2965

. March 6. The Lateran. Pope Innocent IV writes to the [cardinal-bishop of Tusculum (Frascati) and papal legate Eudes de Châteauroux], relating that he desires above all things that all people be united in the Catholic faith and expressing his wish that the peoples of the Orient re-join the Orthodox of the Occident in one sheepfold with one shepherd. Since some Greeks are returning, it is right to tolerate their rites and usages as long as they do not endanger their souls. But the legate informed the pope of the dispute between the archbishop of Nicosia [Ugo da Fagiano] and his Latin suffragans, on one side, and the Greek bishops of Cyprus, on the other, over various issues on which the legate explained the views of both sides in detail. After deliberation with the cardinals, the pope has decided as follows: (1) Greeks should observe the Roman way with unction in baptism. (2) They may continue to anoint the whole body. (3) They may use hot or cold water. (4) Only bishops may confirm the baptized with chrism. (5) Individual bishops may make the chrism with balsam and olive oil on Holy Thursday, but the Greeks may make the chrism together with their patriarch and archbishops according to ancient custom. (6) Priests and confessors must not perform unction for penance alone. (7) Extreme unction is to be given to the sick. (8) The Greeks may use hot or cold water for the sacrament of the Eucharist, following their old custom. (9) They may not keep the Eucharist consecrated on Holy Thursday for a year to give to the sick, but for fifteen days maximum, so it does not spoil, although it remains efficacious in any case. (10) They may follow their custom in celebrating offices, but not past Nones. (11) Priests may say canonical hours in their way, but Matins must precede Mass. (12) Those promoted to the priesthood or priests charged with administration must be examined for their knowledge of hours and offices in different seasons. (13) Priests should use gold, silver, or tin chalices, wear white linen corporals, and cover the altar with clean cloth. (14) Women may not serve at the altar at all. (15) The Greeks may keep their custom of not fasting on Saturdays in Lent, although it would be better if they did not break the fast even for one day. (16) Married priests with parish churches may hear confessions and impose penance. (17) Busy bishops may have worthy assistants for hearing confessions, imposing penance, and other such things. (18) Fornication between unmarried men and women is a mortal sin. (19) Greek bishops must confer seven orders in the Roman way, not neglecting three of the minor orders, but those already ordained may remain so. (20) Widows are to be allowed to marry as often as they are widowed. (21) Priests shall not bless second marriages. (22) Marriages within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity (or the eighth in the Greek calculation) are forbidden, but those already married may remain so. (23) The Greeks shall employ the term ‘Purgatory’ for the place or purgation before Heaven that they already believe in. (24) Those dying in mortal sin without penance will suffer in Hell forever. (25) The souls of baptized children and adults in grace go straight to Heaven. (26) Greek abbots and monks must observe the Church Fathers’ rules and regulations for the monastic life. The pope orders the legate to inform the Greek bishops of Cyprus, who are to observe and have their subjects observe these decisions. The Latin archbishop and bishops are not to disturb the Greeks in any way over these matters.