Showing posts with label bull. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bull. Show all posts

Saturday, 12 September 2026

Saturday's Good Reading: "QUIA MAIOR” by Pope Innocent III (translated into Spanish by unknown translator).

 

29 de abril de 1213

    Debido a que en este momento hay una urgencia más apremiante que no ha habido nunca para ayudar a la Tierra Santa en su gran necesidad y porque esperamos que la ayuda enviada a ella y será mayor que la que nunca ha llegado a ella antes, escuchar cuando , tomando de nuevo el viejo grito, clamamos a ti. Lloramos en nombre de lo que al morir gritó a gran voz en la cruz, haciéndose obediente a Dios el padre a la muerte de cruz, gritando para que él podría arrebatarnos de la crucifixión de la muerte eterna. Él también clama con su propia voz y dice: "Si alguno quiere venir en pos de mí, niéguese a sí mismo, tome su cruz y me sigue," como si dijera, para decirlo más claramente: "Si alguno quiere seguirme a la corona, le permitió también me siguen a la batalla, que ahora se propone como una prueba para todos los hombres." Porque fue totalmente en el poder de Dios todopoderoso, si tenía así se desea, para evitar que la tierra fuera entregado en manos hostiles. Y si lo desea, puede fácilmente liberarlo de las manos del enemigo, ya que nada puede resistir a su voluntad. Pero cuando ya la maldad había ido más allá de todos los límites y el amor en los corazones de muchos hombres se había enfriado, puso este concurso antes de su fieles seguidores para despertarlos del sueño de la muerte a la búsqueda de la vida, en el cual pudiera probar su fe "como oro en el crisol." Él les ha concedido la oportunidad de ganar la salvación, nay más, un medio de salvación, por lo que los que luchan fielmente por él serán coronados en la felicidad por él, pero aquellos que se niegan a pagarle el servicio de la criada que le deben en una crisis de tanta urgencia se merecen justamente a sufrir una pena de condenación del Último Día de Juicio severo.

   Oh, cuánto bien ya ha llegado por esta causa! ¿Cuántos hombres, convertidos a la penitencia, se han entregado a sí mismos al servicio del Crucificado con el fin de liberar la Tierra Santa y han ganado una corona de gloria, como si hubieran sufrido la agonía del martirio, los hombres que tal vez podrían haber muerto en sus malos caminos, atrapadas en los placeres carnales y tentaciones mundanas! Este es el antiguo dispositivo de Jesucristo, que se ha dignado a renovar en estos tiempos para la salvación de sus fieles. Porque si alguno rey temporal es expulsado de su reino por sus enemigos , cuando recupera su reino perdido seguramente condenará sus vasallos como los hombres sin fe y para estos hombres malos ideará tormentos inimaginables, con el que los traerá a un mal final, a menos que se arriesgan para él no sólo sus posesiones, sino también sus personas ? En sólo tal manera será el Rey de Reyes, el Señor Jesucristo, que otorgó a su cuerpo y el alma y todas las otras cosas buenas que tiene, te condenarán por el vicio de la ingratitud y el delito de infidelidad si usted no puede venir en su ayuda cuando él ha sido, por así decirlo, expulsado de su reino, que él compró con el precio de su sangre. Así que usted debe saber que cualquier persona que no puede servir a su Redentor en esta hora de necesidad es blameworthily grave y severa de condenar.

   Porque, ¿cómo puede un hombre dijo a amar a su prójimo como a sí mismo, en obediencia al mandato de Dios , cuando, sabiendo que sus hermanos, que son los cristianos en la fe y en el nombre, se llevan a cabo en las manos de los sarracenos pérfidos en prisión extrema y son agobiado por el yugo de la esclavitud más pesado, él no hace algo efectivo para liberarlos, transgrediendo con ello el comando de esa ley naturl que el Señor le dio en el evangelio, "Todo lo que usted que los hombres hagan con vosotros, también vosotros a ellos? " O tal vez usted no sabe que muchos miles de cristianos están siendo sometidas a esclavitud y el encarcelamiento en sus manos, torturados por innumerables tormentos?

