A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

678 A Source Book for Ancient Church Historyfrom all parts of Gaul, and was called at the command of the“Glorious kings,” i.e., Childebert, Chlothar, and Theudebert.Canon 13. It is permitted to no one to retain, alienate, or takeaway goods or property which has been lawfully given to achurch, monastery, or orphan asylums for any charity; that ifany one does do so he shall, according to the ancient canons[cf. Hefele, §§ 220, 222], be regarded as a slayer of the poor,and shall be shut out from the thresholds of the Church so longas those things are not restored which have been taken away orretained.(e) Council of Braga, A. D. 572, Canons. Bruns, II, 37.[620]Canon 5. As often as bishops are requested by any of the faithfulto consecrate churches, they shall not, as having a claim, ask anypayment of the founders; but if he wishes to give him somethingfrom a vow he has made, let it not be despised; but if poverty ornecessity prevent him, let nothing be demanded of him. This onlylet each bishop remember, that he shall not dedicate a churchor basilica before he shall have received the endowment of thebasilica and its service confirmed by an instrument of donation;for it is a not light rashness for a church to be consecrated, as ifit were a private dwelling, without lights and without the supportof those who are to serve there.Canon 6. In case of any one who builds a basilica, not fromany faithful devotion, but from the desire of gain, that whatsoeveris there gathered of the offerings of the people he mayshare half and half with the clergy, on the ground that he hasbuilt the basilica on his own land, which in various places is saidto be done quite constantly, this therefore ought hereafter to beobserved, that no bishop consent to such an abominable purpose,that he should dare to consecrate a basilica which is founded notas the heritage of the saints but rather under the condition oftribute.