1. If anyone in sickness has undergone surgery at the hands of physicians or has been castrated by barbarians, let him remain among the clergy. But if anyone in  good heath has castrated himself, if he is enrolled among the clergy he should be suspended, and in future no such man should be promoted. 

But, as it is evident that this refers to those who are responsible for the condition and presume to castrate themselves, so too if any have been made eunuchs by barbarians or by their masters, but have been found most worthy (dignissimi), the canon (regula) admits such men to the clergy.

Concerning those who are admitted to the clergy immediately after baptism

2.  Since, either through necessity or through the importunate demands of certain individuals, there have been many breaches of the church's canon (ecclesiastica regula), with the result that men who have recently come from a pagan life to the faith after a short catechumenate have been admitted at once to the spiritual washing, and at the same time as their baptism have been promoted to the episcopate or the presbyterate, it is agreed that it would be well for nothing of the kind to occur in the future.  For the catechumen needs time and further probation after baptism, for the Apostle's words are clear:  "Not a recent convert, or he may be puffed up and fall into the condemnation and the snares of the devil." (1 Tim. 3, 6-7).  But if with the passage of time some sin of sensuality is discovered with regard to the person and he is convicted by two or three witnesses, such a one will be suspended from the clergy.  If anyone contravenes these regulations, he will be liable to forfeit his clerical status for acting in defiance of this great synod.

Concerning women who have been brought in to live with the clergy

 3. This great synod absolutely forbids a bishop, presbyter, deacon or any of the clergy to keep a woman who has been brought in to live with him, with the exception of course of his mother or sister or aunt, or of any person who is above suspicion.  Cf. Elvira c.27

Of the number needed to appoint a bishop

4. It is by all means desirable that a bishop should be appointed by all the bishops of the province.  But if this is difficult because of some pressing necessity or the length of the journey involved, let at least three come together and perform the ordination, but only after the absent bishops have taken part in the vote and given their written consent.  But in each province the right of confirming the proceedings belongs to the metropolitan bishop.

Return to canons