Distinction LXIX

GRATIAN. Part III. A cleric’s tonsure, however, can be received from the hand of an abbot, if it is known that the imposition of hands was made upon that abbot by a bishop. Hence it reads in the Seventh Synod, [c. 14]:

Since we see many receiving the cleric’s tonsure from a tender age without the imposition of hands, and, though they have not yet received the imposition of hands from a bishop, irregularly reading from the ambo in the assembly, we command that from now on this is by no means to be done. The same thing is also to be observed among monks. Part II. § 1. Every abbot, however, has license to make a reader by imposition of hands only in his own monastery, provided that it is known that the imposition of hands was made upon that abbot by a bishop according to the custom for appointing abbots, so long as it is established that he is a priest. § 2. In like manner, according to ancient custom, a chorepiscopus ought to promote readers by the bishop’s precept.

Likewise from the Council of Laodicea, [c. 26]. Those who have not yet been advanced by bishops ought not to exorcize, either in churches or in houses.