The Presbyters Project

II. Ut episcopus per dioecesim ambulans duos solidos tantum accipiat, neque tertiam partem de oblationibus quaerat, et ut clerici non cogantur more servili.

Placuit ut nullus episcoporum, cum per suas dioeceses ambulant, praeter honorem cathedrae suae, id est duos solidos, aliquid aliud per ecclesias tollat, neque tertiam partem ex quacumque oblatione populi in ecclesiis parochialibus requirat; sed illa tertia pars pro luminariis ecclesiae vel recuperatione servetur, et singulis annis episcopo inde ratio fiat. Nam si tertiam partem illam episcopus tollat, lumen et sacra tecta abstulit ecclesiae. Similiter et ut parochiales clerici servili more in aliquibus operibus episcopi non cogantur, quia scriptum est: Neque vi dominantes in clero.

(ed. Barlowe 1950: 119)

II. That the bishop should accept only two solids during his visitation of the diocese, and should not require the third part of the offerings, and that clerics should not be forced to the service.

It pleased us that no bishop should take anything more from churches during the visitation of the diocese than two solids, given to him out of respect to his episcopal office (cathedra), and he should not require the third part of any offerings of the people in churches. But this third part should be spent on lights for the church or on renovations, and once a year an account should be given to the bishop. For if the bishop took this third part, he would take the lights and roofs of the churches. Similarly, the parish clerics should not be forced to work as a bishop's servants, because it is written: [the elders which are among you shall not] be lords over God's inheritance (in clero, 1 Peter 5:3).

(trans. by M. Szada)

Place of event:

Region

Iberian Peninsula

City

Braga

About the source:

Title: Second Council of Braga 572, Concilium Bracarense a. 572, II Concilium Bracarense, Concilium Bracarense secundum
Origin: Braga (Iberian Peninsula)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

The Second Council of Braga was held in AD 572, eight years after the first. Presiding over the council was the metropolitan bishop of Braga, Martin, but also another metropolitan bishop was present - Nitigisius of Lugo. The province of Galicia had been divided in two regions (six dioceses in the each new province) some time before the second council. The Second Council was held under the auspices of the Suevic king, Miro (Barlowe 1950: 82-83).

It has been suggested that Martin of Braga wrote the minutes of both councils. There are no conclusive arguments, but some linguistic evidence in favour of Martin`s authorship was presented by the editor, C. Barlowe (1950: 83).

Edition:

Edition:

Concilium Bracarense secundum, in C. Barlowe ed., Martini episcopi Bracarensis opera omnia, New Haven 1950

Bibliography:

C. Barlowe ed., Martini episcopi Bracarensis opera omnia, New Haven 1950.

Categories:

Functions within the Church - Parish presbyter

Described by a title - Clericus

Ecclesiastical administration - Administering Church property

Ecclesiastical administration - Construction/Renovation

Economic status and activity - Indication of wealth

Economic status and activity - Gift

Relation with - Bishop/Monastic superior

Economic status and activity - Taxes and services

Devotion - Donations and offerings

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: M. Szada, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER329, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=329