Causa XV

GRATIAN. A certain cleric is said to have fallen into a carnal crime before he obtained the priestly blessing. But after he attained the priesthood, having been turned to madness, he killed a certain man. Upon recovering his health, however, he is accused before the bishop by the woman with whom he is said to have fallen. The bishop examines the case on Sunday. The priest denies the crime charged against him; he seeks the patronage of certain clerics for himself, but they furnish patronage to him not without a price. At last the bishop extorts a confession by tortures; finally, alone and without a synodal hearing, he strikes him with a sentence. (QUESTION I.) It is asked whether things done with an alienated mind are to be imputed. (QUESTION II.) Second, whether clerics are permitted to exact gifts for patronage furnished. (QUESTION III.) Third, whether he is to be condemned from the confession of the woman. (QUESTION IV.) Fourth, whether his case is to be ventilated on Sunday. (QUESTION V.) Fifth, whether compurgation is to be offered to him when he denies the charge. (QUESTION VI.) Sixth, whether his confession is to be extorted by tortures. (QUESTION VII.) Seventh, whether a bishop is able to condemn a priest without a synodal hearing. (QUESTION VIII.) Eighth, if he has confessed spontaneously or has been convicted by others that he sinned before ordination, whether he is permitted to exercise the office of the order received.