   Los pueblos cristianos, de hecho, llevan a cabo casi todas las provincias sarracenos hasta el momento de la Santísima Gregory ; pero desde entonces ha surgido un hijo de perdición, el falso profeta Mahoma, que ha seducido a muchos hombres de la verdad por las tentaciones mundanas y los placeres de la carne. A pesar de su traición ha prevalecido hasta nuestros días, que, sin embargo, sacamos la confianza en el Señor, que ya nos ha dado una señal de que bueno está por venir, que el fin de esta bestia se acerca, cuyo "número", según el Apocalipsis de San Juan, terminará en 666 años, de los cuales ya casi 600 han pasado. Y además de los antiguos grandes y graves lesiones que los sarracenos traicioneros han infligido a nuestro Redentor, a causa de nuestros delitos, la mismos sarracenos pérfidos han construido recientemente un bastión fortificado para confundir el nombre de cristianos en el Monte Tabor, donde Cristo reveló a sus discípulos una visión de su gloria futura; por medio de esta fortaleza piensan que van a ocupar fácilmente la ciudad de Acre, que es muy cerca de ellos, y luego invadir el resto de la tierra sin ninguna resistencia obstructiva, ya que es casi totalmente desprovisto de fuerzas o suministros.

   Así que ustedes mismos Rouse, la mayoría de los amados hijos, la transformación de sus peleas y rivalidades, hermano contra hermano, en asociaciones de la paz y el afecto; ceñíos para el servicio del Crucificado, no dudando en arriesgar sus posesiones y sus personas para aquel que dio su vida y derramó su sangre por ti, igualmente cierto y seguro que si usted está realmente arrepentido va a alcanzar el descanso eterno como se benefician de esta mano de obra temporal. , Para que la confianza en la misericordia de Dios todopoderoso y la autoridad de los bienaventurados apóstoles Pedro y Pablo, por que el poder de atar y desatar que Dios como conferido a nosotros, aunque indignos, concederá a todos aquellos que envíen a este trabajo personalmente o por su propia cuenta el perdón total de sus pecados, de los que hacen confesión oral veraz con corazón contrito, y como la recompensa de los justos que les prometen una mayor parte de la salvación eterna. Para los que lo hacen no personalmente campaña, pero al menos enviar hombres adecuados a sus propias expensas, según sus medios y posición en la vida, y de manera similar a los que ir personalmente, aunque a expensas de otro concedemos completo perdón de sus pecados. También deseamos y concedemos que todas las personas que donan un porcentaje apropiado de sus bienes a la ayuda de esa tierra deben compartir en la remisión de los pecados, de acuerdo a la cantidad de su ayuda y la profundidad de su devoción.

   También tomamos bajo la protección del Beato Pedro y nosotros mismos las personas y los bienes de esas mismas personas desde el momento en que toman la cruz; en realidad son de permanecer bajo la protección de los arzobispos y los obispos y todos los prelados de la Iglesia de Dios y decretamos que estos bienes deben permanecer intactos y descansar sin ser molestados hasta que se sepa con certeza si han muerto o han regresado casa. Si alguien se atreve a desafiar esta debe ser restringido por los prelados de las iglesias con la censura eclesiástica y sin derecho de apelación.

   Y si alguno de los que se establecen a ese lugar se llevan a cabo estrictamente por juramento a pagar usuras que orden con el mismo rigor que sus acreedores se ven obligados por los prelados de las iglesias que se abstengan de hacer cumplir los juramentos que se habían hecho a ellos y dejar de usuras exigentes. Y si alguno de sus acreedores les obliga a pagar usuras le mandamos ser obligado por una censura similar a restaurarlos. Ordenamos Judios ser obligado por medio del poder secular para remitir usuras a las mismas personas; y todo contacto de cualquier tipo, ya sea en las relaciones comerciales o de cualquier otra cosa, con todos los fieles cristianos deben ellos ser negada por sentencia de excomunión hasta que los hayan remitido.

