Canons of the Council of Orange (441)

Contents

1. 1Heretics in danger of death who wish to become catholics may be received by a presbyter with chrism if no bishop is present.
2. 2Baptizers must always use the chrism; one not anointed at baptism is to be anointed at confirmation, since the anointing is not repeated.
3. 3Penitents in danger of death receive communion as viaticum without the reconciling laying on of hands; if they recover they complete their penance.
4. 4Clerics who ask for penance are not to be refused.
5. 5Those who take refuge in a church are not to be handed over.
6. 6Anyone who seizes clerics' slaves in retaliation for his own slaves who fled to a church is condemned.
7. 7Those freed in church or commended to the church by will may not be reduced again to servitude.
8. 8A bishop may ordain a cleric from elsewhere only if he will reside with him and after consulting his former bishop.
9. 9Bishops who ordain men belonging to another church must either keep them or obtain the other bishop's approval.
10. 10A bishop who builds a church in another's territory may not dedicate it; the local bishop dedicates and governs it, though he ordains the founder's choice of clergy.
11. 11A bishop who knowingly communicates with someone excommunicated by another bishop is liable; the case goes to the next synod.
12. 12One who suddenly loses speech may be baptized or receive penance on the testimony of others to his wish or by his own sign.
13. 13The insane are to receive the sacraments that piety allows.
14. 14Baptized persons troubled by demons who submit to the clergy's care may receive communion.
15. 15Catechumens troubled by demons may be baptized as need and opportunity allow.
16. 16Those who have been publicly possessed may not be ordained, and if ordained are removed.
17. 17The chalice is to be offered with the capsa and consecrated by mingling in the Eucharist.
18. 18The Gospel is to be read to catechumens in all the churches of the provinces.
19. 19Catechumens may not enter the baptistery.
20. 20Catechumens are not to share the blessing of the faithful even at household prayers, but are blessed separately.
21. 21If two bishops ordain an unwilling man bishop, both are deposed and he may take one of their sees; if he consented, he too is condemned.
22. 22Married men may not be ordained deacons unless they first profess continence.
23. 23A deacon who has relations with his wife after ordination is removed from office.
24. 24Deacons ordained earlier who fail in continence are not to be promoted, following the synod of Turin.
25. 25Worthy men who have married may be ordained, but not beyond the subdiaconate.
26. 26Deaconesses are no longer to be ordained; existing ones receive the blessing with the laity.
27. 27A widow's vow is made before the bishop and marked by the widow's garment; her abductor, or she if she abandons it, is condemned.
28. 28Men and women who abandon a vow of chastity are transgressors and must do penance.
29. 29The bishops confirm their decrees, rebuke absentees, and announce the next council for 18 October of the following year at Lucianum near Orange.
30. 30A bishop disabled by illness must call in another bishop for episcopal functions rather than let presbyters perform them.