Distinction XCVIII

GRATIAN. What things are to be observed concerning those to be ordained, and what things are diligently to be considered in their election, have been shown by the authorities of many. But because the truth of the matter is sometimes obscured by a change of province, it was decreed by the sacred canons that strangers are not to be ordained unless they have been commended by the written attestations of five or more of their own bishops.

Hence Pope Sylvester, presiding in a general synod, said:

Let no one among us for any reason receive a transmarine man into a grade of the clergy unless he is designated by written attestations of five bishops.

Likewise Anastasius [I], Bishop of the city of Rome, to all the Bishops, [epistle I, c. 2]. Let no one receive transmarine men into the honor of the clergy unless they have been designated by written attestations of five or more bishops, because many things customarily happen through surreption.

Likewise Gregory, prelate of the Roman Church, to the Bishop of Squillace, [book II, epistle 25]. By no reason are you to receive indiscriminately Africans and unknown strangers seeking ecclesiastical orders, because some among the Africans are Manichaeans and others have been rebaptized; but very many strangers constituted in the lesser orders have often been proved to have pretended higher honors concerning themselves.

Likewise from the Council of Elvira, [c. 24]. Concerning all who have been baptized abroad, because their life is not at all known, it pleased the council that they are not to be promoted to the clergy in foreign provinces.