   Pero para que la ayuda a la Tierra Santa se puede dar más fácilmente si es compartida por muchos, rogamos a todos y cada uno de ustedes a través del Padre y del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo, el único y verdadero, el único Dios eterno - y hablamos como Vicario de Cristo para Cristo - por un número suficiente de hombres que luchaban con los gastos durante tres años, a ser proporcionado por los arzobispos y obispos, abades y priores y capítulos, ya sea de las catedrales y otras iglesias conventuales, y todo el clero, y también ciudades, aldeas y castillos, de acuerdo con sus propios medios. Y si no hay hombres de guerra suficientes para esto en cualquier empresa en particular, varios grupos deben estar unidos entre sí. Para ciertamente esperamos que la mano de obra no será insuficiente si los medios no faltan. Le pedimos lo mismo de aquellos reyes y príncipes, contar, barones y otros magnates, quienes a su vez no vamos personalmente al servicio del Crucificado. Exigimos también ayuda naval de las ciudades marítimas.

   Así que no debemos parecen estar tirado en otros "cargas pesadas e insoportables" que no estamos dispuestos a "moverse con un dedo de la nuestra", declaramos la verdad delante de Dios que nosotros mismos vamos a hacer con un corazón dispuesto lo que han exigido a otros a hacer.

  Damos licencia especial para el clero por sus necesidades en este negocio; para esta materia y sin contradicción que pueden comprometerse los retornos de sus beneficios hasta por tres años.

   Porque, de hecho, eso significaría que la ayuda a la Tierra Santa sería muy impedida o retrasada si antes de tomar la cruz cada persona tuvo que ser examinado para ver si estaba personalmente en forma y capaz de cumplir un voto de esta clase, concedemos que cualquier persona que desee, excepto las personas obligadas por la profesión religiosa, podrá tomar la cruz de tal manera que este voto quizá sea conmutada, redimido o diferida por mandato apostólico cuando urgente necesidad o evidente conveniencia exige.

   Y por la misma razón por la que revocamos las remisiones y las indulgencias concedidas anteriormente por nosotros a los que se establecen para España contra los moros o contra los herejes en Provenza , sobre todo porque éstos fueron concedidos a ellos en circunstancias que ya han pasado por completo y por esa causa particular que ya tiene en su mayor parte desapareció, para asuntos hasta ahora en ambos lugares han ido bien, por la gracia de Dios, de modo que no es necesario el uso inmediato de la fuerza. Si acaso fuese necesario, nosotros cuidar de dar nuestra atención a cualquier situación grave que se plantea. Admitimos, sin embargo, que las remisiones e indulgencias de este tipo queden a disposición de la gente de la Provenza y los españoles.

   Y debido a corsarios y piratas dificultan la ayuda sobremanera a la Tierra Santa, capturando y despojando a los que viajan hacia y desde ella, que ellos y sus principales encubridores con el vínculo de la excomunión atamos, prohibiendo, bajo pena de anatema sin fin, cualquier persona con conocimiento de comunicar con ellos en cualquier contrato de venta o compra y ordenando los gobernantes de sus ciudades y distritos a llamar de vuelta y frenar que cometan este inquity. De lo contrario, vamos a tomar la molestia de mostrar severidad eclesiástica hacia sus personas y sus tierras, ya que tales personas son vuelto contra el nombre cristiano no menos son los sarracenos, y porque para ellos no quieren confundir a los impíos es nada menos que para fomentar ellos, y un hombre que abiertamente no cuestiona un malhechor no escapa a la sospecha de estar en alguna liga secreta con él. Renovamos, por otra parte, la sentencia de excomunión promulgado en el Concilio de Letrán contra los que llevan armas, hierro y madera, para la construcción de galeras a los sarracenos y que el capitán barcos piratas de los sarracenos, y si estas personas son capturados juzgamos que deben ser castigados por la confiscación de sus bienes y se conviertan en esclavos de sus captores. Pedimos oración de este tipo para ser leídos en público cada domingo y festividad en todas las ciudades marítimas.

