PART ONE SECTION ONE
PONTIFICAL DOCUMENTS
Translation and notes by
RENATO GASTALDI
and
COSTANZO CARGNONI
I FRATI CAPPUCCINI. Documenti e Testimonianze del Primo Secolo. A cura di COSTANZO CARGNONI. Roma 1982, 75-79.
4. BULL “EXPONI NOBIS” OF PAUL III
Rome, 25 August 1536. – The bull Religionis zelus is confirmed, and what had been granted to Ludovico da Fossombrone in the aforementioned bull is transferred to the person of the vicar general Bernardino d’Asti and his successors; it is ordered that the vicars general of the Order be confirmed within three days by the master general of the conventuals, whose jurisdiction and obligations over the Capuchin Order are defined and limited. Due to the conferral of plenary authority and power of governance by the aforementioned minister on the general and provincial vicars, these are true superiors, whom the friars are required to obey by virtue of the precept of the Rule. Various internal rules are given, and it is forbidden, under penalty of excommunication, to wear the Capuchin habit to anyone who is not under the obedience of the vicar general of the Order.
Source: AGO, QA 221, no. 260, authentic transcript of 22 October 1537. Cf. AC I, 221-225; AM XVI, 471-475 (408-411); BC I, 18-20; BR VI, 229-235.
21 Paul bishop, servant of the servants of God, in perpetual memory of the fact.
1. Recently the beloved sons, the current vicar and the friars of the Order of Minors, called Capuchins, have let us know that, when Pope Clement, our predecessor of happy memory, was given account by some friars, then appointed of the Order of Minors, who desired, for the salvation of their soul and the glory of God, to lead a eremitical life and observe the Rule of Blessed Francis as much as human frailty permitted, the beloved son provincial master of the Order of Minors, called Conventuals, from the province of the March of Ancona, granted them access to the Roman curia and to ask and obtain any concession from Clement himself, his predecessor, and from the Apostolic See, for the salvation of their souls and the glory of God; and the cardinal priest Andrea of honoured memory, of the title, when he lived, of Santa Prisca and protector, in life, of the said Order, consented to them to make such a supplication, provided that they were required to present each year one of their community to the provincial master of such friars called Conventuals, of the place where they lived, or to the chapter, in the name of all and as a sign of submission, and that said master, if it seemed appropriate to him, would visit them only once every year and no more, and if he had found that they did not observe the Rule, admonished them and forced them in due ways to observe it in the most perfect way.
22 2. Besides this, however, the said master could neither have transferred them from place to place, nor enjoined them or required anything else from them, but rather should have protected and defended them, so that they might attend to serving the Almighty in peace, as it is said is contained more fully in the relative patent letters of the cardinal protector and of the provincial master.[1]
23 3. Our predecessor Clement himself, considering both the aforementioned letters and the content to be evident, favourable to the pleas of these friars in that matter, granted them with his letters, both “sub plumbo” and in the form of a “brief”, the faculty , as it is expressed very clearly in them, to lead an eremitical life according to the aforementioned Rule, to wear a habit with a square hood, to admit both secular and lay clergy and priests into their community, to wear beards both themselves and those who, as granted, they would have been allowed to retreat into hermitages or any other place with the consent of the lords of such places, to live in them and lead an austere and eremitical life, to beg in any place, to possess and enjoy aeque principaliter, freely and lawfully, all and individual privileges, indults and graces granted up to that moment, or bestowed in the future, in general and in particular, to the aforementioned Order of friars minors and to the Camaldolese hermitage of the blessed Romuald and to his hermits.
24 4. Since, as the aforementioned exposition added, by virtue of these letters the friars mentioned, or one of them by commission of the others, received some secular and religious clerics and also lay people, giving life to the congregation of the friars minor called Capuchins, and now they want these letters to be confirmed and extended, they have humbly sent us the request that we deign, out of apostolic benevolence, to comply with their requests.
