Presbyters Uniwersytet Warszawski
ID
ER 821
Canon 11 of the Council in Mérida (Iberian Peninsula) in AD 666 orders presbyters, deacons, and fathers (abbates) to be obedient to their bishops, and forbids them to undertake secular affairs without the consent of their bishop.
Canon 11
 
Ut omnis presbyter, abba vel diaconus episcopo suo humilitatem teneat et reverentiam summam.
 
Pervenit ad coetum huius sancti concilii presbyteres, abbates et diacones episcopo suo inobedientes esse, atque id intromissum est ut dum quilibet ex presbyteris aut abbatibus suarum ecclesiarum decedentibus episcopis habeant absolutionem, episcopo suo dignam obedientiam iustamque reverentiam exhibeant, et quibus concessa est per cannonicam sententiam visitandi sua parrochia his potius inferatur iniuria et movetur calumnia. Proinde placuit huic sancto concilio ut tam a presbyteris quam abbatibus sive etiam a diaconibus episcopo honor debitus impendatur, a nullo contumeliam pati videatur et quandoque contigerit cum iuxta cannonicam sententiam visitare sua parrochia et digne eum suscipiant et prout habuerint aut ratio permiserit illi praeparent quae fuerint necessaria. Id ergo per omnia servandum instituimus ut nulli presbytero vel diacono sine volumptate episcopi sui licentia sit seculares peragere causas aut iniunctiones expedire publicas. Si quis huius ordinem capituli transcendere voluerit, excommunicationis sententia feriendum se noverit.
 
(ed. Vives 1963: 332)
Canon 11
 
That every presbyter, father (abba), or deacon shall express humility and greatest reverence toward his bishop.
 
The gathering of this council has learnt that presbyters, fathers (abbates) and deacons are disobedient to their bishops, and it has been introduced that when presbyters or abbots have exemptions granted by bishops for their churches, then they show proper obedience and just reverence to their bishops, but if bishops have, according to the canons, the right to visit the parishes, then they are insulted and calumniated. Therefore, it pleased the holy council that the presbyters, as well as fathers (abbates) and also deacons be respectful to the bishops. They [the bishops] shall not suffer any contumely, and whenever they visit their dioceses, according to the canonical law, [presbyters, fathers, and deacons] will welcome them duly, and will prepare for them all that is necessary, according to what they have and what is reasonable. We also decree that it shall be observed in every respect that no presbyter or deacon be allowed to attend secular affairs or exercise public duties. If someone wants to transgress the orders of this canon, let him be punished by the sentence of excommunication.
 
(trans. M. Szada)

Place of event:

Region
  • Iberian Peninsula
City
  • Merida

About the source:

Title: Council of Merida in 666, Concilium Emeritense a. 666, Council of Mérida in 666
Origin: Merida (Iberian Peninsula)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian
The provincial council of the Lusitania was held in Mérida in the church called Jerusalem in November AD 666. It was presided by Bishop Proficius of Merida, and eleven other bishops were present.
Edition:
J. Vives ed., Concilios visigóticos e hispano-romanos, Barcelona-Madrid 1963.

Categories:

Functions within the Church - Parish presbyter
    Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος
      Described by a title - Abba
        Ecclesiastical administration - Administering Church property
          Public law - Ecclesiastical
            Conflict
              Relation with - Bishop/Monastic superior
                Administration of justice - Ecclesiastical
                  Administration of justice - Excommunication/Anathema
                    Public functions and offices after ordination
                      Economic status and activity - Taxes and services
                        Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: M. Szada, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER821, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=821