Title — Decretals of Gregory IX
Title XXVIII: On a Cleric Who Ministers Without Being Ordained
Chapter I
Latin source headnote: A cleric ministering in matters belonging to an order that he does not have is to be deposed and is not afterward to be ordained.
Pope Hormisdas.
If anyone who has not been ordained shall baptize or exercise any divine office, on account of his rashness let him be cast out of the church and never be ordained.
DE CLERICO NON ORDINATO MINISTRANTE.
Clericus, ministrans in pertinentibus ad ordinem, quem non habet, deponendus est, et amplius non ordinandus.
Hormisda Papa.
Si quis baptizaverit aut aliquod divinum officium exercuerit non ordinatus, propter temeritatem abiiciatur de ecclesia, et nunquam ordinetur.
Chapter II
Latin source headnote: A deacon who celebrates mass is not promoted to the priesthood and is suspended from the diaconate for a time; but concerning his benefice a dispensation can be granted for a time.
Urban III, to the Bishop of León.
It became known to us from the letters of your fraternity that the deacon I., the bearer of the present letters, wishing to be ordained priest before the proper time, asserted that he had obtained the sacerdotal grade through your ordination, and, although you had not imposed your hand upon him, presumed to usurp the celebration of masses. Afterward, however, at the Lord's inspiration, he returned to himself and, recognizing his own offense, humbly petitioned that counsel be given to him in so great a danger. Therefore, because concerning this your fraternity led us to be consulted, by the present letters We respond to your consultation that he cannot be promoted to the priestly office; and according to your provision, let him remain suspended from the diaconate for two or three years. But let him be treated mercifully concerning his benefice, lest, deprived of sustenance, he return to the business of the world. But so that you can show him this mercy more securely, do not cease to exhibit diligent care concerning him for completing the imposed penance. Without doubt, however, he will provide more healthfully for himself if he shall decide to transfer himself to the regular life.
Diaconus, missam celebrans, ad sacerdotium non promovetur, et a diaconatu suspenditur ad tempus; sed in beneficio poterit ad tempus dispensari. Urbanus III. Legionensi Episcopo.
Ex literis tuae fraternitatis innotuit nobis, quod I. diaconus praesentium lator, volens ante tempus in presbyterum ordinari, asseruit, se propter ordinationem tuam gradum sacerdotalem adeptum, et, quum non imposuisses ei manum, missarum celebrationem usurpare praesumpsit, postmodum vero Domino inspirante rediit ad se ipsum, et proprium recognoscens excessum, in tanto sibi periculo consuli humiliter postulavit. Quia igitur super hoc tua nos duxit fraternitas consulendos, literis praesentibus Consultationi tuae respondemus, quod ad sacerdotis officium non poterit promoveri; a diaconatu quoque biennio vel triennio pro tua maneat provisione suspensus. De beneficio autem misericorditer agatur cum eo, ne sustentatione privatus ad saeculi negotia revertatur. Ut autem securius ei possis hanc misericordiam facere, de agenda imposita poenitentia diligentem circa eum curam non desinas exhibere. Salubrius autem sibi absque dubio providebit, si ad regularem vitam se duxerit transferendum.