Canons of the Council of Arles (second)
The whole work on one page. Select a passage number to open that passage with its notes, Scripture references, and citation.
Chapter 1
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Ad diaconatus ac sacerdotii officium neophytum non debere ordinari.
A neophyte ought not to be ordained to the office of deacon or of priest.
Chapter 2
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Assumi aliquem ad sacerdotium non posse in conjugii vinculo constitutum, nisi fuerit praemissa conversio.
No one placed in the bond of marriage can be taken up into the priesthood unless conversion has come first.
Chapter 3
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Si quis clericus a gradu diaconatus in solatio suo mulierem praeter aviam, matrem, sororem, filiam, neptem vel conversam secum uxorem, habere praesumpserit, a communione alienus habeatur Par quoque et mulierem, si se separare noluerit, poena percellat.
If any cleric from the rank of deacon upward presumes to have a woman for his help, apart from a grandmother, mother, sister, daughter, niece, or his wife who has converted with him, let him be held a stranger to communion. And let the same penalty strike the woman too, if she will not separate.
Chapter 4
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Nullus diaconus vel presbyter vel episcopus ad cellarium secretum intromittat puellam vel ingenuam vel ancillam.
No deacon, presbyter, or bishop is to admit into his private chamber a girl, whether free or a slave.
Chapter 5
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Episcopum sine metropolitano vel epistola metropolitani vel tribus comprovincialibus non liceat ordinare: ita ut alii comprovinciales epietolis admoneantur, ut se sua responso consensisse significent. Quod si inter partes aliqua nata fuerit dubitatio, majori numero metropolitanus in electione consentiat.
It is not permitted to ordain a bishop without the metropolitan, or a letter of the metropolitan, or three bishops of the province; and the other bishops of the province are to be advised by letters, so that they may indicate by their reply that they have consented. But if any doubt arises between parties, let the metropolitan agree with the greater number in the election.
Chapter 6
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Illud autem ante omnia clareat, eum qui sine conscientia metropolitani constitutus fuerit episcopus, juxta magnam synodum esse episcopum non debere.
But let this above all be clear: that one who has been made bishop without the knowledge of the metropolitan ought not, according to the great synod, to be a bishop.
Chapter 7
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Hos qui se carnali vitio repugnare nescientes abscidunt, ad clerum pervenire non posse.
Those who, not knowing how to fight against the vice of the flesh, castrate themselves cannot come to the clergy.
Chapter 8
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Si quis excommunicatum alterius sive clericum sive saecularem recipere post interdictum praesumpserit, noverit se reum fraternitatis factum causam in concilio reddituram.
If anyone presumes, after it has been forbidden, to receive a person excommunicated by another, whether a cleric or a layman, let him know that he has become guilty toward the brotherhood and will give account in the council.
Chapter 9
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Novatianum in communionem recipi non debere, nisi suscepta poenitentia incredulitatis praeteritum damnet errorem.
A Novatian ought not to be received into communion unless, having received penance for his unbelief, he condemns his past error.
Chapter 10
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De his qui in persecuti<me praevaricati sunt, si voluntate fidem negaverint, hoc de iis Nicaena synodus statuit, ut quinque annos inter catechumenos exigant et duos inter discommunicantes, ita ut communionem inter poenitentes non ptaesumant. In potestate tamen vel arbitrio sit episcopi, ut si eos ex animo errorem deflere et agere poenitentiam viderit, ad communionem pro ecclesiastica humanitate suscipiat.
Concerning those who transgressed in persecution, if they denied the faith willingly, the synod of Nicaea decreed this about them: that they spend five years among the catechumens and two among those not admitted to communion, so that they do not presume to communion among the penitents. Yet let it be in the power or judgment of the bishop that, if he sees them bewailing their error and doing penance from the heart, he may receive them into communion out of the church's kindness.
Chapter 11
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Si qui vero dolore victi et pondere persecutionis negare vel immolare coacti sunt, duobus anni inter catechumenos, triennio inter poenitentes habeantur, a communione suspensi.
But if any, overcome by pain and the weight of persecution, were forced to deny or to sacrifice, let them be held two years among the catechumens and three among the penitents, suspended from communion.
Chapter 12
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De his qui in poenitentia positi vita excesserint, placuit nullum communione vacuum debere dimitti; sed pro eo quod honoravit poenitentiam, oblatio illius suscipiatur.
Concerning those who have departed this life while placed in penance, it was decided that no one ought to be sent away empty of communion; but because he honoured penance, let his offering be received.
