Commissa nobis divinitus

Pius PP. VI
To perpetual memory of the matter Given at Rome & [...]

1 § 1. The care of all the churches committed to Us by divine Providence demands that those things which have been instituted or begun by Our predecessors for the more abundant progress of orthodox religion, We should willingly confirm, preserve, and, as far as We are able in the Lord, lead to the desired outcome and perfection. § 2. Since therefore, as We have learned from undoubted monuments, the venerable brothers, Our predecessors, the cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, appointed to the business of propagating the faith, have from the year 1568 been mindful, at the urgent request of the students of the Greek College in the City and other pious and religious men, to provide for the spiritual needs of the Italo-Greeks, or Albanians, of whom there is a very great multitude in the kingdoms of Sicily on both sides and in Calabria especially, to establish there a titular archbishop or bishop who might apply salutary remedies to certain abuses introduced into the Greek rite, and restore all things to their pristine splendor, and might instruct these Italo-Greeks or Albanians, entirely lacking in Greek letters and the sacred ceremonies of their own rite, and promote them to holy orders. Since therefore Our predecessor of happy memory, Pope Clement XII, erected and endowed in the diocese of Bisignano a seminary, or ecclesiastical college recently called Corsicorum, for a certain number of Italo-Greek boys to be instructed and supported therein in perpetuity. § 3. And then he committed the government and administration of the same college in perpetuity to the bishop of the Greek rite in the regions of the infidels, with certain patrimonial faculties, among which in particular was the faculty that the aforesaid bishop, as president of the college for the time being, might exercise all and singular pontifical functions in the church of the same college, and promote to holy orders not only the students of the said college, but also any other Italo-Greeks, inhabitants of either kingdom of Sicily, on this side and beyond the Strait, as is more fully and amply contained in the decrees of the aforesaid venerable brothers Our predecessors of 23 December and 4 February 1745, confirmed by the same Clement Our predecessor in two apostolic letters in the form of a Brief, the one dated 4 June 1735, beginning "Superna dispositione," the other dated 31 March 1736, beginning "Provida pastoalis officii."

2 § 4. Since however the principal reason which moved those venerable brothers Our predecessors, and the same Pope Clement Our predecessor, to grant to the bishop of the Greek rite beyond the Strait [...]

3 When the president of the aforesaid college had been thus elected and established in the same Bisignanese diocese, he would soon grant express faculty for all Italo-Greeks dwelling in both Sicily, in this matter it was provided, lest young men of the Italo-Greek nation of this kind, for receiving the aforesaid sacred orders, should be obliged to undergo further inconveniences and expenses, by going to Our city, and there receiving the same orders from the bishop of the Greek rite appointed by the Holy See to fulfill this function, according to the practice observed up to that time, and according to the form of the constitution issued by Our predecessor of happy memory, Pope Urban VIII, on this matter, to which the aforesaid Clement XII expressly and specially derogated. It remained, therefore, that just as the provision of such a Greek bishop, perpetually residing in the Bisignanese diocese, had been made for the convenience and benefit of the Greeks dwelling in Calabria, so also by the appointment of another titular bishop of the same Greek rite, who, residing in Sicily beyond the Strait, might confer sacred orders upon the Italo-Greeks inhabiting that island with letters dimissorial from the respective ordinaries of those dwelling in the same kingdom and island of Sicily, and who were grievously displeased at having to undertake a long and tedious journey to receive sacred orders, either by going to this Our city, or to the Bisignanese diocese, where the Greek bishop had long dwelt—they have very recently obtained this, through the piety and munificence of Our most beloved son in Christ, Ferdinand, King of both Sicilies, who, in order more easily to obtain from Us the appointment of another titular bishop of the Greek rite in Sicily beyond the Strait, to remain there perpetually and to confer sacred orders upon men of the same rite inhabiting that island with letters dimissorial from their respective ordinaries, asked that to the same bishop for the time being existing, for his suitable maintenance according to the requirements of pontifical dignity, We should perpetually assign the abbey of St. Mary of Gala of his royal patronage, which is now held by Our beloved son Peter Petrusancta in commendam for his lifetime by royal nomination, and also by apostolic concession and dispensation, to the aforesaid bishop of the Greek rite, as is aforesaid, to be appointed, until the same abbey should happen to become vacant, and the administration and revenues of the vacant benefice of St. Pancras of the Latin rite in the meantime We consent may be assigned by Us.