25 5. We, considering the copious fruits that the same Order of Friars Minor has produced in the militant Church up to now, trust with firm hope that it will also produce them in the future. Considering it worthy, therefore, to employ our benevolent favours with regard to what concerns the increase of the same Order, in favour of such supplications we approve and confirm, by apostolic authority and our certain knowledge, the letters of our predecessor Pope Clement, whose content we want once again to be considered as expressed to the beloved son currently vicar general, for a fixed period, of the Capuchin congregation, and to the friars of the same congregation; and we order that their content, as a whole and in individual parts, concerns them as if these letters had been addressed to the same congregation and to the aforementioned friars.
26 6. With these letters, furthermore, we order and establish, with the same authority and knowledge, that in the future the vicar general of the aforementioned Capuchin friars, at the end of the three-year period for which he was elected to the office of vicar, or even sooner or later, in accordance with the Rule and the laudable constitutions[2] of the same friars, he may convene to chapter the vicars, discretes and custodians of each province and custody subject to him, having a voice in the congregation, in a place to be established by the vicar general himself. And if any of them cannot attend the chapter due to a legitimate impediment, he can be replaced by a nuncio designated by them, or his vote can be substituted according to their custom.
27 7. They, thus gathered, may each and every thing of which the other friars of the said Order in their general chapter are capable, by common or customary law or by privilege: act, order, dispose, and above all have the faculty to elect a religious of the same Order and congregation as an authentic vicar general, and to present, for himself or for others, as soon as possible, the election of the same vicar, if there is the concurrence of the majority of the electors, to the master general of the pre-appointed friars called Conventuals,[3] as has been done up to now and until the Apostolic See orders otherwise on this matter.
28 8. The said master general is required to confirm the elected vicar within three days of the presentation received by him, granting and fully entrusting him with his own responsibilities, i.e. conferring on him full and free power and all his faculties over all and individual friars of the same Order, called Capuchins, even if they were called by another name, both on superiors and on subjects; to visit them publicly or privately; to celebrate, or ensure that the congregations in the provinces and custodians subject to him are celebrated, both for the election of vicars, discretes, custodians and guardians, and for other useful affairs: to receive new places, friaries and hermitages; to correct and punish, excommunicate and absolve, incarcerate and release the subject friars; coerce opponents and rebels through ecclesiastical censures and other remedies, both of the common law and of the aforementioned Order, resorting, if necessary, to the secular or ecclesiastical arm; as well as, in general and in particular, to do, accomplish and arrange, order, administer and implement all those things regarding the friars, friaries, houses, places and such hermitages, which the master general of the said Order would do if he personally visited the friars, the friaries, the houses, the places and the hermitages of the named Conventual friars, whether he was present or intervened personally. To delegate, as well, and grant to other friars who he deems suitable in this matter, the same authorities, powers, graces and faculties, in whole or in part, granted by the master general to the vicar general himself; and to ensure that these faculties are in turn delegated and conferred by the commissioners of the aforementioned vicar.
After three days have elapsed and confirmation has not been received by the elect, he is considered confirmed by the authority of the Apostolic See, with full powers, until the election of the successor; and during this time he cannot renounce his office without the knowledge of all the vicars and provincial discretes, or at least the majority of them. He may, however, summon all the vicars and discretes dependent on him, during the time of his mandate, in the place designated by him, whenever it seems appropriate to him.[4]
29 9. If it should happen that the vicar general ceases this life during the period of his office, or is removed from office, the vicar in whose province he will die or be removed, give notice as soon as possible to all the definitors of the immediately preceding general chapter and all the provincial vicars, and with the advice and consent of the two closest provincial vicars, establish the place and time, if they had not already been designated either by the general chapter or by the vicar himself before his death, and summon all those who must be summoned, to proceed with the election of the successor. During the vacancy, the office of this vicar is exercised by the authority of the Apostolic See by the first of the aforementioned definitors, and when these are absent, the second, and so, in succession, by the others, with the fullness of the aforementioned power.[5]
30 10. The same applies to provincial vicars, if they happen to die or are removed from office. The provinces are to be directed and governed by the first and, subsequently, by the other definitors of the immediately preceding chapter, as has been said above of the vicar general, always saves and reserves the aforementioned power to the vicar general.
