Question — Decretum of Gratian
Question I
GRATIAN. Concerning the first question Pope Hadrian writes, [in the capitularies, c. 49, otherwise 50], saying:
GRATIANUS. De prima questione Adrianus Papa scribit, [in capitulis, cap. 49. al. 50.] dicens:
Friedberg, col. 543/544
C. I. Let one who has neglected to prove writings against another's reputation be flogged.
One who has publicly fabricated a writing or insulting words against another's reputation and, upon being discovered, has not proved the writings shall be flogged; and let the one who first finds it tear it up, if he does not wish to incur liability for the author's deed.
C. I. Flagelletur qui scripta in alterius famam probare neglexerit.
Qui in alterius famam publice scripturam aut uerba contumeliosa confinxerit, et repertus scripta non probauerit, flagelletur, et qui eam prius inuenerit rumpat, si non uult auctoris facti causam incurrere.
Friedberg, col. 543/544
C. II. Concerning the same.
Likewise Gregory, [book V, letter 30]. A certain man, filled with the counsel of a malignant spirit, in the silence of night placed in a location of the city a public declaration speaking criminally against Castorius, our notary and representative, and it also asserted to me that he craftily opposed the making of peace. If he does not come forth and publicly confess—whoever he may be who has presumed to do this or who gave his assent to the counsel of so great an iniquity—we decree by the Spirit of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ that he be deprived of participation in His holy body and blood. But if, because he is hidden and because he is unknown, he cannot be subjected to discipline, and, conscious of so great an evil and prohibited, presumes to receive the body and blood of the Lord, let him be struck by the punishment of anathema, so that, as a deceitful and pestiferous man, he may be divided from the body of holy Church. But if, upon entering that same city, he can publicly prove what he said, or, knowing for certain that he cannot demonstrate what he wrote, has openly confessed his error, let him not be deprived of participation in the Lord's body and blood, nor be regarded as estranged from the body of holy Church.
C. II. De eodem.
Item Gregorius. [l. V. epist. 30.] Quidam maligni spiritus consilio repletus, contra Castorium notarium ac responsalem nostrum nocturno silentio in ciuitatis loco contestationem posuit in eius crimine loquentem, mihique etiam asserebat eum de facienda pace callide contradicentem. Qui si non exierit, neque publice confessus fuerit, quisquis ille sit qui hoc agere presumpserit, uel consensum tantae iniquitatis consilio prebuit, ex Dei et Domini nostri Iesu Christi spiritu diffinimus, ut sancti eius corporis ac sanguinis participatione priuatus sit. Sin uero, quia latet, et quoniam nescitur, teneri ad disciplinam non ualet, tanti mali conscius, et prohibitus, corpus et sanguinem Domini percipere presumit, anathematis ultione percutiatur, ut fallax ac pestifer a sanctae ecclesiae corpore sit diuisus. Sin autem in eandem ciuitatem ingressus publice potuerit docere que dixit, uel certe sciens se non posse que scripsit ostendere, errorem suum fuerit aperte confessus, dominici corporis et sanguinis participatione non sit priuatus, neque a sanctae ecclesiae corpore alienus existat.
Friedberg, col. 543/544
C. III. Let those who place defamatory libels in a church be anathematized.
Likewise from the Council of Elvira, [c. 52]. Let those who are found to place defamatory libels in a church be anathematized. GRATIAN. In the Code, book IX, title On Defamatory Libels, Emperors Valentinian and Valens: If anyone, unaware of its origin, finds a defamatory libel, whether at home, in public, or in any place whatsoever, let him either destroy it before another finds it or disclose its discovery to no one. But if he does not immediately either destroy those pages or consume them by fire, but has made their force known, let him know that he is to be subjected to a capital sentence as though he were the author of an offense of this kind. Such a libel, however, shall not harm another's reputation.
C. III. Anathematizentur qui famosos libellos in ecclesia ponunt.
Item ex Concilio Eliberitano. [c. 52.] Hii qui inuenti fuerint libellos famosos in ecclesia ponere, anathematizentur. [Gratian.] Codice libro IX. titulo de famosis libellis, Inpp. Valentinianus et Valens: Si quis famosum libellum siue domi, siue in publico, siue quocumque loco ignarus repererit, aut corrumpat prius, quam alter inueniat, aut nulli confiteatur inuentum. Sin uero non statim easdem cartulas uel corruperit, uel igni consumpserit, sed uim earum manifestauerit, sciat, se quasi auctorem huiusmodi delicti capitali sententiae subiugandum. Huiusmodi autem libellus alterius opinionem non ledat.
Friedberg, col. 545/546