4 Pius, Pope, Sixth. § 5. We therefore, who wish both to comply with the most pious will of the aforesaid king, and to spare the beloved sons, the Italo-Greeks dwelling in the same kingdom, who are to be initiated into sacred orders, from the very many inconveniences and expenses hitherto borne through the lack of a bishop of the Greek rite residing in Sicily beyond the Strait, by Our own motion, and having also heard the counsel of Our venerable brothers, the cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, exhibited to the aforesaid congregation of Propaganda Fide by Our beloved son Stephen Borgia, secretary of the same congregation, do constitute and appoint perpetually by the tenor of these presents a bishop of the Greek rite in the lands of the infidels, who, since he cannot reside personally at the church committed to him on account of the impious tyranny of the same infidels thus compelling, shall reside in the kingdom of Sicily beyond the Strait, and there confer sacred orders upon the Italo-Greeks of the same kingdom, inhabitants, exhibiting to him letters dimissorial from their respective ordinaries, in the church of St. Demetrius, the place commonly called della Piana in the diocese of Palermo, without any license whatsoever of the ordinary of the same place, namely the archbishop of Palermo, and in other churches both of the Palermo and of other dioceses with the license of the ordinaries, and may perform other ecclesiastical functions of the Greek rite. To the same bishop for the time being existing, and to be nominated by the same most beloved son in Christ, Our Ferdinand, King of both Sicilies, and his successors, by virtue of his royal patronage aforesaid, the aforesaid abbey of St. Mary of Gala in the diocese of Messina, which at present is held in commendam by Our beloved son Peter Petrusancta, We now then perpetually assign, whenever it shall happen to become vacant, and We grant the interim administration and perception of the fruits of the vacant benefice of St. Pancras of the Latin rite, and of royal patronage, by which, until the aforesaid abbey shall happen to become vacant, he may sustain himself and maintain his proper dignity, the royal consent being obtained, indulging and pardoning, We grant and impart all those faculties regarding the sacred ordinations of the Italo-Greeks of the kingdom of Sicily beyond the Strait, which the late Pope Clement XII granted to the bishop of the Greek rite in the Corsini seminary erected by him in Calabria in his apostolic letters on this matter in the form of a Brief, to which letters, as regards the ordinations only of the Italo-Greeks of the kingdom of Sicily beyond the Strait, We expressly and specially derogate by this Our constitution to be perpetually valid; the same apostolic letters remaining in their force as regards the rest.

5 § 6. Notwithstanding the constitutions and apostolic ordinances, and the others which in the aforesaid Clementines it was decreed should not hinder. Given at Rome at St. Peter's under the fisherman's ring on 6 February in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty-four, in the ninth year of Our pontificate.

6 CDLXXVI.

7 § 6. Diminution of feast days in the city and diocese of Senegall.

8 To Our venerable brother the bishop of Senegall.

9 Pius PP. VI

10 Venerable brother, greetings and apostolic benediction. Since, as certain things are such that they can be overturned by no reasoning, so many things are such that either for consideration of the times, or for necessity of affairs it is fitting that they be moderated, that condition always being observed, that in those things which either have been doubtful, or obscure we should follow that which is found neither contrary to the precepts of the Gospel, nor adverse to the decrees of the holy Fathers; for this reason the apostolic see, this holy Society, out of paternal kindness toward all the Christian faithful, insofar as it was fully able, has been accustomed to interpose its supreme authority in those matters which otherwise are prescribed for the greater increase of divine worship, or are converted through cooling charity in the hearts of some to idleness and luxury, or on account of the scarcity of things necessary for sustaining life, are not without anguish of conscience despised. § 2. Since therefore, as on your part it has been set forth to Us, it became known to your fraternity, that in the city and diocese of Senegall calamities and straits have so increased on account of the misfortunes of these present times, that the wretched inhabitants and dwellers thereof, and especially those who eat their bread in the sweat of their face by the command of God, are very often compelled (though unwillingly) to neglect feast days and to apply themselves to mechanical works for earning bread, and this happened more easily on account of the increased number of feast days; and therefore it was humbly supplicated to Us, that in the aforesaid matters We should opportunely provide, and that We should deign to grant indulgence from apostolic kindness.

11 We wish to pursue the inhabitants with special graces and favors, desiring rather to provide a salutary remedy for obtaining eternal salvation and for honestly sustaining human life to those who are faithful to Christ, insofar as we are able with the Lord, than to lead the poor to desperation through the more severe rigor of ecclesiastical discipline. And absolving the singular persons of the said inhabitants from any excommunication, interdict, and other ecclesiastical censures, sentences, and penalties imposed in any manner and for whatever cause, if perchance they have incurred any, by this grace alone, and considering them absolved, inclined by these supplications, we commit and command to your fraternity through these presents, that, the narratives being true, to all of both sexes the faithful of Christ of the same city and of the said diocese of Senogallia, requiring that henceforth, excepting all Sundays, and also the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the following feast of St. Stephen, the Circumcision, the Epiphany, the Ascension, and the following, the Resurrection, and the following, Pentecost and the following, and Corpus Christi, and the Ascension, St. John the Baptist, St. Joseph, and the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and James, and the commemoration of all saints, moreover five feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate, namely the Purification, the Annunciation, the Assumption, the Nativity, and the Conception, and also of the holy patron or guardian of any place for the men of the same place only, on festive days in which the full obligation of the precept remains, but on the remaining feasts, whether by precepts of this holy See, or by synodal constitutions of the same city and diocese, or by whatever other cause, even from the cause of a vow made by their ancestors, which also in this part we will to be commuted by your authority with our apostolic authority, by the precepts and prescriptions, having heard Mass, they may devote themselves to the laborious exercise of their arts and servile works without any scruple of conscience whatsoever, you shall grant and permit, allow, establish, command, and order by our apostolic authority. § 4. Notwithstanding apostolic constitutions, and general or special constitutions and ordinances issued in universal, provincial, and synodal councils, and also the statutes and customs of the aforesaid city and diocese and of those places, even those strengthened by oath, apostolic confirmation, or any other firmness, and also privileges, indults, and apostolic letters granted to superiors and persons under whatever tenors and forms, and with whatever clauses, even derogatory of derogations, and other efficacious, most efficacious, and unusual clauses, irritant and other decrees in general or in particular, and in others in any way contrary, granted, approved, and renewed. All and singular of which we, having the tenors of these present for fully and sufficiently expressed, and inserted word for word, otherwise remaining in their force, we specially and expressly derogate for this occasion only for the effect of the aforesaid, and to all other things contrary whatsoever. Given at Rome at St. Peter's under the Fisherman's ring on the sixth day of February in the year one thousand seven hundred eighty-four, in the ninth year of our pontificate.