31 11. Both the aforementioned master and the general minister of the Order of Minors, and any other among the ministers or provincial teachers or other friars of that Order, whether called Conventuals, or of the “family”, that is, Observant, should not dare to presume to cause harassment or impediments, until the Apostolic See has ordered otherwise, both to the aforementioned vicar general and to the other vicars, and to any friar of the same congregation known as the Capuchins, under penalty of excommunication latae sententiae, of the privation of office and all legitimate acts.
The aforesaid master general, until the Holy See has not provided otherwise, can personally visit and correct only the aforesaid vicar general, the friars, the house, the place, the hermitage of the same friars called Capuchins, recalling, with pity, goodness and charity, to greater holiness of life.
And if he finds someone criminal, which should not happen, he can correct, punish, impose penance and fines according to the quality of the crime, in this way: if it were the vicar general, with the advice and assent of the provincial vicars; in the case of other friars, with the advice and assent of the majority and more sensible of the friars of the house, hermitage, place or convent visited, inside them and not outside.
Regarding the regime and government of the aforementioned friars, called Capuchins, beyond what has been said, no further interference should be made.
32 12. We strictly forbid any person of any condition, under pain of excommunication latae sententiae, which is incurred at the time of the act, to wear the habit which these friars are accustomed to wear, unless he will be pro tempore under the obedience and government of the already mentioned vicar general.
33 13. Furthermore, adhering to the behaviour, in this matter, of Pope Pius II, also our predecessor, who at the time interpreted and declared in favour of the family of the Observants, that when the Apostolic See wanted and decreed, following precise just and holy considerations, that the general minister was general of the whole Order, that the provincial vicars held the position of ministers, the very vicars who governed and to whom the friars obeyed by virtue of their profession were and remained in perpetually, their true and secure ministers, blessed Francis, founder of the aforementioned Order, having understood them as such, until the same Apostolic See, arbiter in the matter, decides to order this in another form; and such vicars being different from the ministers only in name; and that those who obeyed these vicars according to the decision of the aforesaid See observed their Rule fully and perfectly, especially in that part which reads: “I firmly command all the brothers, that they obey their ministers”, we declare and we decree, with the aforesaid authorities and knowledge, that until it is established otherwise by the aforesaid See on the foregoing, said Capuchin friars, in obedience to their vicars, fully and perfectly comply with the Rule, as happened in relation to vicars of the “family” following the deliberation of our aforementioned predecessor Pius II, of which we have spoken.[6]
34 14. With these apostolic writings, therefore, we order to each and every one of our venerable brother patriarchs, archbishops and bishops, and to the beloved sons, abbots, priors and other persons constituted in an ecclesiastical dignity, that they, or two or one of them, personally or for through others, where and when it is necessary and every time they are requested by the aforementioned vicars and Capuchin friars, or by any of them, solemnly publish these letters and their contents, and assist them, as stated above , and ensure firmly, by our authority, that the letters themselves, and their contents, are observed, and that the individuals for whom they are intended can use them peacefully.
Furthermore, nor allow them to be harassed, disturbed or disturbed by anyone, against the content of these letters.
They repress opponents of any kind, and rebels, through ecclesiastical censures and other appropriate legal remedies, without the right of appeal; aggravating the censures and penalties on several occasions, and also invoking, if necessary, the secular arm.
35 15. Neither the apostolic constitution of Boniface VIII, our predecessor, issued in a diet and, in the general council, in two diets, other apostolic constitutions, privileges of any kind, apostolic indults of any tenor and form and with any clause or decree: which we do not want to support in any way against what is stated; notwithstanding anything else to the contrary, including a possible indult granted by the aforementioned See to someone, in common or personally, according to which said persons cannot be interdicted, suspended or excommunicated by apostolic letters, which do not make full and express mention, word for word, of such an indulgence.
16. We also want that the transcriptions of the present letters, signed by the hand of a public notary and bearing the seal of a person with ecclesiastical dignity, or of a canon of any cathedral, be given that faith, both in court and outside, which would lend itself to those present, if they were exhibited or produced.
