Canons of the Council of Nîmes
The whole work on one page. Select a passage number to open that passage with its notes, Scripture references, and citation.
Preface
0Lauchert, 220
Incipit sancta synodus quae convenit in civitatem Nemausensem, Kal. Octobris, dominis Archadio et Honorio Augustis consulibus.. Episcopis per Gallias et septem provincias salutem. Cum ad Nemausensem ecclesiam, ad tollenda ecclesiarum scandala discessionemque sanandam pacis studio venissemus, multa utilitati congrua, secundum regulam disciplinae, placuit provideri.
Here begins the holy synod which assembled in the city of Nîmes on the Kalends of October, in the consulship of our lords the Augusti Arcadius and Honorius. To the bishops throughout the Gauls and the Seven Provinces, greeting. When, out of zeal for peace, we had come to the church of Nîmes to remove the scandals of the churches and to heal division, it pleased that many things conducive to benefit be provided for according to the rule of discipline.
Chapter 1
1Lauchert, 220
In primis quia multi, de ultimis Orientis partibus venientes, presbyteros et diaconos se esse confingunt, ignota cum suscriptione apostholia (epistolia?) ignorantibus inge- rentes, quidam (qui dum?) spem infidelium (specie fidelium?), sumptum stepemque captantur (captant?), sanctorum communioni speciae (speciem?) simulatae religionis inpraemunt (inprimunt): placuit nobis, si qui fuerint eiusmodi, si tamen communis ecclesiae causa non fuerit, ad ministerium altarii non admittantur.
First, since many, coming from the farthest parts of the East, pretend to be presbyters and deacons, thrusting letters with unknown signatures on those who do not know them, and, under the appearance of believers, seek to get expenses and support, and press on the communion of the saints the appearance of a feigned religion: it has pleased us that, if there are any such, they are not to be admitted to the ministry of the altar, unless there is a common cause of the church.
Chapter 2
2Lauchert, 220
Illud etiam a quibusdam suggestum est, ut contra apostolicam disciplinam, incognito usque in hoc tempus in ministerium foeminae nescio quo loco leviticum videantur adsumpice; quod quidem, quia indecens est, non admittit ecclesiastica disciplina; et contra rationem facta talis ordinatio distruatur: providendum, ne quis sibi hoc ultra praesumat.
It has also been suggested by some that, contrary to the apostolic discipline, and in a way unknown until this time, women have somewhere or other been seen to be taken up into the Levitical ministry; which, since it is unseemly, church discipline does not admit; and such an ordination, made contrary to reason, is to be undone. Care must be taken that no one presume this any further.
Chapter 3
3Lauchert, 220
Illud etiam repetere secundum canonem placuit, ut nullus episcopus sive clericum sive laicum, a suo episcopo iudicatum, in communionem admittat inlicitam.
It has also pleased to repeat, according to the canon, that no bishop is to admit to unlawful communion either a cleric or a layman judged by his own bishop.
Chapter 4
4Lauchert, 220
Neque sibi alter episcopus de clerico alterius, inconsulto episcopo cuius minister est, iudicium vindicet.
Nor is another bishop to claim for himself judgment over another's cleric without consulting the bishop whose minister he is.
Chapter 5
5Lauchert, 220
Additum etiam est, ut, quia multi, sub specie peregrinationis, de ecclesiarum conlatione luxoriant, victura non omnibus detur; unusquisque voluntarium, non indictum, habeat de hac praestatione iudicium.
It has also been added that, since many, under the guise of pilgrimage, live in luxury on the contributions of the churches, sustenance is not to be given to all; each is to have his own judgment of this provision, voluntary and not imposed.
Chapter 6
6Lauchert, 220
Ministrorum autem quicunque peregrina quibuscunque necessitatibus petunt, ab episcopis tantum apostolia suscribantur.
But any of the ministers who seek foreign parts for whatever needs are to have their letters signed by the bishops only.
Chapter 7
7Lauchert, 220
Addi etiam placuit, ut, quia frequenter ecclesiis de libertorum tuitione inferuntur iniuriae, sive qui a viventibus manumittuntur, sive quibus libertas ultima testatione conscribitur: placuit synodo, ut si fidelis persona contra fidem et contra defunctorum voluntatem venire temptaverit, communicantes, qui contra ecclesiam veniunt, extra ecclesiam
It has also pleased to add that, since injuries are frequently done to the churches over the protection of freedmen, whether those who are manumitted by the living or those to whom freedom is given in writing by a last testament, it has pleased the synod that, if a believer attempts to go against good faith and against the will of the dead, those communicants who go against the church are to be outside the church …