Machine translation, not reviewed. The original text is authoritative.

Latin text

Pius PP. VL
Ad perpetuam rei memoriam Dit Rom* & r«ltrnarii «7«»

1 $. 1. Commissa Nobis divinitus Protniun. ecclesiarum omnium sollicitudo postulat , utque a praedecessoribus Nostris vel instituta, vel incoepta sunt ad orthodoxae religionis uberiorem progressum, praesidium , ct decus , libenter confir- Digitized by Google mare * servareque conemar , et quantum in Domino possumus, ad optatum 1 exitum, perfectionemque deducamus. «iipiuMiur S* a* Cum itaque sicut ex indubiis 1^*3* monumenti 3 accepimus venerabiles fraiTuwm' frqs Nostri Sanet* Romanae Ecclesiae XII^diocM* cardinales negotiis propaganda; lidei pro iasiructioprepositi usque ab anno MULCXV1II. b« acioUxeii* instantibu* alumnis collegii Graecorum t^nacoruio. de urbe , nlmque pus viris , ac religiosis, in aoimum habuerint consulere spiritualibus indigentiis Ituio-Graicorum, seu Albanensiurn , quorum maxima copia est in regnis utrimque Siciliae, et p> Calabria pr;e»ertim , titularem ibi archiepiscopum , seu episcopum iis in Ipcis constituere, qui nonnullis abusibus in Graecum rjtum invectis salutaria compararet remedia, omniaque ad pristinum nitorpm constitueret, cosdeuique Italo Graecos, seu Albanenses G racarum literarum , sacrarumque caeremoniarum proprii ritus omnino expertes instrueret, et ad sacros ordines promoveret. Cum proinde fei. ree. Clemens pp.XH. praedecessor Noster in Bisinianepsi dioecesi seminarium, $911 collegium ecclesiasticum Corsioprn nupeupatum pro certo puerorum Italo Graecorum in illo instruendorum, et alendorum numero perpetuo erexerit, dotaveritque. Rucion Hujni $. 5. Qeinde vero ejusdem collegii regirteo, et adminjstratiuneoj perpetuo *• fuii oriticommiserit antistiti Graeci ritus in par- ”*°edi'io",,uJJSS! tibiis infidelium, quibusdam pi atiri- •iimquc it*ir> butis facultatibus, ilUque inter cicteras, cn* ‘mAkm!’ ut antistes praedicti collegii praeses pro tempore existens in ejusdem collegii eoefesia omnia , et singula pontificalia exercere posset , ct ad sacros ordines promovere non tam dicti collegii alumnos, quam a|Ias qnoscumque Ita- Graecos utriusque regni Siciliae, citra, et ultra Pharum incolas, prout in decretis prodictarum venerabilium fratrum Nostrorum die xxiii. decembris, et iv. februarii MIKXXXXV. ab eodem demente prxdecessore Nostro confirmatis duabus apqstolicis literis in forma Brevis, niteris sub datum iv. idus junii MDCCXXXV. incipientibus » Superna dispositione » alteris sub datum pridie kalendas aprilis MDCCXXXVI. incipientibus * Provida posloratis officii» jatius, uberiusque continetur.

2 S- 4- Cum autem pr*ejpna ratio , qiu> Iqudatos firqs venerabiles fratres jSKS: Nqstros, eumdenique fei. rec. pqnti- •iiafoov» dcficcm Clementem prodecessorem No- Pi^*itT"wpron stfnm impulit , ut antistiti Graeci ritus ptnv Pharum.

