord Himself has appointed.
that they perform the sacred acts daily and be found in them, so we want and command them, according to the canonical ordinances, which have been laudably instituted by the holy fathers, to live chastely and moderately; But the clergy, who keep cohabitants and lead a disorderly life, are to be restored to order by the imposition of the penalties assigned to them in the canons, whereby the established habit, harmful tolerance and negligence of the prelates are not to be of any benefit to them, or serve to defend them.
XVII. Of the promoters of indulgences, who are commonly called stationers, we resolve that no one, whoever he may be, shall press for a letter, either to preach, or to collect a contribution and alms, however much indulgence he may boast of having, unless he has presented letters of admission and permission from the Ordinariis or Vicariis; the ordinaries themselves, that they admit only those who have the testimony of an irreproachable life, and can give an account of their sermons if required, do not abuse the alms and gifts of pious souls for their own benefit, and affirm on oath that they have neither a part of the authority, nor the whole authority, to make collections.for a certain sum of money. However, we leave the liberties granted to the mendicants by the apostolic see unimpaired and unchallenged.
XVIII. And that the shepherd may know the voice of the sheep, and that the sheep may hear the voice of the shepherd, and that all occasion for dissipation may be cut off, we order that foreign and unknown clergy be not admitted to the sacrifice of the Mass, nor tolerated in the company of the clergy for more than a month, unless they have written permission from one of the archbishops or bishops, to whose diocese they go, as well as a written testimony from their ordinarius, from whose diocese they came directly, and who has the best knowledge of their order and honesty, so that one who does not want to mend his ways after his committed errors does not sneak into another and foreign diocese with impunity.
In order that the alms of the Christian faithful may be used for the final purpose for which they were given, the administrators or their stewards in any church shall not be at liberty to distribute any of the funds received for the building, or to use them for any other purpose.
The building authorities shall not use the buildings and other things for their own benefit without the knowledge of the superintendent, but shall place them in the building chamber for safekeeping, as has been done so far, and shall keep two or three keys according to each place's use, one of which is to be handed over to the superintendent; incidentally, however, in handing over the keys and filing the accounts, the custom hitherto established by the princes and superiors shall be maintained and observed.
XX. Thus we also decree that the bishops vicarii shall not demand anything in pontifical functions at the feast of the church and altar, as it is written in the holy canons, except what belongs to them by virtue of their office. For it is reasonable that the bishops, according to the circumstances of their position, see to it that they keep the table money determined by the apostolic see, and that they do not raise anything new that could be a disgrace to their dignity and a burden to them.
XXI. Not without reason, but rather for just causes, we have also considered it good to limit the excessive number of feast days, and make the decree that Sunday, which has been kept highly solemnly by us from the old church on for the glorification of the resurrection of Christ, as no less the commemorative days of the birth of Christ/ of St. Stephen, of St. John and the innocent children, of the circumcision, of the apparition, Easter only for three days, the Ascension, Georgii, Pentecost likewise not more than three days, Corpus Christi, four Marian days, the Purification, Annunciation, Ascension and Nativity, the birthday of the Apostles, St. John the Baptist, St. Magdalene, St. Laurence, the Church Consecration, St. Michael, all the saints, St. Martin, St. Nicolai and St. Catherine, and in the diocese of Salzburg, St. Rupert, as they have been kept until now, will also be solemnly celebrated in the future; On the other feasts, however, they may be instituted or introduced as they wish, also on those for which the people are united, we allow and leave everyone free to go back to his work, from which he must support himself and his family, after having heard the mass; on the feasts of the consecration of the church, the church patrons and principals, however, we do not want to change anything as far as their celebration in the cathedral church city and place, where there is an episcopal residence, is concerned.
XXII. Since also among the shepherds and the herds much quarreling and annoyance have arisen over the wedding, which some call enthronement, others solennization, so
We declare and decree that marriages may be solemnized before the congregation without obtaining the consent of the Ordinary or giving him anything, except during the whole of Lent, the last week of Advent, Easter, Pentecost, and Christmas, together with their octaves, and on days of prayer.