36 17. It is therefore lawful for no one, among men, to break this page of our approval, confirmation, prescription, provision, prohibition, declaration, command, intention and decisions, or to oppose it, with reckless daring, to it.
If anyone dares to attempt this, let him know that he will incur the indignation of almighty God and the blessed apostles Peter and Paul.
Given in Rome, at S. Marco, the year of the Lord’s incarnation 1536, August 25, the second year of our pontificate.
PAULUS EPISCOPUS
SERVUS SERVORUM DEI
Ad perpetuam rei memoriam.
1. Exponi nobis nuper fecerunt dilecti filii vicarius modernus et fratres Ordinis minorum capuccinorum nuncupatorum, quod, postquam felicis recordationis Clementi papae Septimo, predecessori nostro, pro parte nonnullorum tunc expressorum fratrum Ordinis minorum, expositum fuerat, se desiderare pro animarum suarum salute ac Dei gloria eremiticam vitam ducere, et quantum humana patiebatur fragilitas, Regulam beati Francisci observare, dilectus filius magister provincialis provincia Marchiae Anconitanae Ordinis minorum conventualium nuncupatorum, ad romanam curiam accedendi et ab ipso Clemente predecessore a Sede Apostolica, quaecumque ad animarum suarum salutem ac Dei gloriam petendi et impetrandi licentiam eis concesserat, ac bonae memoriae Andreas tituli Sanctae Priscae dum viveret, presbyter cardinalis et dicti Ordinis protector, tunc in humanis agens, eis, ut similem impetrationem facerent: ita tamen quod unum ex eorum consortio, omnium ipsorum nomine, magistro provinciali su capitulo provincie dictorum fratrum conventualium nuncupatorum, in qua habitarent, singulis annis in signum subiectionis presentare tenerentur; et ipse magister, si sibi videretur, semel in anno, et non ultra, eos visitare et si ipsos inveniret Regulam praedictam non observare, ad eam plenius observandam eos monere ac debitis modis compellere posset.
2. Praeter id autem, nec eos de loco ad locum transferre, nec aliquid aliud eis iniungere, aut ab eis exigere valeret, sed potius eos tueri et defendere conaretur, ut in pace possent Altissimo famulari, prout in protectoris et magistri provincialis praedictorum patentibus litteris desuper confectis plenius dicebatur contineri.
3. Idem Clemens predecessor litteras praedictas et in eis contenta quae. cumque, pro expressis habens, ipsorum fratrum in ea parte supplicationibus inclinatus, eis, ut secundum Regulam praedictam vitam eremiticam ducere, et habitum cum caputio quadrato gestare, necnon omnes tam clericos saeculares ey presbyteros quam laicos ad eorum consortium recipere, ac tam ipsi, quam alii sic recipiendi, barbam deferre, et ad eremitoria seu loca alia quaecumque cumque cum consensu dominorum eorundem locorum se conferre et in eis habitare, vitamque austeram et eremiticam inibi agere et in quibuscumque locis mendicare, necnon omnibus et singulis privilegis, indultis et gratis Ordini fratrum minorum praedictorum ac eremo camaldulensi beati Romualdi illiusque eremitis, in genere vel in specie, eatenus concessis et in posterum concedendis aeque principaliter uti, potiri et gaudere libere et licite valerent, per suas tam sub plumbo quam in forma brevis litteras facultatem concessit, prout in ipsis plenius continetur.
4. Cum autem, sicut eadem expositio subiungebat, litterarum predictarum vigore, nonnulli clerici saeculares et regulares ac laici, ab ipsis fratribus, ut praefertur, nominatis, vel uno ex eis ac ab aliis de ipsorum commissione recepti, congregationem fratrum Ordinis minorum capuccinorum nuncupatorum constituerint, ipsique fratres cupiant litteras praedictas, quoad infrascripta confirmari et extendi; et propterea nobis humiliter supplicari fecerint, ut huiusmodi eorum votis annuere de benignitate apostolica dignaremur.