3 «•Ijn prxsideni memorati collegii in eadem Bisiniancnsi dicrccsi sic electo, et constituto mox expressam tribueret fa« cultatem pro cunctis Italo Graecis in utraqne Sicilia degentibus, in hoc ? crisetur, ne juvenes Italo Grrecae gentis hujusmodi pro dictis sacris ordinibus accipiendis incommoda , et expensas amplius subire tenerentur , accedendi ad urbem Nostram , ibique ab episcopo Graeci ritus ad id mungri* explendum per sanctam Sedem constituto eosdem ordines suscipere juxta praxim ad illud usque tempus servatam, et ad formam constitutionis fei. rec. pp- Urbani VIU. pnedecessoris itidem Nostri desuper editre, cui quoad hoc Clemens praefatus XII. expresse, et specialiter derogavit , reliquum erat , ut qnmnadmodum jiujusmodi Graoi antistiti» in BisUAanensi dioecesi perpetuo residens lis depfitatione consultum fuerat Grascorum in Calabria degentium commodo , ct emolumento, ita quoque depu* talione alterius antistitis titularis ejusdem Graeci ritus , qui in Sicilia nitra Pharum residens Italo Graecis eam insulam incolentibus sacros ordines conferre vit* leret cum literis dimissarialibus, ordi* nariorum respective suorum , eorumdent in eodem Siciliae regno , atque insula commorantes , «egreque ferentes pro sacris ordinibus suscipiendis longum , serumnosumque aggredi iter accudendi, vel ad hanc Nostram Urbem , vfl ad Bisiniqnensem dicecesim , ubi untCiui degit antistes Grseci ritus jamdiu ve-* bementer optabant , id nuperrime sunt consecuti pietate, ac munificentia charitsinii in Christo filii Nostri Ferdiniri* di utriusque Sicilias regis , qui ut facilius a Nobis obtineret deputatioucrn alterius antistitis titularis Grreci ritus in Sipilia ultra Pharum perpetuo permansuri, ibi sacros ordines collatori hominibus ejusdem ritus eam insulam incolentibus cum literis dimissoriahbus respeclivoruni ordinariorum rogavit, ut eidern antistiti pro tempore exi»tcntl pro ejus congrua juxta pontificalis dignitatis exigentiam, sustentationem, abbatiam s. Mari» de Gala sui regii patronatus perpetuo addiceremus, quam nunc obtinet dilectus filius Petrus Pe'- trusaucta in conimendam ad sui vitafn ex regia nomiuatione, oec non ex concessione , et dispensatione apostolieis pnedjete antistiti Grssci ritus , ut praefertur deputando, donec eadem abbatia vacare contigerit administratioucm , et redditus vacantis beneficii sancti Pancratii Latini ritus interca a Nobis as$i-* gnari posse consentit.

4 Pias PF. Sextus iw $• 5. No» igitur , qui et piissim.-e lianis: praedioli regis voluntati obsecundare , et quamplurirais incommodis , atque expensis hactenus importatis per defectum antistitis Graeci ritus in Sicilia ultra Pharum residentis dilectis filiis Italo Graecis in eodem regno commorantibus sacris ordinibus initiandis par- % cere vehementer cupimus, motu proprio, auditoque etiam consilio venerabilium fratrum Nostrorum Sanctae Romanae Lcclcsi.e cardinalium praefatae congregationi de Propaganda fide per dilectum filium Stephanum Borgia ejusdem congregationis secretarium exhibito antistitem Grxci ritus in partibus infidelium, qui apud ecclesiam sibi commissam impia eorumdem infidelium sic cogente tyrannide , personaliter residere non valens in regno Siciliae ultra Pharum resideat, ibique Italo Graecis ejusdem regni incolis dimissoriaiea suorum respective ordinariorum literas sfbi exhibentibus sacros ordines in ec-r clesia sancti Demetrii loci vulgo della Piana Panormitanae dioecesis absque ulla ordinarii ejusdem Joci orchiepiscopi » nempe Panormitani licentia , in aliis vero ecclesiis tum Panormitanae , tum aliarum dioecesuin de ordinariorum licentia conferre , atque alias ecclesiasticas functiones Graeci ritus peragere valeat , tenore praesentium perpetuo constituimus, et deputamus , eidemque antistiti pro tempore existenti, et ab eodem charissimo in Christo J i/io xVo- Stro FtrJinando utriusque Siciiue ejusque successoribus nominando vigore sui regii patronatus supradilctum abbatiam sanctae Mariae de Gala iu dkecesi JVJessaucnsi , quam in praesens i u commendati) obtinet dilectus filius Petrus PeRasanta cum vacare contigerit, nunc tunc perpetuo addicentes , interinamque administratiinem , pcrccptioiigmque fructuum vacantis beneficii sancti Paucralii Latini ritus , regiique patronatus, queis donec prodicta abbatia vacare contigerit, se alere valeat, propriumque dignitatem tueri regio ac* cedente consensu, indulgentes, et condonantes eas omne» facultates concedimus , et impertimur quoad sacros ordinationes Italo Graecorum regni Siciliae ultra Pharum, quas fel. rec. Clemens pp. XII. concessit antistiti Grxci ritus in seminario Corsino a se iu Calabria erecto degenti in suis super lati-, datis apostolicis literis in forma Brevis, quibus quoad ordinationes dumtaxat Italo Graecorum regni Siciliae ultra Pharum hac Nostra perpetuo valiiura conabg stitutione expresse , ac spcci.iliicr derogatum volumus; iisdem apostolicis literis quoad reliqua in suo robore permansuris.