XXIII. The fast days ordered by the church should be determined in the future under the obedience owed to the holy catholic church, and the punishment of banishment should not be considered, so that the weak consciences do not take offense, because at these times almost all godliness lies low, and the clergy is given little hearing.
XXIV In order to restore the defunct worship service and to prevent the common people from becoming more sleepy and negligent in it from day to day, we want only the person to be banned for a death committed against the clergy, but not the place, unless the murder was committed in the congregation and with a large crowd of the congregation.
XXV. Prohibit enclosed that if an ordinary clergyman dies without a will, the bishops may or shall appropriate their inherited property or property acquired by their own diligence.
XXVI. And since, on account of new heresies which have long since been condemned, the number of derogatory monks and priests is becoming astonishingly great every day, and the great majority of them take wives, we give authority to all secular princes and estates and their officials to take such derogators and church thieves by the head, so that such robberies of the church do not go unpunished; but in such a way that they first refer the culprits to the ordinaries and hand them over to them for due chastisement, without imposing any punishment on them; To whom also the serious command is given that they punish the vicious without delay and without all mercy neglectfully, not as has hitherto been done, according to the sacred orders, in such a way that, where the heinousness of the crime requires it, the bishop, according to the contents of the Capituli primi de haereticis in sexto, may either deliver the guilty to temporal rule, or condemn him to eternal imprisonment. If, however, it should come to the attention of the apostolic see that the Ordinarii have been negligent in this regard, ecclesiastical judges shall be appointed by the same, who, if they are informed of the negligence of the Ordinariorum, shall, at the request of the princes and other authorities, punish the guilty, especially those who have been convicted of heresy.
XXVII Because some bishops, as we have learned, demand tithes from the monastery funds and vacancies, but this is highly unjust, and it is better to abolish abuses that have crept in than to allow innovations to break down: so from now on it shall be forbidden to collect and pay such tithes, and we hereby completely abolish such abuses, no matter how they may be introduced, and also want others to consider them abolished.
XXVIII. Likewise, we disapprove and reject as something inconsistent that the bishops want to take half of the intestates of benefactors, of which hardly a single one can maintain himself sufficiently and for his need, as there are those which do not yield more than thirty-two Rhenish gold florins, of which the Roman court itself does not demand half; which we also want to have observed by the Ordinarii, unless the opposite is prevented in the Concordatis, or they do not receive something in an honest and lawful way, without penal burdening others.
XXIX In order that the friendship and harmony among the provincials of the whole province may be more and more strengthened, we reintroduce the old custom of holding meetings, and decree that a provincial assembly shall be held every three years after Easter.
XXX. Since, according to the sacred statutes, charity is given for the sake of service or work, and since it is almost impossible that there should not be found among the great number of canonists (praebendatorum) some who, unaware of their office, do not keep the horas canonicas: We want, set and order that the Ordinarii, through the Archidiaconos and Decanos, be carefully instructed by such negligent clergymen, and after each one's neglect and laziness, use the benefits enjoyed either for the benefit of the church, or of the poor. If, after due remembrance and first instruction, a person should again fall into such negligence and laziness, which would be a sign of a fundamentally evil disposition, he shall be deprived of the ecclesiastical endowment altogether, and the collatori or patrons shall be permitted to look around for another capable person or to present him.
XXXI. Still further we place that one shall keep steadfastly above the ordinance of the fathers, according to which burial in the churchyard is denied to anyone who has not confessed and received the Lord's Supper at paschal time; and where
If it happens that someone dies suddenly without prior confession, we do not want to deny him the aforementioned burial in that case, if his clergyman knows or is assured that he has confessed and communicated according to the first-mentioned regulation, nor is there any other obstacle in the canons in the way.
XXXII. To prevent the dreadful blasphemy of the name of God and of the saints, which should not be held in low esteem, we decree and command that every clergyman or priest who has openly blasphemed and reviled God, and thus with detestable words impugned God and our Lord Christ, or blasphemed his mother, the most blessed Virgin Mary, and other saints, should be regarded with the deprivation of his income or endowment, or with other punishments, according to the nature of his blasphemy and crime.