Chapter 13
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Nullus cujuscumque ordinis clericus, non diaconus, non presbyter, non episcopus, quacumque occasione faciente propriam relinquat ecclesiam, sed omnimodis aut excommunicetur aut redire cogatur. Quod si aliquo commorationis tempore invito episcopo suo in aliena ecclesia habitans, ab episcopo loci clericus fuerit ordinatus, hujusmodi ordinatio irrita habeatur.
No cleric of any order, not a deacon, not a presbyter, not a bishop, is to leave his own church for any reason whatever; but by all means let him either be excommunicated or be compelled to return. And if, during some time of residence, living in another church against his bishop's will, the cleric has been ordained by the bishop of the place, let such an ordination be held void.
Chapter 14
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Si quis clericus pecuniam dederit ad usuram, aut conductor alienae rei voluerit esse, aut turpis lucri gratia genus aliquod negotiationis exercuerit, depositus a clero a communione alienus fiat.
If any cleric lends money at interest, or wishes to be a tenant of another's property, or engages in any kind of trade for the sake of shameful gain, let him be deposed from the clergy and become a stranger to communion.
Chapter 15
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In secretario diacono inter presbyteros sedere non liceat; vel corpus Christi praesente presbytero tradere non praesumat. Quod si fecerit, ab officio diaconatus abscedat.
In the sacristy a deacon may not sit among the presbyters; nor may he presume to give the body of Christ when a presbyter is present. If he does so, let him withdraw from the office of deacon.
Chapter 16
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Photinianos sive Paulianistas secundum patrum statuta baptizari oportere.
Photinians or Paulianists, according to the statutes of the fathers, must be baptized.
Chapter 17
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Bonosiacos autem ex eodem errore venientes, quos sicut Arianos baptizari in trinitate manifestum est, si interrogati fidem nostram ex toto corde confessi fuerint, cum chrismate et manus impositione in ecclesia recipi sufficit.
But the Bonosians, coming from the same error, who, like the Arians, are clearly baptized in the Trinity, if on being questioned they confess our faith with their whole heart, it is enough that they be received in the church with chrism and the laying on of hands.
Chapter 18
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Ad Arelatensis episcopi arbitrium synodus congreganda, ad quam urbem ex omnibus mundi partibus, praecipue Gallicanis, sub sancti Marini tempore legimus celebratum Mmm concilium atque conventum. Si quis commonitus infirmitatis causa defuerit, personam vice sua dirigat.
A synod is to be gathered at the discretion of the bishop of Arles, in which city we read that, in the time of holy Marinus, … a council and assembly was held from all parts of the world, especially from Gaul. If anyone who has been summoned is absent because of illness, let him send a person in his place.
Chapter 19
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Si quis autem adesse neglexerit, aut coetum fratrum antequam concilium dissolvatur crediderit deserendum, alienatum se a fratrum communione cognoscat, nec eum recipi liceat, nisi in sequenti synodo fuerit absolutus.
But if anyone neglects to be present, or thinks he may leave the assembly of the brothers before the council is dissolved, let him know that he is estranged from the communion of the brothers, and he may not be received unless he has been absolved at the next synod.
Chapter 20
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De agitatoribus sive theatricis qui fideles sunt, placuit eos quamdiu agunt a communione separari
Concerning charioteers or actors who are faithful, it was decided that they be separated from communion as long as they practise.
Chapter 21
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Poenitens quaecumque defuncto viro alii nubere praesumpserit, vel suspecta vel interdicta familiaritate cum extraneo vixerit, cum eodem ab ecclesiae liminibus arceatur. Hoc etiam de viro in poenitentia posito placuit observari.
Any woman penitent who, after her husband's death, presumes to marry another, or lives in suspect or forbidden familiarity with a stranger, is to be kept from the thresholds of the church together with him. It was decided that this be observed also of a man placed in penance.
Chapter 22
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Poenitentiam conjugalis non nisi ex consensu dandam.
Penance is not to be given to a married person except with the consent of the spouse.
Chapter 23
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Si in alicujus episcopi territorio infideles aut faculas accendant aut arbores fontes vel saxa venerantur si hoc eruere neglexerit, sacrilegii reum se esse cognoscat. Dominus aut ordinator rei ipsius, si admonitus emendare noluerit, communione privetur.
If in the territory of any bishop unbelievers either light torches or venerate trees, springs, or stones, if he neglects to root this out, let him know that he is guilty of sacrilege. The lord or manager of the property itself, if he will not correct it when warned, is to be deprived of communion.
Chapter 24
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victi fuerint, placuit usque ad exitum non communicare, sicut magna synodus ante constituit; nisi digna satisfactione poenituerint.
[Those who] have been convicted, it was decided, are not to communicate until death, as the great synod decreed before, unless they have done penance with worthy satisfaction.
