Distinction XCI

GRATIAN. Part I. But one who is prohibited from seeking a livelihood for himself by shameful gain or dishonorable business is to obtain stipends from the offerings of the Church. But if the Church cannot suffice for him, let him find necessities for himself by his own craft or by agriculture, after the example of the Apostle, who lived from the labor of his hands, yet in such a way that by occasion of his work he not be absent from the vigils of the Church, something which is permitted to no one with impunity without bodily infirmity.

Hence Pope Pelagius:

Eleutherius, our brother and fellow bishop, complains that his clerics act proudly against him contrary to the canons, and that, although he promised by a pledge made in the archive at our command that vigils would be celebrated daily in his church, he cannot fulfill it because they scorn it, but rather each attends to his own business with the service of the Church set aside. And therefore, by due rebuke restrain those whom he shows you to be contumacious, and compel them in every way to devote themselves to vigils.

[PALEA.

Likewise from the Council of Nantes. In the morning, when the morning office has been completed, let the priest discharge the due burden of his service by chanting prime, terce, sext, and none, yet in such a way that afterward, at the fitting hours and when the signals designate them, they are publicly completed, according to possibility, either by himself or by the scholars. Then, when the hours have been completed and the sick visited, if he wishes, let him go out fasting to rural work, so that he may again be able to come to the aid of the needs of pilgrims and guests or of various travelers, and also of the sick and dead, until the hour established according to the character and suitability of the time. Likewise from the sayings of Saint Benedict: § 1. The Prophet says: “Seven times in the day I have spoken praise to you.” This sacred number seven will thus be fulfilled by us if we discharge the offices of our service at the time of matins, prime, terce, sext, none, vespers, and compline, because concerning these the Prophet said: “Seven times in the day I have spoken praise to you.” For concerning the nocturnal vigils the same Prophet says: “At midnight I arose to confess to you.” Therefore at these times let us return praises to our Creator for the judgments of his justice.]

Hence it reads in the same Council of Carthage, [IV, cc. 52 and 49]. Let a cleric prepare food and clothing for himself by a little craft or by agriculture, provided only that it be without detriment to his office. § 1. For a cleric who, without bodily infirmity, is absent from vigils is to be deprived of his stipend and excommunicated.

Likewise from the same, [cc. 51, 53, 48, and 50]. Let every cleric instructed in the word of God seek his livelihood by a craft. Likewise: § 1. Let all clerics who are able to work learn both little crafts and letters. But those who walk about in fairs or in the market not for the purpose of buying anything are to be degraded from their office. Those, however, who amid temptations turn aside from their office or act more negligently are to be removed from that office.

Likewise from the First Council of Orléans, [c. 28]. But clerics who scorn to be present for the holy work are to receive ecclesiastical discipline according to the judgment of the bishop.