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

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SEMINARIES. 375<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir duty <strong>of</strong> residing among <strong>the</strong>ir flocks.^ <strong>The</strong> bishop can<br />

suspend incapable clerics,- ignorant parish priests must have<br />

a coadjutor, and <strong>the</strong> immoral must be punished.^ A number<br />

<strong>of</strong> regulations aim at preventing unworthy persons <strong>from</strong><br />

receiving Holy Orders,^ above all, no one may be ordained,<br />

or receive a benefice, without having passed an examination ;^<br />

a certificate <strong>of</strong> good conduct <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> parish priest is necessary<br />

before receiving minor orders, and only step by step, and after<br />

long pro<strong>of</strong> and trial in <strong>the</strong> lower ranks, shall anyone be promoted<br />

to <strong>the</strong> priesthood.^ Even more important than all<br />

<strong>the</strong>se regulations for <strong>the</strong> prevention <strong>of</strong> unworthy persons<br />

being admitted into <strong>the</strong> ranks <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> clergy, was <strong>the</strong> decree<br />

that in every diocese where <strong>the</strong>re was no imiversity, a seminary<br />

should be estabUshed, where suitable young men were to be<br />

trained for <strong>the</strong> service <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sanctuary <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir youth ;'<br />

by this means <strong>the</strong> formation <strong>of</strong> a clergy, who should be cultured<br />

and learned, would be assured.<br />

Detailed steps were also taken to provide against <strong>the</strong> crying<br />

abuses in <strong>the</strong> system <strong>of</strong> benefices. Expectancies, as well as<br />

<strong>the</strong> regress Its and accessus, were forbidden for <strong>the</strong> future,^<br />

as well as <strong>the</strong> bestowal <strong>of</strong> benefices on minors,^ or canonries<br />

on such as would not be ordained, or perform <strong>the</strong> duties <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong>ir <strong>of</strong>fice.^" <strong>The</strong> Council seeks with special strictness to<br />

protect <strong>the</strong> holy sacrifice <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mass against all abuses arising<br />

<strong>from</strong> greed for gain, irreverence or superstition.^^ For <strong>the</strong><br />

rest, no abuse <strong>of</strong> any importance which was existent at that<br />

time can be named for which provision was not made as far<br />

^ Sess. 6, c. 2 ; sess. 7, c. 3 ; sess. 23, c. I.<br />

2 Sess. 14, c. 3.<br />

3 Sess. 21, c. 6.<br />

* Sess. 7, c. II ; sess. 14, c. 2 ; sess. 23, c. 16.<br />

' Sess. 7, c. 13 ; sess. 23, c. 7.<br />

' Sess. 23, c. 5, 14.<br />

' Sess. 23, c. 18.<br />

^ Sess. 24, c. 19 ; sess. 25, c. 7.<br />

* Sess. 23, c. 6.<br />

^° Sess. 24, c. 12 ; sess. 22, c. i.<br />

^^Sess. 22, de observandis et evitandis in celebratione missae.

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