3079

May 18. Naples. Pope Alexander IV writes to the master and brothers of the Hospital of Jerusalem, relating that, since the senses of humans are prone to evil from adolescence and the flesh always pushes one toward sin, despite the splendour of their religious observance, because of human frailty it happens sometimes that clerics and laymen among them go to excess in cases whereby they incur sentences of excommunication and for clerics the mark of irregularity. Since having to obtain absolution and dispensation may provide an occasion for them to wander and for others to murmur, the pope answers their prayers by allowing their priors, who are priests, to give such absolution and dispensation to those of the Hospital who require it, whether the infractions were done before or after they joined the order, provided that fitting satisfaction is done for injury and loss – unless they are so difficult or serious that the perpetrators should be sent to the Apostolic See. Valid for one year after this letter is received.