Chapter 25
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Hi qui post sanctam religionis professionem apostatant et ad saecul redeunt, et postmodum poenitentiae remedia non requirunt, sine poenitentia communionem penitus non accipiant: quos etiam jubem ad clericatus officium non admitti; et quicumque ille post poenitentiam habitum saecularem non praesumat; quod si praesumpserit, ab ecclesia alienus habeatur.
Those who, after the holy profession of religion, apostatize and return to the world, and afterwards do not seek the remedies of penance, are by no means to receive communion without penance; and we order that they also not be admitted to the office of the clergy; and whoever it may be, after penance, let him not presume to take up secular dress; and if he presumes, let him be held a stranger to the church.
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
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(Ibid. c. 2. init.: Nullum ministrum — semel chrismari.)
[Same as Orange (441), canon 2, opening: "None of the ministers … chrismated once."]
Chapter 28
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Quod si accepto hoc viatico supervixerint stent in ordine poenitentium ut ostensis necessariis poenitentiae fructibus, legitime reconciliatoriam manus impositionem recipiant.
But if, having received this viaticum, they survive, let them stand in the order of penitents, so that, having shown the necessary fruits of penance, they may lawfully receive the reconciling laying on of hands.
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
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Eos qui ad ecclesiam confugerint tradi non oportet: sed eos domini sui promissa intercessione exire persuadeant, Quod si ab ecclesia exeuntibus poenale aliquid ihtulerint, ut ecclesiae inimici habeantur excommunes.
Those who have taken refuge in a church ought not to be handed over; but let them persuade them to come out on their master's promise of pardon at their intercession. And if the masters inflict any punishment on them when they come out of the church, let them be held enemies of the church and excommunicated.
Chapter 31
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Si quis clericorum religionis negotia vel spirituales causas ecclesiae ad saecularia patrocinia, relicta synodo, transire praesumpserit, excommunicatione omnium ac detestatione dignus habeatur. Simili modo si causa inter clericos orta fuerit, ne invito episcopo ad saeculares judices deferatur, sed episcoporum judicio terminetur.
If any cleric presumes to take the affairs of religion or the spiritual causes of the church to secular patronage, leaving the synod, let him be held worthy of excommunication and abhorrence by all. Likewise, if a case arises between clerics, let it not be brought before secular judges against the bishop's will, but be settled by the judgment of bishops.
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
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Si quis per testamentum manumissum in servitutem vel obsequium vel in colonaria conditione imprimere tentaverit, animadversione ecclesiastica coerceatur.
If anyone tries to force one freed by will into slavery, or into service, or into the condition of a tenant farmer, let him be restrained by church discipline.
Chapter 34
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Si quis in ecclesia manumissum crediderit ingrati titulo revocandum, non aliter liceat nisi eum gestis apud acta municipum reum esse ante probaverit.
If anyone thinks that one freed in church should be recalled on the ground of ingratitude, it is not to be allowed unless he has first proved him guilty in proceedings before the municipal records.
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
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(Ibid. c. 10. init.: Si quis episcopus — pertinebit; et si quid ipsi ecclesiae fuerit ab episcopo conditore collatum, is in cujus territorio est, auferendi exinde aliquid non habeat potestatem. Hoc solum aedificatori episcopo credidimus reservandum.
[Same as Orange (441), canon 10, from the beginning to "shall belong";] and if anything has been given to that church by the founding bishop, the one in whose territory it is has no power to take anything away from it. This alone we have thought should be reserved to the founding bishop.
Chapter 37
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(Ibid. c. 10. fin.: Quod si etiam quicumque ecclesiam aedificaverit — conventu abstinebunt: si ordinem excesserit, in reatu revocabitur.
[Same as the end of Orange (441), canon 10: "And if any layman builds a church … shall abstain from the assembly";] if he oversteps the order, he will be called to account.
Chapter 38
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Subito obmutescens baptizari potest et amentibus quaecumque pietatis sunt conferenda.
One who suddenly becomes speechless can be baptized; and to the insane, whatever belongs to piety is to be granted.
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
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In provinciis nostris placuit de praesumptoribus, ut sicubi duo episcopi ausi fuerint episcopum facere etiamsi metropolitani episcopi epistolam non habuerint et is qui ordinatus est cum ordinatoribus excludatur.
It was decided in our provinces concerning presumptuous persons that, if anywhere two bishops dare to make a bishop, even if they did not have the letter of the metropolitan bishop, the one ordained too is to be excluded together with the ordainers.
Chapter 43
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Placuit praeterea, ut secundum synodi instituta non ordinentur etc. (Ibid. c. 22.)