5 $. 6. Non obstantibus constitutionibus, et ordinationibus apostolicis, eae- ,r#rwrHW* terisque, qu?e in profatis Clementinis literis non obstate fuit decretum. Datum Konire apud sanctum Petrum sub annuto piscatoris die vi. februarii millesimo septingentesimo ofmugesimo quarto, pontificatus Nostri .uinu nono.

6 CDLXXVL h.

7 < <j 6 . IrUii.m Imminutio festorum in civitate et dioe-r cesi Scuogalliensi.

8 Venerabili fratri episcopo Scnogalliensi.

9 Pius PP. VL ,*

10 Venerabilis frater ,,j Salutem, et apostoheam benedictionem J. i. Dum sicut quaedam sunt y Promnm. qL inquit sanctus Leo magnus prodecessor Noster, qurc nulla possunt ra- • tione convelli, ita mulla sint, quae aut pro consideratione aetatum, aut pro necessitate rcr.um oporteat temperari , ilia semper conditione servata , ut io hjs, quae vel dubia fuerint , aut obfciw ra id ftorcrimus sequendum, quod* nec praeceptis evangelicis contrarium , nec decretis sanctorum Patrum inveniatur adver»mn ; ea propter apostolien hoc sancta Socies pro paterna erga universos Christifideles benignitate, quoad integrum sibi fuit , consuevit supremam suam in iis auctoritatem interponere , quae coteroquin a.d majus djvim culius incrementum praescripta , aut per frigescentem in nonnullorum cordibus charitatem ad otium, luxuriamque convertuntur, nut ob rerutn ad vitam traducendam necessariarum inopiam, non sine conscienti* angore contemnuntur. C. 2. Quoniam autem , sicut pro •V'*" eoBC#»* parte tua Nobis expositum fuit, eidem fraternitati tu* innotuit, quod in civitate, et dicecesi Scnogallicnsi adeo excreverunt calami tate3, et angusti a; propter praesentium temporum infortunia , ut miseri illarum habitatores , incolxquq, ac praesertim ii , qui in sudore vultus Diqit stii panem comedunt , persapissime oogantur (quamvis auitno invito ) dies festos negligcr?, operibusque mechanicis se se addicere pro pane lucrando , et id eo focilius contigit ob excretum {dierum festorum numerum; ac proptefea Nobis humiliter suppfjcaium fuit, ut in promissis opportune providere , et ut infra indulgerc de benignitate apostolica dignaremur.

11 S- 5- Wp» ftaqiie , quj Chriitifidcsie«if libus, qgantum cum Domino possumus , salutare remedium potius ad ?etemam salutem comparandam , et humanam vitam honeste subsistendam adhibere , quam per severiorem ecclesiasticae disciplinae rigorem ad desperationem inopes adducere cupimus, dictos incolas specialibus gratiis , et favoribus prosequi volantes , et eofura singulares personas a quibusvis excommunicationis , et interdicti , aliisque ecclesiasticis censuris, sententijs, et poenis quovis modo , et quacumque de causa latis , /si quas forte incurrerint, hujus tantum fei gratia absolventes^ et absolutos fore censentes , hujusmodi supplicationibus inclinati , fraternitati tu» per praesentes committimus, et mandamus, ut yeris existentibus narratis ? omnibus ptriusque sexus Christifidefi})us earumdem civitatis , et dicsr.esis Senogalli ensis exigentibus , ut deinceps excep^s • omnibus diebus dominicis , nec non Natalis Domini Nostri Jesu Christi , et sequenti sancti Stephani , Circumcisionis, Epiphaniae , Panchaiis Resurrectiones, et sequenti, Pentecostes, et sequenti , ac Corporis Christi , et Ascensionis, sancti Joapn»» Baptistae , sancti Joseph, ac sanotorum Petri , et Pauli , et Jaco* bi apostolorum , et commemorationis omnium sanctorum , prreterea quinque dicatis beatae Mari» Virgini Immacutatae , scilicet Puriticationis, Annuntiationis , Assumptionis, Nativitatis, et Conceptionis , nec non sancti patroni , aut tut,eiuris cuji&libct loci pro bo* minibus ejusdem loci dumtaxat, festi*» vis diebus, in quibus integra maneat praecepti obligatio , in reliquis vero festis, sjre per Jianc sanctam Sedem pneceptis , sire per synodales earumdem civitatis , et direcesis constitutiones, sive 'quacumque alia de causa , etiam ex causa yoti per imjores suos facti, quod quoad hanc partem quoque aucto rita- , te Nostra apostolica per te commutari volumus , praeceptis , praescriptisque , audita missa , laboriosis suarum artium exercitationibus , servilihusque operibus, sine pilo prorsus conscientia: scrupulo vacare possint, auctoritate Nostra apostolica concedas , et indulgeas , permittas, ac statuas, preeeipias, et mandes. $. 4. Non obstantibus apostolic s , n*ro5*t.ae*%t ac in nniversaiibus , provincialibusque, et synodalibns conciliis editis generalibus, vel speejalibus cpn^huRonibus, et ordinationibus » nec non civitatis, et dioecesis prcedictarum, illorumque locorum etiam juramento , confirmatione apostolica , vel quavis firmitate alia roboratis statutis , et consuetudinibus ; privilegiis quoque, induitis, et literis apostolicis superioribus , et personis sub quibuscumque tenoribus, et formis, ac cnra quibusvis etiam derogatoriarum derogatoriis , aliisque efficaci oribus, cfficacissimis , ac insolitis clausulis, irritantibusquo , et 'aliis deOrells in genere, vel in specie, ac in aliis in con^ trarium quomodolibet concessis, approbatis , et innovatis. Quibus omnibus et singulis illorum tenores praesentibus pro plene , et sufficienter expressis, ac de verbo ad verbum in6dttis habentes, illis alias in suo robore permansuris , ad praemissorum effectum hac vice dumtaxat specialiter, ex expresse derogamus, cstterisque contrariis quibuscum-* que. Datum Uom» apud sanctum Pfc* trum sub armulo piscatoris die sexta februarii millesimo septingentesimo ocina*» gesimo quarto, pontificatus Nostri aiiqq nono* ,

