Canon 1

 

Certainly, the authority of the venerable fathers confirmed a lot [of canons] in earlier times. Now, however, because it is fitting, in order for the propitious faith in God to thrive, to renew in the clergy and Catholic people the better [habits] by the means of the salutary advice of the pontiffs, remembering the statutes of the most holy fathers, we confirm by the decree of this canon, that no cleric from the rank of holy priest (antistes) down to the grade of subdeacon is permitted to have as his guest a woman except a mother, aunt, or sister. It is also pleasing that, if some married men acquire the office of diaconate or a presbyterate, they should be separated from their wives not only in bed but also in everyday contact. If any of them, God forbid, were to father a child through sexual intercourse [that took place] after receiving the benediction [i.e. after the ordination], he should be deprived of his rank.

(trans. J. Szafranowski)