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The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

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THE RESIDENCE OF BISHOPS. 373<br />

upon <strong>the</strong> conviction that <strong>the</strong> Church, in her organization,<br />

possesses both <strong>the</strong> possibihty and <strong>the</strong> means <strong>of</strong> moral re-<br />

juvenation. According to <strong>the</strong>ir idea, <strong>the</strong> bishops are <strong>the</strong><br />

chosen representatives <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> reform, <strong>from</strong> which must proceed<br />

<strong>the</strong> whole <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> new life. Consequently, <strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>rs began<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir work <strong>of</strong> reform with <strong>the</strong>mselves, for <strong>the</strong> integrity <strong>of</strong><br />

those who are in authority, in <strong>the</strong> words <strong>of</strong> Leo <strong>the</strong> Great, is<br />

<strong>the</strong> salvation <strong>of</strong> those who are subject.^<br />

At <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> exhortations to <strong>the</strong> bishops stands<br />

a requirement, concerning <strong>the</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> and reason for which<br />

such violent disputes had arisen, <strong>the</strong> requirement that <strong>the</strong><br />

bishop must not remain away <strong>from</strong> his own flock. ^ <strong>The</strong> resi-<br />

dence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bishops appeared so important to <strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>rs, that<br />

in <strong>the</strong> introduction to <strong>the</strong> reform decree <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Vllth Session,<br />

<strong>the</strong>y at once speak <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> business begun " concerning residence<br />

and reform,"^ and towards <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Council <strong>the</strong>y once<br />

more return to <strong>the</strong> duty <strong>of</strong> residence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bishops,^ as if all<br />

<strong>the</strong> evils in <strong>the</strong> Church proceeded <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> neglect <strong>of</strong> this.<br />

Since <strong>the</strong> shepherd must remain with his flock, he must not<br />

have several bishoprics in his possession, for "he is to be<br />

esteemed fortunate to whom it is given to rule even one church<br />

well and fruitfully."^ <strong>The</strong> bishop must devote his whole<br />

strength to one diocese alone, he must build it up by his care<br />

for religious instruction, in <strong>the</strong> preaching which is <strong>the</strong> principal<br />

duty <strong>of</strong> bishops,^ by constant visitation,'' <strong>the</strong> punishment <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> guilty,^ and by his care to have a good clergy.^<br />

But, on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand, <strong>the</strong> bishop must have <strong>the</strong> greatest<br />

possible freedom in <strong>the</strong> administration <strong>of</strong> his diocese. No<br />

privilege shall, for <strong>the</strong> future, protect <strong>the</strong> guilty cleric <strong>from</strong><br />

^ Sess. 6, c. I.<br />

* Sess, 6, c. I.<br />

' inceptum residentiae et reformationis negotium.<br />

* Sess, 23, c, I,<br />

^ Sess. 7, c. 2.<br />

* Sess. 5, c, 2.<br />

' Sess. 6, c. 7 seq. ; sess. 24, c. 3 etc.<br />

* Sess. 13, c. I seqq.<br />

* Sess. 23 c. 18.

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