The Presbyters Project

Canon 13

De sacerdotibus qui uexantes cadere uidentur.

Bene siquidem Maiorum regulis definitum est ut daemoniis aliisque similibus passionibus irretitis ministeria sacra tractare non liceat. Cui praecepto consensu rationis adhibito id communiter definiuimus, ut nullus de his qui aut in terram arrepti a daemonibus eliduntur aut quolibet modo uexationis incursibus efferuntur, uel sacris audeant ministrare altariis uel indiscussos se diuinis ingerant sacramentis, exceptis illis qui uariis corporum incommoditatibus dediti sine huiusmodi passionibus in terram approbantur elisi. Qui tamen et ipsi tamdiu erunt ab officii sui ordine et loco suspensi quousque unius anni spatio per discretionem episcopi inueniantur ab incursu daemonum alieni.

(eds. Martínez Díez, Rodríguez 2002: 122-123)

Canon 13

On priests who fall down in convulsions.

Indeed, it is rightly decreed by the rule of the Fathers that those who are entangled by demons and other similar sufferings shall not hold the holy service. Having agreed with the reasons of this sentence we jointly decree that none who is stricken and seized by demons or taken by incursions of shaking shall dare to minister at the altars or to approach the divine sacraments without examination, except those who, surrendered by various corporal incommodities, are knocked down to earth without a similar suffering. But also the latter shall be suspended from their offfice and position for one year during which they are proven by a bishop to be free of the demonic incursions.

(trans. M. Szada)

Discussion:

For a "rule of the Fathers" against demoniacs see canon 29 in the collection of the Elviran canons.

Place of event:

Region

Iberian Peninsula

City

Toledo

About the source:

Title: Concilium Toletanum XI a. 675, Concilium XI Toletanum a. 675, Eleventh Council of Toledo in 675 AD
Origin: Toledo (Iberian Peninsula)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

The Eleventh Council of Toledo in AD 675 was the first council convened in the capital since AD 656. However, in contrast to the previous Toletan councils (apart from the one held in AD 597), it was not a plenary gathering of the bishops from all the Spanish provinces (on the discontinuation of the plenary councils see Collins 2004: 99-100), but only a provincial council of the Carthaginensis. It was gathered by King Wamba (AD 672-680). Present were seventeen bishops, six abbots and three representatives of absent bishops.

Edition:

G. Martínez Díez, F. Rodríguez eds., La colección canónica Hispana, Monumenta Hispaniae sacra. Serie canónica 6, Madrid 2002.

Bibliography:

R. Collins, Visigothic Spain, 409-711, Oxford 2004.

Categories:

Described by a title - Sacerdos/ἱερεύς

Ritual activity - Eucharist

Public law - Ecclesiastical

Relation with - Bishop/Monastic superior

Administration of justice - Suspension

Impediments or requisits for the office

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: M. Szada, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER875, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=875