   Estamos seguros de que, puesto que tenemos que poner mucho más confianza en la misericordia divina que en el poder humano, que debemos luchar en un conflicto de este tipo, no tanto con los brazos físicos como con los espirituales. Y así decreto y comandos que una vez al mes tiene que haber una procesión general de los hombres por separado y, cuando se puede hacer, de las mujeres por separado, orando con mentes y cuerpos humildemente dispuestos y con la oración devota y fervorosa, que Dios misericordioso nos revivir de esta desgracia vergonzosa liberando de las manos de los paganos que se posan en el que el realizaba el sacramento universal de nuestra redención y restaurándolo al pueblo cristiano a la alabanza y gloria de su santo nombre; con este sabio condición de que durante esa procesión de la predicación de la cruz que trae la salvación debe siempre se ofrece a las personas de una manera que es asidua y alentador. El ayuno y la limosna se deben unir a la oración, para que con estos como las alas de la oración en sí puede volar más fácil y rápidamente a los oídos más amorosas de Dios, ¿quién lo hará misericordiosamente escuchar a nosotros en el tiempo señalado. Y todos los días durante la celebración de la misa, cuando el momento ha llegado después de que el beso de la paz cuando el sacrificio salvífico se va a ofrecer por los pecados del mundo, o está a punto de ser consumidos, todos, hombres y mujeres por igual, humildemente debe postrarse en el suelo y el salmo : "Oh Dios, los paganos se entren en tu herencia" debe ser cantado en voz alta por el clero. Cuando esto se ha terminado con reverencia con este verso, "Levántese Dios, y dejar que sean esparcidos sus enemigos: y dejar a los que aborrecen a huir de delante de su rostro, el sacerdote que está celebrando debe cantar esta oración sobre el altar:

   Dios, que dispone todas las cosas con admirable providencia, humildemente te suplicamos arrebatar de las manos de los enemigos de la cruz de la tierra, el cual tu hijo unigénito consagró con su propia sangre y restaurarlo al culto cristiano por misericordiosamente dirigir en el camino de la salvación eterna de los votos de los fieles aquí presentes, hechos por su liberación, aunque el mismo Nuestro Señor etc.

   Un pecho vacío debe ser colocado en cada iglesia donde una procesión general, se reúne. Se debe estar cerrada con tres claves que deben ser atendidos con fidelidad y celebran, uno por un sacerdote honesto, otro por un laico devoto y una tercera por otro religioso. El clero y laicos, hombres y mujeres, debe poner sus limosnas para la ayuda de la Tierra Santa en este pecho, que se gasta de acuerdo con la decisión de aquellos a quienes se ha confiado esta preocupación. Nada debe ser establecido sobre la organización de un lugar adecuado desde el que el ejército del Señor puede partir y sobre su correcto y el paso ordenado y su hora de salida hasta que los cruzados han tomado la cruz. Pero luego, cuando se han tenido en cuenta las circunstancias en cada lado, debemos tomar la decisión de adoptar las medidas parece estar bien con el asesoramiento de los hombres prudentes.

  Y así estamos cometiendo la tarea de llevar esto a cabo. A nuestros amados hijos del abad de Salem y la ex abad de Neuburg y Conrad el decano de Speyer y el preboste de Augsburgo, los hombres de integridad y fe comprobado del todo, que, después de haber admitido a sus hombres de la empresa de la previsión y la integridad, el mosto en nuestra autoridad establecen y determinan todas las disposiciones que consideran ventajoso para promover este negocio. Y deben velar por que sus decisiones son fielmente y cuidadosamente realizadas en cada diócesis por los hombres adecuados especialmente designados para esta tarea. Y así nos preguntan, asesorar y suplicar a todos ustedes en el Señor, os mando por medio de cartas apostólicas y usted ordenando en el poder del Espíritu Santo, que tuviera cuidado de mostrarles que usted es el tipo de personas a través de y en los que pueden producir el resultado tan deseado, suministrándoles necesidades en la medida en que estos hombres están actuando en la oficina de Cristo legación.

 

Wednesday, 2 September 2026

Wednesday's Good Reading and a Celebration: “Horrendum Illud Scelus” by by Pope St. Pius V (itranslated into English).

 Today this blog completes 13 years of existence.

 * * * 
That horrible crime, by which corrupt and obscene cities were destroyed by fire through divine condemnation, causes us most bitter sorrow and shocks our mind, impelling us to repress such a crime with the greatest possible zeal.

§ 1. Quite opportunely the Fifth Lateran Council [1512-1517] issued this decree: “Let any member of the clergy caught in that vice against nature, given that the wrath of God falls over the sons of perfidy, be removed from the clerical order or forced to do penance in a monastery” (chap. 4, X, V, 31).

§ 2. So that the contagion of such a grave offense may not advance with greater audacity by taking advantage of impunity, which is the greatest incitement to sin, and so as to more severely punish the clerics who are guilty of this nefarious crime and who are not frightened by the death of their souls, we determine that they should be handed over to the severity of the secular authority, which enforces civil law.

