Page:Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent Buckley.djvu/169

Rh other benefices with or without cure, with [other] cures, on account of the poverty of those [churches], and in the other cases permitted by law; even though the said churches, or benefices, be generally or specially reserved, or in what way soever applied. "Which unions shall not be able to be revoked or infringed, by force of any provision soever, not even on account of any resignation, or derogation, or suspension.

CHAPTER VI.

To unskilful Rectors Vicars shall he deputed with a Portion of the Fruits; those persevering in the Scandal may he deprived of their Benefices. Inasmuch as illiterate and unskilful rectors of parish churches are but little fit for the sacred offices; and others, by reason of the baseness of their lives, rather destroy than edify; the bishops, even as the delegates of the Apostolic See, may depute to the said illiterate and unskilful rectors, if they be otherwise of a beseeming life, coadjutors, or vicars for the time being, and assign to the same part of the fruits for their sufficient maintenance, or provide for them in some other manner, setting aside any appeal or exemption whatsoever. But those who live basely and scandalously, they shall, after they have first been admonished, restrain and punish; and if they shall still continue incorrigible in their wickedness, they shall have power to deprive them of their benefices, according to the constitutions of the sacred canons, setting aside every exemption or appeal soever.

CHAPTER VII.

Bishops shall transfer Benefices from Churches which cannot he restored; but they shall cause others to he repaired. What must be observed in this respect.

Whereas very great care ought also to be taken, lest those things which have been dedicated to sacred services, may, through the injury of time, grow obsolete, and pass from the memory of men; the bishops, even as the delegates of the Apostolic See, may transfer simple benefices, even those under a right of patronage, from churches, which by age, or otherwise, have fallen into ruin, and which cannot, on account of their poverty, be restored to the mother churches, or