Causa I

GRATIAN. A certain man who had a son offered him to a very wealthy monastery. When ten pounds were demanded by the abbot and the brothers, he paid them so that his son might be received, the son himself, however, being unaware of this by reason of the privilege of his age. The boy grew, and through the successive stages of time and offices arrived at manhood and the grade of the priesthood. Thereafter, with his merits supporting him, he was elected bishop, service and paternal entreaties intervening; and, money also having been given to one of the archbishop’s counselors, he was consecrated a prelate, unaware of his father’s service and of the money offered. But as time proceeded, he ordained some persons for money, while to certain others he gave the priestly blessing gratuitously. At last, accused and convicted before his metropolitan, he received a sentence of condemnation against himself. (Q. I.) Here it is first asked whether it is a sin to buy spiritual things. (Q. II.) Second, whether money is to be demanded for entrance into a church, or, if demanded, whether it is to be paid. (Q. III.) Third, whether to buy entrance into a church or prebends is simoniacal. (Q. IV.) Fourth, whether this man is guilty of the crime that his father committed without his knowledge. (Q. V.) Fifth, whether he is permitted to remain in the church or to exercise that ordination which he obtained by his father’s money. (Q. VI.) Sixth, whether those who, in ignorance, were ordained by him when he was already a simoniac are to be cast out or not. (Q. VII.) Seventh, if, upon renouncing his heresy, he is to be received in the episcopal dignity or not.