Question VI: Who are to be received into religion

I suppose that the individual Orders have some particular statutes on this matter. Since however there are four principal Rules, namely of Basil, Augustine, Benedict, and Francis, yet the individual Orders differ in their statutes, much more those alien to them, as the Carthusians and the Jesuits.

I shall say in this matter what is more or less common, and meets each case.

First, Bishops, bound by oath to the most holy Pope, cannot be received without his leave. Thus D. Thom. question 189. article 7. from the chapter Nisi cum pridem de renunc.

Secondly, nor spouses with marriage consummated chapter Quidam, and the chapter Placet de convers. coniugat. Yet by mutual consent chapter Cum sis, chapter Uxoratus, chapter Ad Apost. de convers. coniugat. they can enter; but the woman, if she is young, or such that incontinence on her part might be feared if she remain in the world, is bound to enter a monastery, the husband entering too. Otherwise it is enough if she vow continence into the hands of the Bishop.

The judgment must be made from the person's state, health, and past life, as Poncius says de matrim. lib. IX. cap. 12. Whether there is danger, the Bishop will judge chapter si vir, et uxor, 27. quaest. 2. chapter Quia Agatho, chapter scripsisti nobis, 27. quaest. 2. as S. Bonaventure observes on chapter 2. of the Rule, where S. Father Francis provided for this.

S. Doctor notes that the age due for this, so that the wife may remain in the world without suspicion, with the husband entering Religion, is to be measured more by stability of virtue than by the course of years; for it is said Sap. 4. The senses of a man are grey hairs, and a spotless life is the age of old age. Poncius consents in the place cited, as does Bassaeus V. Religio 2. num. 2. Therefore he does not determine that she be fifty years old, as Sanchez would have it de matrim. lib. VII. disp. 32. num. 15. Gutierrez de matrim. cap. 95. Bonacina quaest. 3. puncto 3. num. 12. Filliucius tract. 10. part. 2. num. 133. Nor does he decree that she be sixty, with Faustus in theol. relig. lib. V. quaest 55. Azor tract. 1. lib. XII. cap. 1. quaestio 6.

Yet in a ratified marriage, one can enter religion against the spouse's will, chapter verum, chapter ex publico, de convers. coniug. Or if the man has consummated within a two-month period, Diana de sacr. resol. 242. part. 3. Or if one commits adultery chapter Agathosa 27. quaest. 2. chapter Portio de divort. but not if he has forgiven it. Or if the spouse falls into heresy dist. 32. quaest. 1. cap. 1.

Thirdly, one who has deflowered a virgin under promise of marriage. See Diana part. 3. de sacrament. Resol. 203.

Fourthly, a slave against his master's will chapter si quis 17. quaest. 2.

Fifthly, one who is a debtor; thus D. Thom. 2. 2. q. ult. art. 6. I say a debtor by contract or by wrong, as I said de Rest. Yet the profession will be valid, though illicit from the Clementine S. In suprema, where the Bull of Sixtus V is moderated.

Sixthly, those bound to render accounts from Sixtus V. Cum de omnibus.

Seventhly, sons whose parents lie in grave poverty: or conversely.

Eighthly, minors without the leave of parents or guardians, D. Thom. 1. 2. quaest. 88. art. 9. et q. 101. art. 4. et quaest. ult. art. 5.

Ninthly, an illegitimate one whose father, still living, has professed in that religion. But by their own statutes some orders exclude homicides, the infamous, and those born of Jews, Saracens, or heretics.

Eleventhly, those disfigured in body; for these are barred from the altar, c. De corp. vitiato, and chapter 2. de cler. aegrot.

Twelfthly, the infamous. Add from the Constitution of Sixtus V. criminals. These are they who have perpetrated shameful deeds, and these are notorious. Likewise exclude those gravely suspected.

Twelfthly, Bigami cannot be Clerics.

The Prelate is indeed bound to be informed; and if through his fault a criminal, or one bound by accounts, etc., is received, he incurs the penalties of deprivation of voice, of incapacity for all offices, honors, etc. See Tamburinus tract. 3. de iure Abbat. disp. 6. quaest. 4. Portel. dub. Reg. v. Novitii informat. Rodriquez tract. 3. gg. regul. quaest. 10. Miranda tract. 1. quaest. 17. 18. 19. Peyrinus tract. 2. de Praelat. quaest. 3. cap. 1. §. 1. Vecch. in prax. disp. 6. dub. 7. Bassaeus V. Religio 2. who warns, that the one received is bound to disclose his grave impediment.

Therefore those are to be received who are fit to serve Religion. Wherefore those who receive the unfit or the worthless are guilty of deadly fault.