§ 3. Therefore, wishing to pursue with greater rigor than we have exerted since the beginning of our pontificate, we establish that any priest or member of the clergy, either secular or regular, who commits such an execrable crime, by force of the present law be deprived of every clerical privilege, of every post, dignity and ecclesiastical benefice, and having been degraded by an ecclesiastical judge, let him be immediately delivered to the secular authority to be put to death, as mandated by law as the fitting punishment for laymen who have sunk into this abyss.

Nothing to the contrary withstanding, etc.

 

Saturday, 9 May 2026

Saturday's Good Reading: “Ad Abolendam” by Pope Lucius III (translated into English).

 


Synod of Verona 4th November 1184

 

To abolish the malignity of diverse heresies, which of late time are sprung up in most parts of the world, it is but fitting that the power committed to the Church should be awakened, that by the concurring assistance of the imperial strength, both the insolence and impertenence of the heretics, in their false designs, may be crushed, and the truth of catholic simplicity shining forth in the holy Church, may demonstrate her pure and free from the execrableness of their false doctrines. Wherefore we, being supported by the presence and power of our most dear son Frederick, the most illustrious Emperor of the Romans, always Increaser of the Empire, with the common advice and counsel of our brethren, and other Patriarchs, Archbishops, and many princes, who from several parts of the world are met together, do set ourselves against these heretics, who have got different names from the several false doctrines they profess, by the sanction of this present general Decree, and by our apostolical authority, according to the tenor of these presents, we condemn all manner of heresy, by what name soever it may be denominated.

More particularly we declare all Cathari, Paterines, and those who call themselves the Humbled, or Poor of Lyons, Passagines, Josephines, Arnoldists, to lie under a perpetual anathema: and because some under a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof, as the Apostle saith, assume to themselves the authority of preaching, whereas the same Apostle saith, How shall they preach, except they be sent? We therefore conclude under the same sentence of a perpetual anathema all those who either being forbid or not sent, do notwithstanding presume to preach publicly or privately, without any authority received either from the apostolic see, or from the Bishops of their respective dioceses; as likewise all those who are not afraid to hold or teach any opinions concerning the sacrament of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, baptism, the remission of sins, matrimony, or any other sacraments of the Church, differing from what the holy Church of Rome doth preach and observe; and generally all those who the same Church of Rome, or the several Bishops in their dioceses, with the advice of their Clergy, or the Clergy themselves, in case of a vacancy of the see, with the advice, if need be, of neighboring Bishops, shall judge to be heretics. And we likewise declare all entertainers and defenders of the said heretics, and those that have showed any favor, or given countenance to them, thereby strengthening them in their heresy, whether they be called Comforted, Bellowers, or Perfect, or with whatsoever superstitious names they disguise themselves, to be liable to the same sentence.

And though it sometimes happens, that the severity of ecclesiastical discipline, necessary to the coercion of sin, is condemned by those who do not understand the virtue of it, we notwithstanding by these presents decree, that whosoever shall be notoriously convicted of these errors, if a Clergyman, or one that endeavors to conceal himself under any religious order, he shall be immediately deprived of all prerogative of the Church orders, and so being divested of all office and benefice, be delivered up to the secular power, to be punished according to demerit, unless, immediately upon his being detected, he voluntarily returns to the truth of the Catholic faith, and submits publicly to abjure his errors, at the discretion of the Bishop of the diocese, and to make suitable satisfaction. And as for a layman who shall be found guilty, either publicly or privately, of any of the aforesaid crimes, unless by abjuring his heresy, and making satisfaction, he immediately returns to the orthodox faith; we decree him to be left to the sentence of the secular judge, to receive condign punishment, according to the quality of his offense.

And as for those who are taken notice of by the Church, as suspected of heresy, except at the Bishop s command they give full evidence of their innocence, according to the degree of suspicion against them, and quality of their persons, they shall all be liable to the same sentence. But those who after having abjured their errors, or cleared themselves upon examination, to their Bishop, shall be found to have relapsed into their abjured heresy; we decree, that without any further hearing they be forthwith delivered up to the secular power, and their goods confiscated to the use of the Church.