As for the shameful vice of simony, we do not depart from the decrees of the ancients, but want them to be followed and the punishments set forth therein to be executed.
XXXIV. Against the clergy, who by lot tell fortunes, interpret signs, practice sorcery, on whom both in holy scripture and in the Decretis patrum a curse is laid, we decree and order that, according to the opinion of the superiors, a stain of shame be attached to them; if they will not desist on remonstrance, they shall be expelled from office, confined for a time in a monastery, according to the opinion of the superiors, and deprived of all ecclesiastical benefactors and functions; but the other false Christians who entertain erroneous opinions in matters of faith, and are either heretics, or are attached to the Jewish side, shall be excluded from the sacred assembly of the church without respect of person.They are to be excluded from the holy assembly of Christians without regard to their person, and a thorough investigation is to be carried out against them by the ordinaries or their vicars, or by the inquisitors of heretical wickedness, or by the judges appointed by the apostolic see or by us, so that they may be deservedly punished if they do not repent.
Both the clergy and the laity should be forbidden to speak insolently of the holy faith, especially at feasts and banquets; especially the clergy should exercise all modesty and spend their time properly in reading the Old and New Testaments, so that they are not tempted by idleness to all kinds of vices and pleasures.
XXXVI We order and wish that each bishop take care that the vicarii, who may hereafter be perpetual or at will, are not subjected to any other form of supervision.
The prelates and other ecclesiastics are to be careful not to get too much of the necessities and necessities of life, so that they do not have the opportunity to burden the subjects for lack of food; they are also to remind the prelates and other ecclesiastics, in view of the apostolic command and the practice of the early church, not to forget the poor, and to behave so that one may precede the other in helping them.
XXXVII. There are also, besides those now narrated, many other things distinguished and suggested by the Popes, Sacred Councils, Provincial and Synodal Constitutions, which adorn the conduct of the clergy and prevent the offense of which Christ has warned from time to time; which things we wish to keep and observe as sacred, with the further injunction that the transgressors, according to the aforesaid Canonibus and Constitutions, shall be regarded with severe punishment.
XXXVIII. And for this reason we forbid all and every Vicariis and Officials, as well as all Archidiaconis and Diaconis in the country, along with others, whose office entails reporting and correcting the sins and faults in progress, or who are charged with this by the Ordinariis, that they do not look through the fingers of the transgressions and violations of any of our aforementioned constitutions, statutes and ordinances, for the sake of money offered or for any other reason, but rather duly exercise the punishments deserved and usual by right on the transgressors, according to the nature of the crime and the requirement of their duty. In order that this may be done, it is of no avail to pass laws.
We have decided to reintroduce the ancient use of such assemblies, and we order that every year, at least once a year, an episcopal synod shall be held, at an appropriate time, by all the bishops, with the participation of all the bishops, so that the Catholic faith may flourish and grow again, and the Church may regain its former prestige by the complete eradication of all heretical doctrines, which can be preserved almost by no better and more convenient means than by the assemblies: We, who wish to reintroduce the ancient use of such assemblies, therefore, decree and order that every year, at the least, an episcopal synod be appointed, at the appropriate time, by all the bishops, with the participation of the most distinguished prelates and deans in the country, as well as other dim men, among whom judges shall be chosen everywhere, who shall take diligent care that the decrees and other statutes of the bishops, which are to be established at the synods, are kept rigidly and firmly in place, since in an adverse case the temporal power can be called upon to help. Finally, we order that this Constitution and Ordinance of ours be diligently read out in the above-mentioned provincial and episcopal assemblies, right at the beginning, so that no one may in the future plead ignorance and excuse himself with it. Given at Regensburg, in the year after the birth of Christ 1524, July 7, of the Pontificate of His Papal Holiness in the first year.
Visas. Jul. Flo. Montinus.
D. de Paternina.
C. Piego.
Jodocus Hötfilter, of the Most Reverend Cardinal L. Campegii, Legati etc., Notarius, has signed it.