Bullarii Romani continuatio Summorum Pontificum Clementis 13., Clementis 14., Pii 6., Pii 7., Leonis 12. et Pii 8. dal v. 11 ..., Pii 8. et Gregorii 16. constitutiones, literas in forma brevis, epistolas ad principes viros, et alios, atque allocutiones poi anche alloquutiones complectens quas collegit dal v. 11 al v. 17 usque ad (1843) — Internet Archive OCR text, lightly cleaned (hyphenation and running heads); OCR errors of the source remain. Source: Internet Archive.

Italian text

Pio PP. VI
Ad perpetuam rei memoriam

1 § 1. Commissa Nobis divinitus Pastorum ecclesiarum omnium sollicitudo postulat, utque a praedecessoribus Nostris vel instituta, vel incoepta sunt ad orthodoxae religionis uberiorem progressum, praesidium, et decus, libenter confirmare, servareque conemar, et quantum in Domino possumus, ad optatum exitum, perfectionemque deducamus. Cum itaque sicut ex indubiis monumentis accepimus venerabiles fratres Nostri Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae cardinales negotiis propagandae fidei propositi usque ab anno MDCCXVIII, ac iocundis instantibus alumnis collegii Graecorum Corsini de urbe, nimque piis viris, ac religiosis, in animum habuerint consulere spiritualibus indigentiis Italo-Graecorum, seu Albanensium, quorum maxima copia est in regnis utrimque Siciliae, et in Calabria praesertim, titularem ibi archiepiscopum, seu episcopum iis in locis constituere, qui nonnullis abusibus in Graecum ritum invectis salutaria compararet remedia, omniaque ad pristinum nitorem constitueret, cosdemque Italo-Graecos, seu Albanenses Graecarum literarum, sacrarumque caeremoniarum proprii ritus omnino expertes instrueret, et ad sacros ordines promoveret. Cum proinde fel. rec. Clemens pp. XII. praedecessor Noster in Bisignianesi dioecesi seminarium, seu collegium ecclesiasticum Corsini nuper nominatum pro certo puerorum Italo-Graecorum in illo instruendorum, et alendorum numero perpetuo erexerit, dotaveritque. Eiusdem collegii regimen, et administrationem perpetuo eidem antistiti Graeci ritus in partibus infidelium, quibusdam praeterea tributis facultatibus, ilisque inter caeteras, cum ut antistes praedicti collegii praeses pro tempore existens in eiusdem collegii ecclesia omnia, et singula pontificalia exercere posset, et ad sacros ordines promovere non tam dicti collegii alumnos, quam alias quoscumque Italo-Graecos utriusque regni Siciliae, citra, et ultra Pharum incolas, prout in decretis praedictarum venerabilium fratrum Nostrorum die xxiii. decembris, et iv. februarii MDCCXXXV. ab eodem Clemente praedecessore Nostro confirmatis duabus apostolicis literis in forma Brevis, niteris sub datum iv. idus iunii MDCCXXXV. incipientibus «Superna dispositione» alteris sub datum pridie kalendas aprilis MDCCXXXVI. incipientibus «Provida pastoralem officii» latius, uberiusque continetur.

2 § 4. Cum autem praecipua ratio, qua laudatos fratres venerabiles fratres Nostros, eumdemque fel. rec. pontificem Clementem praedecessorem Nostrum impulit, ut antistiti Graeci ritus pro Pharum.

