Question — Decretum of Gratian
Question IV
GRATIAN. That clerics are not permitted to withdraw from their own bishop before the time of sentence is proved by the authority of Pope Symmachus, who says:
GRATIANUS. Quod autem ante clericis tempus sententiae ab episcopo suo discedere non liceat, probatur auctoritate Simaci Papae, dicentis:
Friedberg, col. 599/600
C. I. Before the time of sentence clerics are not permitted to withdraw from their own bishop.
Are not the words of the canons direct: “If any of the clerics has withdrawn from his own bishop before the time of sentence because of a doubtful suspicion, does not a manifest censure remain upon him?”
§ 1. For ecclesiastical law requires that a pontiff accused by others not be abandoned before the charges have been established in the light.
C. I. Ante tempus sententiae non licet clericis ab episcopo suo discedere.
Nonne directa sunt uerba canonum: "Qui clericorum ab episcopo suo ante tempus sententiae pro dubia suspicione discesserit, manifestam in eum manere censuram?"
§. 1. Lex enim ecclesiastica pontificem ab aliis accusatum prius, quam sub luce obiecta constiterint exigit non relinqui.
Friedberg, col. 599/600