Title — Decretals of Gregory IX
Title XVIII: On Thefts
Chapter I
In Exodus.
He who steals a man and shall sell him, having been convicted of the offense, shall die by death.
DE FURTIS.
In Exodo.
Qui furatur hominem, et vendiderit eum, convictus noxae morte moriatur.
Chapter II
Latin source headnote: The ecclesiastical sacraments are to be denied to thieves and robbers dying in sin; it is otherwise if they repented at death.
From the Council of Tribur.
If thieves and robbers are killed while stealing or plundering, it was determined that prayer is not to be made for them. But if, having been captured or wounded, they shall have confessed to a priest or deacon, we do not deny them communion.
Furibus et latronibus in peccato obeuntibus sacramenta ecclesiastica deneganda sunt; secus, si in morte eos poenituit.
Ex concilio Triburiensi. Fures et latrones si in furando vel depraedando occiduntur, visum est, pro eis non esse orandum. Sed si comprehensi aut vulnerati presbytero vel diacono confessi fuerint, communionem eis non negamus.
Chapter III
Latin source headnote: One who commits theft from a necessity that is not very urgent sins, but not gravely; wherefore a light penance is to be imposed upon him. It says this according to the common understanding.
From the Penitential of Theodore.
If anyone shall have stolen foodstuffs, clothing, or livestock on account of the necessity of hunger or nakedness, let him do penance for three weeks; and, if he shall have returned it, let him not be compelled to fast.
Committens furtum ex necessitate non multum urgente, peccat, sed non graviter; unde imponenda est ei levis poenitentia. H. d. secundum communem intellectum.
Ex poenitentiali Theodori. Si quis propter necessitatem famis aut nuditatis furatus fuerit cibaria,vestem vel pecus, poeniteat hebdomadas tres, et, si reddiderit, non cogatur ieiunare.
Chapter IV
Latin source headnote: One who does not disclose a thief on account of the gain that he obtains from him is guilty of sin.
Jerome, on Proverbs.
“He who shares with a thief kills his own soul.” Not only the thief is held guilty, but also the one who, aware of the theft, does not disclose it when the possessor makes inquiry.
Non indicans furem propter lucrum, quod ab eo consequitur, reus peccati est.
Hieronymus super Parabolas.
"Qui cum fure partitur, occidit animam suam." Non fur solum, sed ille reus tenetur, qui, furti conscius, quaerente possessore non indicat.
Chapter V
Latin source headnote: A secret thief can, after restitution and penance, be promoted to sacred orders.
Alexander III, to the Bishop of Cremona.
From your letters, if we remember rightly, it became known to our ears, and the diligent report of the beloved son I., our subdeacon, disclosed, that B., the bearer of the present letters, seizing a certain chalice incautiously left in a church, presumed to retain it for a long time. Afterward, nevertheless, being led by repentance, he humbly and reverently disclosed his offense to a priest in confession, and, according to the counsel of the same priest, made satisfaction concerning it to the church, as was fitting. Wherefore, because on account of this very matter the discretion of your fraternity hesitates to ordain him, by apostolic writings and by way of precept We command your prudence that, if the aforesaid B. voluntarily confessed the offense of presumption of this kind, made satisfaction concerning it to the church whose chalice it had been, and has not been stained concerning this with a manifest mark or ill repute, after the penance or a suitable part of the penance has been completed, provided that you know him to be otherwise suitable, you do not hesitate to promote him to sacred orders.
Fur occultus potest post restitutionem et poenitentiam ad sacros ordines promoveri. Alexander III. Cremonensi Episcopo.
Ex literis tuis, si bene meminimus, auribus nostris innotuit, et dilecti filii I. subdiaconi nostri diligens relatio patefecit, quod B. lator praesentium calicem quendam in ecclesia minus caute dimissum rapiens, longo tempore detinere praesumpsit. Postea tamen poenitentia ductus presbytero in confessione excessum suum humiliter et reverenter aperuit, et ecclesiae iuxta eiusdem presbyteri consilium, prout dignum fuit, exinde satisfecit. Unde quoniam propter hoc ipsum tuae fraternitatis discretio dubitat ordinare, prudentiae tuae per apostolica scripta praecipiendo Mandamus, quatenus, si praedictus B. sponte confessus fuerit huiusmodi praesumptionis excessum, et exinde ecclesiae, cuius calix fuerat, satisfecerit, nec est super hoc nota vel infamia manifesta respersus, post peractam poenitentiam aut congruam partem poenitentiae, dummodo, alias idoneum ipsum esse cognoscas, ad sacros ordines non dubites promovere.