It was decided moreover that, according to the institutions of the synod, [married men] are not to be ordained [deacons] … [Same as Orange (441), canon 22.]
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
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De his quos clericatui alligari ipsa vitae gratia suggesserit, si forte internupta et duplicata matrimonia inciderunt; non ultra subdiaconatum ecclesiasticas capiant dignitates; quod si facti forsitan sunt, ab ecclesiastico removeantur officio.
Concerning those whom the very grace of their life suggests should be bound to the clergy, if perhaps they have fallen into marriages to a woman not a virgin, or into second marriages, they are not to receive ecclesiastical dignities beyond the subdiaconate; and if perhaps they have been made such, let them be removed from ecclesiastical office.
Chapter 46
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Professas viduas, si conniventiam praestiterint, cum raptoribus esse damnandas.
Professed widows, if they have connived, are to be condemned together with their abductors.
Chapter 47
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Secundum constitutionem synodi Vasensis, quicumque oblationem fidelium suppresserit aut negaverit, ab ecclesia cui fraudem fecerit excludatur.
According to the constitution of the synod of Vaison, whoever withholds or denies the offering of the faithful is to be excluded from the church which he has defrauded.
Chapter 48
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Si quis episcopi sui sententiae non acquiescit, synodi legibus audiendum.
If anyone does not accept the sentence of his bishop, he is to be heard by the laws of the synod.
Chapter 49
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Secundum instituta seniorum, hic qui a communione sacerdotali fuerit auctoritate suspensus, hunc non sol a clericorum sed etiam a totius populi colloquio atque convivio placuit excludi; donec resipiscens ad sanitatem redire festinet
According to the institutions of the elders, it was decided that one who has been suspended from communion by priestly authority is to be excluded not only from the conversation of the clergy but also from that of the whole people, and from their table, until, coming to his senses, he hastens to return to health.
Chapter 50
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Hi qui publicis inter se odiis dissident, ab ecclesiasticis conventibus removendi donec ad pacem recurrant
Those who are at odds with one another in public hatreds are to be kept from the church's assemblies until they return to peace.
Chapter 51
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Si expositus ante ecclesiam cujuscumque fuerit miseratione collectus, contestationis ponat epistolam; et si is qui collectus est intra decem dies quaesitus agnitusque non fuerit, securus habeat qui collegit Sane qui post praedictum tempus calumniator extiterit, ut homicida ecclesiastica districtione damnabitur, sicut patrum sanxit auctoritas.
If an infant exposed before the church of anyone has been taken up out of compassion, let the one who took it up put out a letter of attestation; and if the one taken up has not been sought and recognized within ten days, let the one who took it up keep it securely. But whoever comes forward as a slanderer after the said time will be condemned by church discipline as a murderer, as the authority of the fathers has decreed.
Chapter 52
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De puellis quae se voverunt deo et praeclari decore nominis floruerunt, si post viginti et quinque annos aetatis ad terrenas nuptias sponte transierint, id custodiendum esse decrevimus, ut cum his cum quibus se alligaverint communione priventur, ita ut iis postulantibus poenitentia non negetur; cujus poenitentiae communio multo tempore differatur.
Concerning girls who have vowed themselves to God and have flourished in the glory of a distinguished name, if after twenty-five years of age they pass of their own will to earthly marriage, we have decreed that this be kept: that they be deprived of communion together with those to whom they have bound themselves; yet if they ask for it, penance is not to be denied them; but the communion of that penance is to be put off for a long time.
Chapter 53
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Si quis famulorum cujuslibet conditionis aut generis quasi ad exacerbandam domini districtionem se diabolico repletus furore percusserit, ipse tantum sanguinis sui reus erit, neque ad dominum sceleris alieni pertinebit invidia.
If any servant of whatever condition or kind, as if to provoke his master's severity, strikes himself, filled with diabolical fury, he alone will be guilty of his own blood, and the odium of another's crime will not attach to the master.
Chapter 54
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Placuit in ordinatione episcopi hunc ordinem custodiri, ut primo loco venalitate vel ambitione submota tres ab episcopis nominentur, de quibus clerici vel cives erga unum eligendi habeant potestatem.
It was decided that in the ordination of a bishop this order be kept: that first, venality or ambition being removed, three be nominated by the bishops, of whom the clergy or citizens have the power to choose one.
Chapter 55
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Si quis saecularium amore religionis se ad quemcumque
If any of the laity, out of love of religion, [betakes] himself to any …
Chapter 56
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Hoc etiam placuit custodiri, ut nihil contra magnam synodum metropolitani sibi aestiment vindicandum.
This too it was decided should be kept: that the metropolitans should not think they may claim anything for themselves contrary to the great synod.