3 «•Nel presidente del memorato collegio in quella stessa diocesi Bisignanese così eletto e costituito, subito concedesse la facoltà espressa per tutti gli Italo Greci in entrambe le Sicilie dimoranti, in questo si provvedesse, affinché i giovani della stirpe Italo Greca di questo genere per i detti sacri ordini ricevendo non dovessero sopportare ulteriormente gli inconvenienti e le spese, accedendo alla Nostra città, e ivi dal vescovo del rito greco a ciò incaricato dalla santa Sede ricevessero gli stessi ordini secondo la pratica osservata fino a quel tempo, e secondo la forma della costituzione del fe. rec. pp. Urbano VIII, predecessore parimenti Nostro emanata su questo, alla quale quanto a ciò Clemente suddetto XII espressamente e specialmente derogò, restava, che come mediante la deputazione di questo greco antistite nella diocesi Bisignanese perpetuamente residente si era provveduto al comodo e all'emolumento dei Greci dimoranti in Calabria, così pure mediante la deputazione di un altro antistite titolare dello stesso rito greco, che in Sicilia oltre lo Stretto dimorando potesse conferire i sacri ordini agli Italo Greci abitatori di quella isola con lettere dimissorie dei loro rispettivi ordinari, di coloro che nel medesimo regno di Sicilia e isola dimoravano, e malvolentieri dovevano intraprendere per ricevere i sacri ordini un lungo e faticoso viaggio accedendo, o a questa Nostra città, o alla diocesi Bisignanese, dove da lungo tempo dimora l'antistite del rito greco ardentemente desideravano, ciò recentemente hanno conseguito per la pietà e munificenza del carissimo in Cristo Figlio Nostro Ferdinando di entrambe le Sicilie re, il quale affinché più facilmente da Noi ottenesse la deputazione di un altro antistite titolare del rito greco in Sicilia oltre lo Stretto perpetuamente dimorante, ivi conferitore dei sacri ordini agli uomini dello stesso rito abitatori di quella isola con lettere dimissorie dei rispettivi ordinari, pregò che al medesimo antistite per il tempo esistente per il suo conveniente sostentamento secondo l'esigenza della dignità pontificale, l'abbazia di santa Maria di Gala del suo regio patronato perpetuamente assegnassimo, la quale ora possiede il diletto figlio Pietro Petrusanta in commenda per sua vita da nomina regia, e non meno da concessione e dispensa apostoliche al predetto antistite del rito greco, come si è detto, deputando, finché la medesima abbazia venisse a vacarsi l'amministrazione e i redditi della vacante beneficio di san Pancrazio del rito latino nel frattempo da Noi potessero assegnarsi.»

4 Pias PF. Sextus in § 5. Noi dunque, che vogliamo tanto ossequiare la piissima volontà del predetto re, quanto risparmiare ai diletti figli Italo Greci dimoranti nel medesimo regno i molteplici inconvenienti e le spese finora sopportati per il difetto di un antistite del rito greco residente in Sicilia oltre lo Stretto per essere iniziati ai sacri ordini, di moto proprio, e avuto anche il consiglio dei venerabili fratelli Nostri della santa Romana Chiesa cardinali, alla predetta congregazione di Propaganda fide dal diletto figlio Stefano Borgia della medesima congregazione segretario presentato, un antistite del rito greco nelle parti dei miscredenti, che presso la chiesa a lui commessa non potendo per la tirannia empia degli stessi miscredenti personalmente dimorare, nel regno di Sicilia oltre lo Stretto dimori, e ivi agli Italo Greci dello stesso regno abitanti, esibendogli lettere dimissorie dei loro rispettivi ordinari, i sacri ordini nella chiesa di san Demetrio del luogo volgarmente della Piana della diocesi Palermitana senza alcuna licenza dell'ordinario del medesimo luogo, cioè del Palermitano, in altre chiese poi tanto della Palermitana quanto di altre diocesi con licenza degli ordinari conferisca, e altre funzioni ecclesiastiche del rito greco compia, mediante il tenore del presente perpetuamente costituiamo e deputiamo, e al medesimo antistite per il tempo esistente, e dallo stesso carissimo in Cristo Figlio Nostro Ferdinando di entrambe le Sicilie e suoi successori nominando in virtù del suo regio patronato la suddetta abbazia di santa Maria di Gala nella diocesi Messinese, la quale al presente in commenda possiede il diletto figlio Pietro Petrusanta, quando venisse a vacarsi, allora perpetuamente assegniamo, e nel frattempo l'amministrazione e la percezione dei frutti della vacante beneficio di san Pancrazio del rito latino, e del regio patronato, con i quali finché la predetta abbazia venisse a vacarsi possa sostentarsi, e propria dignità tutelare, accedente il regio consenso, indulgendo e condonando tutte quelle facoltà concediamo e impartiamo quanto ai sacri ordini degli Italo Greci del regno di Sicilia oltre lo Stretto, le quali il fe. rec. Clemente pp. XII concesse all'antistite del rito greco nel seminario Corsino da lui eretto in Calabria dimorante nelle sue sopra citate lettere apostoliche in forma di Breve, alle quali quanto ai soli ordini degli Italo Greci del regno di Sicilia oltre lo Stretto mediante questa Nostra perpetuamente valida costituzione espressamente e specialmente deroghiamo; alle medesime lettere apostoliche quanto al resto nel loro vigore permanendo.

5 § 6. Non obstantibus constitutionibus, et ordinationibus apostolicis, eaeque, quae in praefatis Clementinis literis non obstate fuit decretum. Dato a Roma presso san Pietro sotto l'anello del pescatore il 6 febbraio millesimo settingentesimo ottantaquattro, del Nostro pontificato l'anno nono.

