On the honest discipline of those holding an [ecclesiastical] honour.

 

Although the blessed Apostle taught that one should "convince, rebuke, and encourage with the utmost patience in teaching" [2 Tim 4: 2], we have learnt that some of the brothers rage against the subjected clerics and give them such beatings that might have been deserved by bandits. Therefore, all those who deserved to obtain an ecclesiastical honour, that is presbyters, fathers and levites should not be subjected flogging (except in the case of serious and mortal crimes), because it is not fair for any prelate to subject honourable members [of his clergy] to flogging and beating, whenever he wants and however he likes. Lest he should not lose the due respect of his subjects, when he beats the bodies of his subordinates, as one wise man said: "One who is punished lightly expresses reverence toward him who punishes him, but when his punishment is too severe he gets neither a punishment nor salvation." And, therefore, whoever against this decision, arrogant because of his power, decides maliciously to flog clerics holding the aforementioned honours, should be punished with excommunication and exile for the scourging he gave to others.

 

(trans. M. Szada)