Chapter II: On the Office of Censors in the Previous Examination of Books

38. Let bishops, whose office it is to grant the faculty of printing books, take care that for examining them they employ men of tried piety and doctrine, concerning whose faith and integrity they can promise themselves that they will give nothing to favor, nothing to hatred, but, every human affection having been put aside, will look only to the glory of God and the utility of the faithful people.

39. Concerning various opinions and sentences (according to the precept of Benedict XIV) let censors know that they must judge with a mind empty of all prejudices. Therefore let them shake off affection of nation, family, school, institute; let them lay aside party zeal; let them have before their eyes solely the dogmas of the holy Church and the common doctrine of Catholics, which are contained in the decrees of general councils, the constitutions of the Roman Pontiffs, and the consensus of doctors.

40. When the examination has been completed, if nothing seems to stand in the way of the publication of the book, the Ordinary, in writing and entirely gratis, should grant to the author the license of publishing it, to be printed at the beginning or at the end of the work.