From the Letter of Gelasius, to the Bishops of Lucania, A.D. 494

Decree XX. We have learned that certain men rashly associate themselves to sacred virgins, and after the purpose dedicated to God mix incestuous and sacrilegious covenants. It is equitable that these be immediately driven from sacred communion and in no way received except through public and approved penance. Yet the viaticum is not to be denied to those departing from this world, if nevertheless they have repented.

If nuptials of this sort are called incestuous covenants, it is evident from the mind of Gelasius that there is no true marriage. Cf. Decree XII of Innocent I to Victricius above and the following decree of Gelasius. "Virgins who marry after consecration are not so much adulteresses as incestuous," said Jerome against Jovinian, book I, n. 13.

Decree XXI. For concerning widows, who are not to be veiled under any blessing, we have said enough and at length above (Decree XIII). Those (unveiled widows) who by their own will have trampled with a changeable mind upon the chastity of the former marriage which they professed, it will pertain to their peril with what satisfaction they ought to placate God, because according to the Apostle they have made the first faith void. For just as, if perhaps they were not able to contain themselves, according to the Apostle, they were by no means forbidden to marry, so, after deliberation has been held with themselves, they ought to keep the faith of modesty promised to God. But we ought not to cast any snare upon such women, but only to propose the exhortations of eternal reward and the penalties of divine judgment, so that both our conscience may be absolved and their intention may render an account for itself to God.

Consider that Gelasius speaks here about those who are not veiled, and therefore decrees otherwise about them than about the veiled, just as Innocent also does in the cited decree. Namely, nuptials are prohibited to these women, but, once contracted, are not dissolved.

Decree XXII. As it is conceded to secular persons to enter second nuptials, so after them no one is permitted to come to the clerical college. For, this license having been generally conceded to human frailty, the life dedicated to the service of divine things ought to be different.