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

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^<br />

374 HISTORY OF THE POPES.<br />

his power <strong>of</strong> inflicting punishment ;^ against his visitation not<br />

even <strong>the</strong> ca<strong>the</strong>dral chapters have <strong>the</strong> right to claim exemption.<br />

At his visitations he has <strong>the</strong> right to arrange matters as he<br />

thinks fit, 3 and should his power not prove sufficient in special<br />

cases, he may <strong>the</strong>n act in <strong>the</strong> name <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pope, and as his<br />

representative,'^ Care shall also be taken that <strong>the</strong> accused<br />

shall not tie <strong>the</strong> hands <strong>of</strong> justice by appeals and similar<br />

practices.^ <strong>The</strong> bishop is specially urged^ to take care <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

poor and needy, as his government must in general bear <strong>the</strong><br />

stamp <strong>of</strong> gentleness.' <strong>The</strong> bishop should summon his clergy<br />

to a joint conference every year in a diocesan synod, while<br />

<strong>the</strong> metropolitans shall every three years hold a provincial<br />

synod.<br />

Above all things, however, <strong>the</strong> bishops must take care to<br />

have an able and worthy clergy. For <strong>the</strong> world in general,<br />

<strong>the</strong> Council states, nothing is in a higher degree a constant<br />

lesson in piety and <strong>the</strong> service <strong>of</strong> God, than <strong>the</strong> life and ex-<br />

ample <strong>of</strong> those who are dedicated to <strong>the</strong> divine service. All<br />

look to <strong>the</strong>m and regulate <strong>the</strong>ir conduct by <strong>the</strong>ir example. In<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir dress, <strong>the</strong>ir bearing and <strong>the</strong>ir speech, clerics must show<br />

<strong>the</strong>mselves filled with <strong>the</strong> spirit <strong>of</strong> religion, so <strong>the</strong>y must avoid<br />

even light sins, which in <strong>the</strong>ir case are very grave f <strong>the</strong>y must<br />

take <strong>the</strong> lead <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> people in <strong>the</strong>ir manner <strong>of</strong> life, <strong>the</strong>ir con-<br />

versation, and in <strong>the</strong>ir learning.^" Parish priests should preach<br />

every Sunday and festival, and <strong>the</strong>y must be specially careful<br />

about <strong>the</strong> instruction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> children in Christian doctrine. ^^<br />

All those who have <strong>the</strong> cure <strong>of</strong> souls are earnestly reminded<br />

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

^ Sess. 6, c. 2.<br />

^ Sess. 24, c. 10.<br />

* Sess. 6, c. 2, 3, ; sess. 7, c. 14 ; sess. 13, c. 5; sess. 14, c. 4 etc.<br />

^ Sess. 13, c. I-<br />

* Sess. 7, 0. 15; sess. 22, c. 8.<br />

' Sess. 13, c. I.<br />

^ Sess. 24, c. 2.<br />

* Sess. 22, c. I.<br />

^" Sess. 14, Prooem.<br />

^^ Sess. 24, c. 4.<br />

^

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