Question — Decretum of Gratian
Question III
GRATIAN. That, after their parents’ promise, they cannot marry others is shown by the authority of the Council of Elvira, [c. 54], in which it is said:
GRATIANUS. Quod autem post parentum sponsionem aliis nubere non ualeant, auctoritate Elibertani Concilii [c. 54.] monstratur, qua dicitur:
Friedberg, col. 1115/1116
SOLE CHAPTER. Concerning parents who break the pledge of a betrothal.
If any parents have broken the pledge of a betrothal, let them abstain from communion for a period of three years. But if the same bridegroom or bride have not been discovered in that grave crime, the parents will be excused. But if they have been involved in the same vice and have polluted themselves by consenting, let the foregoing judgment be observed.
GRATIAN. Behold, it is not lawful for parents to break the betrothals of their children. But this is to be understood of those betrothals that are contracted with the children’s consent.
C. UN. De parentibus, qui fidem frangunt sponsaliorum.
Si qui parentes fidem fregerint sponsaliorum, triennii tempore a conmunione abstineant. Si uero idem sponsus uel sponsa in illo graui crimine non fuerint deprehensi, excusati erunt parentes. Si uero in eodem fuerint uicio, et polluerint se consentiendo, superior sentencia seruetur. Gratian. Ecce, quod non licet parentibus sponsalia filiorum suorum frangere. Verum hoc de illis intelligendum est, que illorum consensu contrahuntur.
Friedberg, col. 1115/1116