And we further decree, that this excommunication, in which our will is, that all heretics be included, be by all Patriarchs, Archbishops, and Bishops, renewed and repeated in all the chief festivals, and on any public solemnity, or upon any other occasion, to the glory of God, and the putting a stop to all heretical pravity; ordering by our apostolical authority, that if any Bishop be found wanting or slow herein, he be suspended for three years from his episcopal dignity and administration.

Furthermore, with the counsel and advice of Bishops, and intimation of the Emperor and Princes of the empire, we do add, that every Archbishop or Bishop, either in his own person, or by his Archdeacon, or by other honest and fit persons, shall once or twice in the year visit the parish in which it is reported that heretics dwell, and there cause two or three men of good credit, or, if need be, the whole neighborhood, to swear, that if they know of any heretics there, or any that frequent private meetings, or differ from the common conversation of mankind, either in life or manners, they will signify the same to the Bishop or Archdeacon: the Bishop also or Archdeacon shall summon before them the parties accused, who, except they at their discretion, according to the custom of the country, do clear themselves of the guilt laid to their charge; or if, after having so cleared themselves, they relapse again to their former unbelief, shall be punished at the Bishop s discretion. And if any of them, by a damnable superstition, shall refuse to swear, that alone shall suffice to make them heretics convict, and liable to the punishments before mentioned.

We ordain further, that all earls, barons, governors, and consuls of cities, and other places, in pursuance of the conmonition of the respective Archbishops and Bishops, shall promise upon oath, that in all these particulars, whenever they are thereto required, they wild powerfully and effectually assist the Church against heretics and their complices, and endeavor faithfully, according to their office and power, to execute the ecclesiastical and imperial statutes concerning the matters herein mentioned.

But if any of them shall refuse to observe this, they shall be deprived of their honors and charges, and be rendered incapable of receiving others, and moreover be involved in the sentence of excommunication, and their goods be confiscated to the use of the Church. And if any city shall refuse to yield obedience to these decretal constitutions; or that, contrary to the episcopal commonition, they shall neglect to punish opposers; we ordain the same to be excluded from all commerce with other cities, and to be deprived of the episcopal dignity.

We likewise decree, that all favorers of heretics, as men stigmatized with perpetual infamy, shall be incapable of being attorneys or witnesses, or of bearing any public office whatsoever. And as for those who are exempt from the law of diocesan jurisdiction, as being immediately under the jurisdiction of the apostolic see; nevertheless, as to these constitutions against heretics, we will, that they be subject to the judgment of the Archbishop and Bishops, and that in this case they yield obedience to them, as to the delegates of the apostolic see, the immunity of their privileges notwithstanding.

Saturday, 20 December 2025

“Audita tremendi” by Pope Gregory VII (translated into English)

 

Gregory, bishop, servant of the servants of God, to all Christ’s faithful who receive this letter, greeting and apostolic benediction.

 When we heard of the severity of the awesome judgment that the hand of God visited on the land of Jerusalem, we and our brothers were disturbed by such a great horror, afflicted by such sorrows, that we scarcely knew what to do or what we should do, save that the psalmist laments and says, ‘‘O God, the gentiles have invaded your inheritance, they have sullied your holy temple, they have laid waste Jerusalem; they have left the dead bodies of your saints as meat for the beasts of the earth and food the birds of the air . . .’’ [Ps 78:1–2]. In fact, because of the conflict which the malice of [Christian] men has recently brought on the land by the inspiration of the devil, Saladin approached those parts with a host of armed troops. They were confronted by the king and the bishops, the Templars and the Hospitallers, the barons and the knights, with the people of the land, and with the Lord’s cross (through which from memory and faith of the suffering of Christ, who hung there and redeemed the human race, was believed to be a sure safeguard and a desired defense against the attacks of the pagans), and after the battle was joined, our side was defeated and the Lord’s cross was captured. The bishops were slaughtered, the king captured, and almost all our men were either put to the sword or taken prisoner. Very few are believed to have escaped. Also, the Templars and Hospitallers were beheaded in his [Saladin’s] presence. With the army defeated, we do not think our letter can explain how they next invaded and seized every place so that only a few remained outside their power. Still, though we use the words of the prophet: ‘‘Who will give me water for my head and a font of tears for my eyes, and I will weep night and day for the death of my people’’ [Jer 9:1], we ought not despair now and decide to mistrust and believe that God is so angry with his people that in his anger with their commission of a multitude of sins he will not quickly pardon when he is pleased by their penance and, after tears and groans, will lead them to exaltation.

