Question II

GRATIAN. But that this man, once his health has been recovered, seeks his chair again is held valid by no authority. Yet if he left off the celebration of sacrifices because of infirmity, he is not prohibited from carrying it out once his health has been recovered. Hence Alexander II writes to Gebhard, Archbishop of Salzburg:

The following was contained in your letters: This cleric possesses the order of priest; but because he suffers from the falling sickness, and we ourselves have recognized this at the present time, we did not dare to permit him to offer or celebrate Mass. But because illness is not a fault, we have resolved that counsel should be given on this matter by the decree of our authority. We therefore counsel that, if he is frequently touched by this illness, he be prohibited by every means from the offering and the celebration of Masses. For it is indecent and dangerous that, overcome by the epileptic illness, he should fall during the consecration of the Eucharist. But if by the mercy of God he recovers, since not fault but infirmity is the cause, we no longer forbid him to offer sacrifice.

Likewise Pope Gelasius to Bishops Rusticus and Fortunatus. Recently the clerics of the church of Foropopoli, together with the laymen Sabinus and Pelagius, disclosed by their own report that their prelate was troubled by a certain grave necessity, by the onset of which they said that he was frequently dashed down. Lest this appear to introduce scandal among the faithful and disturb the church of God established everywhere by this offense, especially since they affirmed that with the same man willing they had proceeded here, we directed writings to your affection so that you might render an appropriate visitation to the church whose ruler is held bound by such a misfortune. But because the same pontiff has now come here and proclaims that all the things spread abroad concerning him are false, with regard for the contemplation of divine judgment and for your conscience and estimation, let the truth of the matters be most carefully investigated—namely, whether he is proved at any time, either in a house, in a procession, or in any other place whatsoever, suddenly to have collapsed, uttered confused cries, and cast foam from his mouth; let it be inquired into with as great an examination as can be made. Yet whether this cannot be confirmed by the testimony of any persons or is said never to have happened, it must not be thought that this can suffice; rather, let there be certain and manifest proof, because a matter so great is not to be handled too sluggishly. Let your affection, brother Rusticus, make the affair characteristic of itself and suitable for a great pontiff, so that you establish him with you for at least thirty days and compel him, as a necessary test, to eat meats without distinction.