Title — Decretals of Gregory IX
Title XXVII: On the Office of the Custodian
Chapter I
Latin source headnote: It sets forth what pertains to the office of the custodian. This is what it says.
From the Book of the Roman Order.
The custodian of the church, to whom the things belonging to the church are committed to be guarded, ought to obey the command of his archdeacon in all things. At the canonical hours the signals of the bells are to be sounded by him at the command of the archdeacon himself. Let him ceaselessly guard the palls or linens of the altar and all the utensils of the church. Let him be thoroughly vigilant in lighting and extinguishing the lamps and lanterns, lest the oil perish through their shining beyond measure or the church be darker through their shining too little; rather, let all things be done with discretion, which is known to be the mother of all virtues.
§ 1. But if the one to whom the church is delivered to be guarded is less suitable for performing this, let him be restrained by the archdeacon so that he correct himself. But if he remains untamed, let the archdeacon provide, by reporting it to the bishop, that the unfitting man be cast out and a suitable minister be appointed for the house of God, so that all things may be done to the praise and name of God, in such a way that God may be appeased in the church by those serving him.
DE OFFICIO CUSTODIS.
Ponit, quae spectant ad officium custodis. H. d.
Ex libro Romani ordinis.
Custos ecclesiae, cui ea, quae ecclesiae competunt, custodienda committuntur, oportet, ut sui archidiaconi iussioni in cunctis obediat, in canonicis horis signa tintinabulorum pulsanda, ipso archidiacono iubente, ab eo pulsentur, pallia vel linteamina altaris, seu cuncta utensilia ecclesiae indesinenter custodiat, lampades et laternas in accendendo, seu in exstinguendo pervigil exsistat, ne aut supra modum lucendo oleum depereat, aut minus lucendo obscurior sit ecclesia; sed omnia cum discretione agantur, quae noscitur omnium virtutum esse mater. § 1. Si vero is, cui ecclesia custodienda traditur, minus idoneus ad hoc peragendum exstiterit, ab archidiacono coerceatur, ut se emendit. Si autem indomitus permanserit, archidiaconus episcopo denunciando provideat, ut indecente eiecto aptus domui Dei constituatur minister, ut omnia in laudem et nomen Dei fiant, qualiter placari possit Deus in ecclesia ab observientibus sibi.
Chapter II
Latin source headnote: To the same effect.
From the Council of Toledo.
The custodian ought to be solicitous concerning every ornament of the church, its lights, and incense; he ought also at all times to have bread and wine prepared for Mass, to sound the signal at each canonical hour with the consent of the archdeacon, and, with the same man's consent while the bishop is absent, to divide among the brothers all offerings, alms, and tithes.
§ 1. Holy mother Church ought to stand upon these three columns of the church, as the holy synod enacted, so that such persons as appear better and holier may be ordained to this work, so that no negligence may appear to exist in the holy Church of God. Let these three—the archdeacon, archpriest, and custodian—joined together with one mind, perform their duties providently and perfectly, and let there be neither envy nor jealousy among them.
Ad idem.
Ex concilio Toletano.
Custos vero sollicitus debet esse de omni ornamento ecclesiae, et luminariis sive incenso, nec non panem et vinum omni tempore praeparatum ad missam habere debet, et per singulas horas canonicas signum ex consensu archidiaconi sonare, et omnes oblationes seu eleemosynas, seu decimas, cum eiusdem tamen consensu absente episcopo, inter fratres dividat. § 1. In his tribus ecclesiae columnis, ut sancta sanxit synodus, consistere debet alma mater ecclesia, ut ad hoc opus tales ordinentur, quales plus meliores et sanctiores esse viderint, ut nulla negligentia in sancta Dei ecclesia esse videatur. Hi tres, archidiaconus, archipresbyter, custos, simul iuncti uno animo provide peragant et perfecte, et non sit invidia neque zelus inter illos.