5. Nos attendentes uberes fructus, quos Ordo ipse minorum in agro militantis Ecclesiae hactenus produxit et in posterum producturum spe firma speramus, ac dignum censentes ut circa ea, quae ipsius Ordinis incrementum concernunt, benignos favores impendamus, huiusmodi supplicationibus inclinati, litteras Clementis predecessoris huismodi, quarum tenore preaesentibus haberi volumus pro expressis, auctoritate apostolica, ex certa nostra scientia, per praesentes approbantes et confirmantes, illas dilecto filio moderno et pro tempore exsistenti vicario generali congregationis capuccinorum huiusmodi ac ipsius congregationis fratribus, perinde ac si ille eisdem congregationi et fratribus directae fuissent, quoad omnia et singula, in ipsis litteris contenta, suffragari debere decernimus.
6. Et nihilominus auctoritate et scientia similibus, per easdem praesentes statuimus et ordinamus, quod deinceps vicarius generalis ipsorum fratrum capuccinorum circa finem trienni, ex quo ad officium vicariatus huiusmodi electus fuerit, vel etiam prius aut posterius, iusta praefatae Regulae tenorem ac ipsorum fratrum laudabiles constitutiones, vicarios, discretos et custodes vocem congregationis habentes, quarumlibet provinciarum et custodiarum sibi subiectarum, in loco per ipsum vicarium generalem deputando, ad capitulum convocare possie: quorum si qui legitimo impedimento detenti, ipsi capitulo interesse non potuerint, per nuntios ab eis deputatos, vel suppletis votis eorum, iuta ipsorum consuetudinem, presentia suppleatur.
7. Qui sic congregati omnia et singula, quae ali fratres dicti Ordinis in eorum generali capitulo de iure vel consuetudine et ex privilegiis possint, faciendi, ordinandi et disponendi, et potissime eligendi unum religiosum eiusdem Ordinis ac congregationis in eorum similem vicarium generalem facultatem habeant; et ipsius vicarii electionem, si a maiori parte eligentium celebretur, quamprimum commode fieri poteri, generali magistro dictorum fratrum conventualium nuncupatorum, sicut hactenus servatum fuit, donec aliud desuper ordinatum a Sede Apostolica fuerit, praesentent seu praesentari faciant.
8. Ipseque generalis magister, intra triduum a presentatione sibi facta, ipsum electum vicarium confirmare teneatur, concedendo ei et committendo plenarie vices suas, tribuendo videlice liberam potestatem et autoritatem, ac omnimodam facultatem suam super omnes et singulos fratres eiusdem Ordinis capuccinos nuncupatos, etiam, si alio quovis nomine nuncupentur, tam in capitibus quam in membris, publice et privatim visitandi, congregationes in provincils et custodiis omnibus eis subiectis, sive pro electione vicariorum, discretorum, custodum et guardianorum, sive pro alis utilibus negotiis faciendi seu fieri faciendi, nova loca, conventus seu eremitoria recipiendi, fratres subditos corrigendi et puniendi, excommunicandi et absolvendi, incarcerandi et a carceribus liberandi; contradictores et rebelles per censuras ecclesiasticas et alia iuris et dicti Ordinis remedia, etiam per invocationem brachii saecularis vel ecclesiastici, si opus fuerit, compescendi; ac generaliter specialiterque omnia et singula circa fratres, conventus, domos, loca et eremitoria huiusmodi faciendi, exercendi et disponendi, ordinandi, administrandi et statuendi, quae generalis magister dicti Ordinis circa frattes, conventus, domos, loca et eremitoria fratrum conventualium nuncupatorum facere posset, si personaliter adesset, vel interesset. Ac easdem auctoritatem, potestatem, gratias et facultates per ipsum magistrum generalem eidem vicario generali concessas, vel earum partem, aliis fratribus, quos ad haec iudicaverit idoneos, committendi et concedendi; necnon per ipsos praedicti vicarii commissario committi et concedi faciendi.
Et triduo elapso et electo non confirmato, idem electus pro confirmato Sedis Apostolicae auctoritate, cum plenaria potestate huiusmodi, usque ad successoris electionem habeatur, et intra hoc tempus, officio suo sine scitu omnium vicariorum et discretorum provincialium, aut maioris partis eorumdem, renuntiare nequeat. Possit tamen convocare omnes vicarios et discretos sibi subiectos infra tempus offici sui in loco per ipsum deputando, quoties sibi opus visum fuerit.