Indeed, whoever does not mourn at least in his heart in so great a cause for sorrow not only is ignorant of the Christian faith, which teaches us to join in all suffering, but of our very humanity. For from the magnitude of the dangers and their barbarous ferocity thirsting for the blood of Christians, and adding all their power in this cause to profane the holy and erase the name of God from that land, whoever thinks we should be silent should decide. Of course, when the prophets worked previously with total desire, later the apostles and their followers worked so that divine worship should be in that land and should spread from it to every part of the world by every means great and wonderful. God, through whom all things were made, who wished to take on flesh through his divine wisdom and his incomprehensible mercy and desired to achieve our salvation through the weakness of our flesh, hunger, thirst, the cross, death and resurrection, according to the words ‘‘And he has worked salvation in the midst of the land’’ [Ps 73:12] has himself decided to work for this end. Neither can tongue speak nor the senses understand what that land has now suffered, how much it has suffered for us and for all Christians, that we read it endured under its ancient population. Moreover, we ought not believe that these things happened because of the unjust act of the judge but rather by the iniquity of an unworthy people, since we read that at the time when the people were being converted to the Lord, ‘‘one thousand were persecuted and two were fleeing from ten thousand’’ [Dt 32:30]. On the contrary, however, the army of Sennacharib was overcome by an angelic force. But ‘‘that land also devoured its inhabitants’’ [Nm 13:33] and was not at peace for very long, nor could it restrain those who broke the law. Nor did it give teaching to those who would seek the heavenly Jerusalem, which they could not attain save through the exercise of good works and after many temptations. But they could long ago fear those things, when Arroasia [Edessa] and other land fell into the hands of the pagans [1144], and it was clearly foreseen if the people who remained had again done penance they would have pleased God whom they offended by their sins. For his anger is not quick, but he puts off the punishment, and gives time for repentance. But, finally, he does not lose his judgment in mercy, but exercises his protection for the punishment of sinners and for the surety of those to be saved.

We, therefore, should heed and be concerned about the sins not only of the inhabitants of that land but also of our own and those of the whole Christian people so that what is left of that land may not be lost and their power rage in other regions. For we hear from every direction of scandals and conflicts between kings and princes, among cities, so that we lament with the prophet and are able to say: ‘‘There is no truth, no knowledge of God in the land: lying, murder and adultery abound, and blood pursues blood’’ [Hos 4:1–2]. For this reason, everyone must understand and act accordingly, so that by atoning for our sins, we may be converted to the Lord by penance and works of piety and we may first alter in our lives the evil that we do. Then we can deal with the savagery and malice of our enemies. And, what they do not fear to try against God, we will not hesitate to do for God. Therefore, sons, consider how you came into this world and how all pass on, and thus you will pass on. Use the time for penitence and doing well insofar as it regards you, with thanks. Give yourselves, give after yourselves, because you, who cannot make even a gnat upon the land, have nothing of your own. We do not say, dismiss, but send us forth in the heavenly harvest which you have and deposit with him ‘‘upon whom the rust does not destroy, nor the worms, nor the thieves dig up and steal’’ [Mt 6:20]. Work for the recovery of that land in which for our salvation Truth has arisen from the land and did not disdain to carry the forked wood of the cross for us. Pay attention not to earthly profit and glory, but to the will of God who himself taught us to lay down our souls for our brothers. Give your riches to him, which whether willingly or unwillingly, you do not know to which greedy heirs they will be left. It is certainly not new, nor unusual, that that land is persecuted by a divine judgment that, after being beaten and corrected, it may obtain mercy. Of course, the Lord could preserve it by his will alone, but it is not for us to know why he would do this. Perhaps he wished to experience and bring to the notice of others if someone is understanding and seeking God, who having offered himself embraces the time of penance joyfully. He sacrifices himself for his brothers; though he may die young, still he accomplishes much. Heed how the Maccabees, afire with the divine zeal of the law experienced extreme dangers for the freedom of their brothers. They taught that not only riches but their persons should be sacrificed for their brothers, exhorting and saying to each other: ‘‘Gird yourselves and be powerful sons because it is better for us to die in battle than to witness the desecration of our nation and our saints’’ [1 Mc 3:58–59] Indeed, they were subject to one law; you by the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ have been led to the light of truth and instructed by the many examples of the saints. You should act without trepidation and do not fear to give away earthly possessions, which will last for such a short time, for those goods we are promised that ‘‘neither eye has seen nor ear has heard nor have they entered into the heart of man’’ [1 Cor 2:9], as the Apostle says: ‘‘That the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared to the future glory which will be revealed in us’’ [Rom 8:18].

