Question — Decretum of Gratian
Question II
GRATIAN. That the patronage of friends ought not to prevail in the election of any persons is proved by the authority of blessed Pope Gregory, who in the third book of the Register, [indiction 11, letter 22], writes to the Subdeacon Antonius, saying:
GRATIANUS. Quod autem amicorum patrocinia in aliquorum electione conualescere non debeant, auctoritate B. Gregorii Papae probatur, qui in tertio libro Registri [Indict. 11. ep. 22.] scribit Antonio Subdiacono, dicens:
Friedberg, col. 597/598
C. I. In the election of a bishop let neither the giving of gifts nor the patronage of any persons prevail.
Before all else, let this be your care: that in this election neither the giving of rewards intervene by any means nor the patronage of any persons prevail. For if anyone has been elected through the patronage of certain persons, when he has been ordained he is compelled by the requirement of reverence to obey their wills, and thus it happens that the property of that church is diminished and the ecclesiastical order is not preserved. Therefore, at your admonition, they ought to elect such a person as serves no one's improper will but, adorned in life and morals, can be found worthy of so great an order.
C. I. In electione episcopi nec munerum datio, nec aliquorum patrocinia conualescant.
Illud quidem pre omnibus curae tibi sit, ut in hac electione nec datio quibuscumque modis interueniat premiorum, nec quarumlibet personarum patrocinia conualescant. Nam si quorumdam patrocinio quisquam fuerit electus, uoluntatibus eorum, cum fuerit ordinatus, reuerentia exigente obedire conpellitur, sicque fit, ut res illius minuantur ecclesiae, et ordo ecclesiasticus non seruetur. Talem ergo te admonente debent personam eligere que nullius incongruae uoluntati deseruiat, sed uita et moribus decorata tanto ordine ualeat digna inueniri.
Friedberg, col. 597/598
C. II. In the election of a bishop let each look to the common utility, not to his own gain.
The same to the Clergy of Milan, [book II, indiction 11, letter 29]. Most beloved sons, admonished by the discipline of our office, we counsel that, in the matter of receiving a bishop, none of you, with the common utility neglected, look to his own gain, lest, if anyone seeks his own advantages, he be deceived by a frivolous estimation, because a mind which cupidity binds does not examine with free judgment the person to be preferred over it. Therefore, considering the things which are expedient for all, always furnish in all things the most complete obedience to him whom divine grace shall have preferred over you. For one once set over you ought no longer to be judged by you, but he is to be judged so subtly now to the extent that afterward he is not to be judged.
C. II. In electione antistitis communi utilitati, non suo lucro quisque prospiciat.
Idem ad Clerum Mediolanensem. [lib. II. Indict. 11. ep. 29.] Dilectissimi filii, offitii nostri censura conmoniti suademus, ut in suscipiendi antistitis causa nullus uestrum neglecta utilitate conmuni suo lucro prospiciat, ne, si quisquam propria commoda appetit, friuola estimatione fallatur, quia nec libero iudicio preferendam sibi personam examinat mens, quam cupiditas ligat. Pensantes ergo que cunctis expediunt, ei, quem uobis diuina gratia pretulerit, integerrimam semper in omnibus obedientiam prebete. Iudicari namque a uobis ultra non debet semel prelatus, sed tanto nunc subtiliter iudicandus est, quanto postmodum iudicandus non est.
Friedberg, col. 597/598