9. Si vero generalis vicarius infra sui officii tempus ex hac luce migraverit, seu alias ab officio amotus fuerit, vicarius, in cuius provincia mori vel amoveri contigerit, nuntiet, quam citius poterit, omnibus definitoribus capitu-li generalis immediate precedentis et omnibus vicaris provincialibus, et de consilio atque consensu duorum vicariorum proximorum determinet locum et tempus, nisi fuissent per generale capitulum vel per praedictum vicarium ante obitum ipsius et amotionem deputata, et convocet, qui fuerint evocandi, pro successoris vicarii electione celebranda; quo vacationis tempore, auctoritate Sedis praedictae exerceat officium vicariatus huiusmodi primus definitorum praedictorum, vel, ipso deficiente, secundus, et sic de alis successive cum plenaria potestate premissa.
10. Et hoc idem censeatur de vicaris provincialibus, cum eos mori vel amoveri contigerit, ac provincias regi et gubernari per primum et alios definitores successive capituli provincialis immediate praecedentis, prout supra de vicario generali statutum exstitit, salva semper et reservata praedicti vicarii generalis, ut praemittitur, potestate.
11. Generalis vero tam magister praedictus, quam minister Ordinis minorum huiusmodi, aut quisquam ministrorum seu magistrorum provincialium seu aliorum fratrum dicti Ordinis tam conventualium quam de familia, sive de Observantia nuncupatorum, donec aliter per Sedem predictam ordinatum fuerit, predicto vicario generali, seu ceteris vicariis, vel cuipiam fratri eiusem congregationis de capuccinis nuncupatae molestiam seu impedimentum aliquod inferre non audeat, nec presumat, sub poena excommunicationis latae sententiae, privationis offici omniumque actuum legitimorum.
Nisi quod praefatus magister generalis, donec aliter per ipsam Sedem ordinatum fuerit, per se dumtaxat personaliter visitare et corrigere possit et valeat praedictum vicarium generalem, seu fratres, domum, locum, et eremitorium eorumdem fratrum capuccinorum nuncupatorum, pie, benigne et caritative ad meliorem frugem provocando.
Et si quemquam, quod absit, repererit criminosum, ipsum vicarium de consilio et assensu maioris partis vicariorum praemissorum, ceteros vero de consilio et assensu maioris et sanioris partis fratrum domus, eremitorii, loci vel conventus visitatorum, in eodem loco et non extra, corrigere valeat et punire, panitentiare et emendare, secundum quod delicti qualitas exegerit faciendum.
De regimine vero ac cura praedictorum fratrum capuccinorum nuncupatorum, se aliter non intromittat.
12. Districtius inhibentes quibuscumque personis, cuiuscumque conditionis exsistant, sub excommunicationis lata sententiae poena, e ipso incurrenda, ne habitum per eos deferri solitum, nisi sub praefati vicari generalis pro tempore exsistentis, oboedientia et cura permaneant, gestare quoquo modo praesumant.
13. Insuper vestigiis piae memoriae Pii papae secundi etiam predecessoris nostri, in hac parte inhaerendo, qui alias ex certis causis, auctoritate apostolica, ex certa scientia in favorem familiae de Observantia interpretatus est et declaravit quod, cum Apostolica Sedes generalem totius Ordinis minorum, ministrum generalem et provinciales vicarios ministrorum loco, certis, piis ac sanctis respectibus esse voluisset ac decrevisset, vicarii ipsi, qui illis pracessent, et quibus ipsi ex debito eorum professionis oboediebant, veri et indubitati ipsorum ministri, cum tales beatus Franciscus, dicti Ordinis institutor, eos esse intendisset, quoadusque praefata Sedes, in cuius arbitrio consistebat, aliud alio respectu ordinare statuisset, essent et perpetuo forent, differentes a praedictis ministris solo nomine, eosque, qui dictis vicaris oboedirent, secundum dictae Sedis determinationem, eorum Regulae et praecipue in ea parte, ubi erat: «Praecipio firmiter fratribus universis, ut oboediant suis ministris», plene et integre satisfacere, auctoritate et scientia praedictis declaramus et decernimus quod, done aliter super praemissis per praefatam Sedem
ordinatum fuerit, fratres capuccini predicti eorum vicariis, prout de vicarisv«familiae» per dictum Pium predecessorem, ut praefertur, statutum fuerat, obediendo, plene et integre praefatae Regulae satisfaciant.
