22.06.2013 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

SACERDOTAL CONFERENCES. 185<br />

1567, Pius V. had all <strong>the</strong> confessors <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Roman churches<br />

examined, and those who were unlit removed ;^ at <strong>the</strong> be-<br />

ginning <strong>of</strong> 1 57 1 <strong>the</strong> approhatio <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> congregation <strong>of</strong> reform<br />

was required for all confessors. ^ An attempt was made to<br />

put difficulties in <strong>the</strong> way <strong>of</strong> unsuitable candidates receiving<br />

<strong>the</strong> priesthood, and it was ordered that for <strong>the</strong> future orders<br />

were not to be conferred unless <strong>the</strong> candidate had been<br />

examined before <strong>the</strong> Pope's Vicar a month previously.^<br />

Only by <strong>the</strong> express permission <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pope could <strong>the</strong> Segnatura<br />

permit ordinations extra tempora, or <strong>the</strong> legitimatization <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> illegitimate.^ Even <strong>the</strong> Cardinals could no longer confer<br />

benefices in <strong>the</strong> churches <strong>of</strong> Rome, except on those who had<br />

been accepted as suitable by <strong>the</strong> vicar-general.^<br />

With a view to creating a good spirit among <strong>the</strong> clergy<br />

<strong>the</strong> reform commission introduced sacerdotal conferences.<br />

All <strong>the</strong> parishes <strong>of</strong> Rome were divided into six districts,<br />

and <strong>the</strong> priests <strong>of</strong> each district had to meet once a week in<br />

one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> churches for <strong>the</strong> discussion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

parishes, as though in a little synod. ^<br />

<strong>The</strong> Pope also turned his attention to <strong>the</strong> exterior behaviour<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ecclesiastical body. In order to meet <strong>the</strong> evil custom<br />

by which even priests dressed as laymen, all clerics were<br />

obliged to wear <strong>the</strong> ecclesiastical dress ;' those who did not<br />

1 * Avviso di Roma <strong>of</strong> March 15, 1567, Urb. 1040, p. 370, Vatican<br />

Library.<br />

^ *Zibramonti, January 20, 1571, Gonzaga Archives, Mantua.<br />

Cf. *Avviso di Roma <strong>of</strong> January 20, 1571, Urb. 1042, p. 7, Vatican<br />

Library.<br />

3 *Avviso di Roma <strong>of</strong> May 12, 1571, Urb. 1042, p. 60, Vatican<br />

Library.<br />

* Order to Capizuchi. *Avviso di Roma <strong>of</strong> January 29, 1569,<br />

ibid. 1041, p. 13.<br />

^ Bull. Rom., VIL, 423. For <strong>the</strong> date see L.\derchi, 1566,<br />

n. 59-<br />

* *Avviso di Roma <strong>of</strong> March 8, 1567, Urb. 1040, p. 366, Vatican<br />

Library.<br />

' Edict <strong>of</strong> Cardinal Savelli <strong>of</strong> October 30, 1566, in Laderchi,<br />

1566, n. 58 ; cf. ibid. u. 63. *Strozzi, November 11, 1566, State<br />

Archives, Vienna.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!