We promise full remission of their sins and eternal life to those who take up the labor of this journey with a contrite heart and a humble spirit and depart in penitence of their sins and with true faith. Whether they survive or die, they should know that they, after they have made a true confession, will have the relaxation of the penance imposed, by the mercy of almighty God, by the authority of the apostles Peter and Paul, and ours. Their goods, from their reception of the cross, with their families, remain under the protection of the holy Roman Church, as well as the archbishops and bishops and other prelates. They should not face any legal challenge regarding the things they possess legally when they received the cross until their return or their death is known for certain, but they should also keep legally all their goods. Also, they may not be  forced to pay interest if they have a loan. They should not travel in precious clothing, and with dogs or birds, or with others that display ostentation and luxury, but in modest garb and demeanor, they should do penance rather than affect vainglory.

Dated at Ferrara on the fourth Calends of November [October 29, 1187], the sixth indiction.

Wednesday, 19 November 2025

“Laudabiliter” by Pope Adrian IV (translated into English by Ernest Flagg Henderson)

 

Bishop Adrian, servant of the servants of God, sends to his dearest son in Christ, the illustrious king of the English, greeting and apostolic benediction. Laudably and profitably enough thy magnificence thinks of extending thy glorious name on earth, and of heaping up rewards of eternal felicity in Heaven, inasmuch as, like a good catholic prince, thou dost endeavour to enlarge the bounds of the church, to declare the truth of the Christian faith to ignorant and barbarous nations, and to extirpate the plants of evil from the field of the Lord. And, in order the better to perform this, thou dost ask the advice and favour of the apostolic see. In which work, the more lofty the counsel and the better the guidance by which thou dost proceed, so much more do we trust that, by God's help, thou wilt progress favourably in the same; for the reason that those things which have taken their rise from ardour of faith and love of religion are accustomed always to come to a good end and termination.

There is indeed no doubt, as thy Highness doth also acknowledge, that Ireland and all other islands which Christ the Sun of Righteousness has illumined, and which have received the doctrines of the Christian faith, belong to the jurisdiction of St. Peter and of the holy Roman Church. Wherefore, so much the more willingly do we grant to them that the right faith and the seed grateful to God may be planted in them, the more we perceive, by examining more strictly our conscience, that this will be required of us.

Thou hast signified to us, indeed, most beloved son in Christ, that thou dost desire to enter into the island of Ireland, in order to subject the people to the laws and to extirpate the vices that have there taken root, and that thou art willing to pay an annual pension to St. Peter of one penny from every house, and to preserve the rights of the churches in that land inviolate and entire. We, there- fore, seconding with the favour it deserves thy pious and laudable desire, and granting a benignant assent to thy petition, are well pleased that, for the enlargement of the bounds of the church, for the restraint of vice, for the correction of morals and the introduction of virtues, for the advancement of the Christian religion, thou should'st enter that island, and carry out there the things that look to the honour of God and to its own salvation. And may the people of that land receive thee with honour, and venerate thee as their master; Provided always that the rights of the churches remain inviolate and entire, and saving to St. Peter and the holy Roman Church the annual pension of one penny from each house. If, therefore, thou dost see fit to complete what thou hast conceived in thy mind, strive to imbue that people with good morals, and bring it to pass, as well through thyself as through those whom thou dost know from their faith, doctrine, and course of life to be fit for such a work, that the church may there be adorned, the Christian religion planted and made to grow, and the things which pertain to the honour of God and to salvation be so ordered that thou may'st merit to obtain an abundant and lasting reward from God, and on earth a name glorious throughout the ages.

A.D. 1155.