14. Quocirca universis et singulis venerabilibus fratribus nostris patriarchis, archiepiscopis et episcopis, necnon dilectis filis abbatibus, prioribus et aliis personis in dignitate eclesiastica constitutis, per apostolica scripta mandamus, quatenus ipsi, vel duo, aut unus eorum per se vel alium seu alios, presentes litteras, ac in eis contenta quecumque, ubi et quando opus fuerit, ac quoties pro parte vicariorum et fratrum capuccinorum predictorum, sive alicuius eorum, fuerint desuper requisiti, solemniter publicantes, eisque in praemissis efficacis defensionis presidio asistentes, faciant auctoritate nostra presentes litteras et in eis contenta huiusmodi firmiter observari, ac singulos, quos presentes concernunt, illis pacifice gaudere.
Non permittentes eos desuper per quoscumque contra praesentium tenorem quomodolibet molestari, inquietari seu perturbari.
Contradictores quoslibet et rebelles per censuram ecclesiasticam et alia opportuna iuris remedia appellatione postposita, compescendo ac censuras et poenas ipsas iteratis vicibus aggravando, invocato etiam ad hoc, si opus fuerit, auxilio brachii saecularis.
15. Non obstantibus praemissis ac recolendae memoria Bonifaci Papae VIII similiter predecessoris nostri de una et concilii generalis de duabus dietis, ac aliis apostolicis constitutionibus; necnon quibusvis privilegüis et indultis apostolicis sub quibusvis tenoribus et formis ac cum quibusvis clausulis et decretis, quae adversus praemissa nullatenus suffragari volumus, ceterisque contrariis quibuscumque: aut si aliquibus communiter, vel divisim ab eadem sit Sede indultum, quod interdici, suspendi, vel excommunicari non possint, ler literas apostolicas non facientes plenam et expressam, ac de verbo ad verbum de indulto huiusmodi mentionem.
16. Volumus autem, quod presentium transumptis, manu publici notari subscriptis, et sigillo alicuius persona in dignitate eclesiastica constitutae, seu canonici alicuius cathedralis eclesiae munitis, eadem fides in iudicio, et extra, adhibeatur, que presentibus adhiberetur, si essent exhibitae vel ostensae.
17. Nulli ergo omnino hominum liceat hanc paginam nostrae approbationis, confirmationis, statuti, ordinationis, inhibitionis, declarationis, mandati, voluntatis et decretorum infringere, vel ei ausu temerario contraire. Si qui autem hoc attentare praesumpserit, indignationem omnipotentis Dei ac beatorum Petri et Pauli apostolorum eius se noverit incursurum.
Datum Romae apud S. Marcum, anno Incarnationis Dominicae millesimo quingentesimo trigesimo sexto, octavo Kalend. septembris, pontificatus nostril anno secundo.
- Namely of Card. Andrea della Valle and the Conventual Ludovico Santoni da S. Leo. Cf. supra, doc. 1. ↑
- Cf. Cost. 1536, n. 103 (cf. n. 316); Rb 8, 4 (FF n. 96). ↑
- Cf. Cost. 1536, n. 10 (cf. n. 160). ↑
- All these faculties were taken, almost ad litteram, from the bull Ut sacra that Eugene IV had granted to the Observants on 12 January and 23 July 1446. Cf. BF I, n.s., 497-500 (no. 1007). ↑
- Cf. Cost. 1536, n. 105 (cf. n. 339). ↑
- This is the bull Circa regularis observantiae professores that Pius II addressed to the Observants on 12 January 1464. Cf. BF II, n.s., 618f (no. 1193). ↑