1368

Feb. 13. Lateran. Pope Celestine III follows his predecessors Popes Honorius II, Innocent II, Celestine II, Lucius II, Eugenius III and Alexander III in taking Gaufridus prior and the canons of the Holy Sepulchre under protection. He renews their privileges and confirms their endowments. He states that in the absence of a patriarch the prior and canons will be responsible for managing the patriarchal house and familia. He confirms the freedom of prioral elections and the celebration by the prior of the stational Masses at the Templum Domini, Mt Sion, the Mt of Olives and St Mary of the Valley of Jehoshaphat in the absence of the patriarch. The prior and canons also have the right, in the patriarch’s absence, to excommunicate malefactors in their parishes, especially those who withhold the payment of tithes. None of their goods can be alienated or pledged, except by the common agreement, or that of the wiser part, of the canons; nor can anyone be sent overseas, suspended or expelled, unless his fault is manifest. Confratres can receive communion from the canons and be buried in the canons’ cemeteries unless they are excommunicated. The patriarch cannot extort goods from the canons and confratres. The canons are freed from payment of tithes on noval lands, cultivated by themselves or at their expense, or providing animal fodder. The pope also confirms half of the properties held in common with the patriarchate itself in England, Dacia, Germany, Poland, Ruthenia, Georgia [Auagia], Hungary and Constantinople.