6 CDLXXVI.

7 § 6. Iminuzione festorum in civitate et dioecesi Scnogalliensi.

8 Venerabili fratri episcopo Scnogalliensi.

9 Pius PP. VI

10 Venerabilis frater, salutem et apostolicam benedictionem. Dum sicut quaedam sunt, ut inquit sanctus Leo Magnus praedecessor Noster, quae nulla possunt ratione convelli, ita mulla sint, quae aut pro consideratione aetatum, aut pro necessitate rerum oporteat temperari, illa semper conditione servata, ut in his, quae vel dubia fuerint, aut obscura, id sequendum, quod nec praeceptis evangelicis contrarium, nec decretis sanctorum Patrum inveniatur adversum; ea propter apostolica haec sancta Sedes pro paterna erga universos Christifideles benignitate, quoad integrum sibi fuit, consuevit supremam suam in iis auctoritatem interponere, quae ceteroquin ad majus divini cultus incrementum praescripta, aut per frigescentem in nonnullorum cordibus charitatem ad otium, luxuriamque convertuntur, aut ob rerum ad vitam traducendam necessariarum inopiam, non sine conscientiae angore contemnuntur. § 2. Quoniam autem, sicut pro parte tua Nobis expositum fuit, eidem fraternitati tuae innotuit, quod in civitate et dioecesi Scnogalliensi adeo excreverunt calamitates et angustiae propter praesentium temporum infortunia, ut miseri illarum habitatores, incolaeque, ac praesertim ii, qui in sudore vultus sui panem comedunt, persaepe cogantur (quamvis animo invito) dies festos neglegere, operibusque mechanicis se se addiscere pro pane lucrando, et eo facilius contigit ob excretum dierum festorum numerum; ac propterea Nobis humiliter supplicatum fuit, ut in promissis opportune providere, et ut infra indulgere de benignitate apostolica dignaremur.

11 S- 5- Wp» ftaqiie , quj Chriitifidcsie«if libus, qgantum cum Domino possumus , salutare remedium potius ad ?etemam salutem comparandam , et humanam vitam honeste subsistendam adhibere , quam per severiorem ecclesiasticae disciplinae rigorem ad desperationem inopes adducere cupimus, dictos incolas specialibus gratiis , et favoribus prosequi volantes , et eofura singulares personas a quibusvis excommunicationis , et interdicti , aliisque ecclesiasticis censuris, sententijs, et poenis quovis modo , et quacumque de causa latis , /si quas forte incurrerint, hujus tantum fei gratia absolventes^ et absolutos fore censentes , hujusmodi supplicationibus inclinati , fraternitati tu» per praesentes committimus, et mandamus, ut yeris existentibus narratis ? omnibus ptriusque sexus Christifidefi}}us earumdem civitatis , et dicsr.esis Senogalli ensis exigentibus , ut deinceps excep^s • omnibus diebus dominicis , nec non Natalis Domini Nostri Jesu Christi , et sequenti sancti Stephani , Circumcisionis, Epiphaniae , Panchaiis Resurrectiones, et sequenti, Pentecostes, et sequenti , ac Corporis Christi , et Ascensionis, sancti Joapn»» Baptistae , sancti Joseph, ac sanotorum Petri , et Pauli , et Jaco* bi apostolorum , et commemorationis omnium sanctorum , prreterea quinque dicatis beatae Mari» Virgini Immacutatae , scilicet Puriticationis, Annuntiationis , Assumptionis, Nativitatis, et Conceptionis , nec non sancti patroni , aut tut,eiuris cuji&libct loci pro bo* minibus ejusdem loci dumtaxat, festi*» vis diebus, in quibus integra maneat praecepti obligatio , in reliquis vero festis, sjre per Jianc sanctam Sedem pneceptis , sire per synodales earumdem civitatis , et direcesis constitutiones, sive 'quacumque alia de causa , etiam ex causa yoti per imjores suos facti, quod quoad hanc partem quoque aucto rita- , te Nostra apostolica per te commutari volumus , praeceptis , praescriptisque , audita missa , laboriosis suarum artium exercitationibus , servilihusque operibus, sine pilo prorsus conscientia: scrupulo vacare possint, auctoritate Nostra apostolica concedas , et indulgeas , permittas, ac statuas, preeeipias, et mandes. $. 4. Non obstantibus apostolic s , n*ro5*t.ae*%t ac in nniversaiibus , provincialibusque, et synodalibns conciliis editis generalibus, vel speejalibus cpn^huRonibus, et ordinationibus » nec non civitatis, et dioecesis prcedictarum, illorumque locorum etiam juramento , confirmatione apostolica , vel quavis firmitate alia roboratis statutis , et consuetudinibus ; privilegiis quoque, induitis, et literis apostolicis superioribus , et personis sub quibuscumque tenoribus, et formis, ac cnra quibusvis etiam derogatoriarum derogatoriis , aliisque efficaci oribus, cfficacissimis , ac insolitis clausulis, irritantibusquo , et 'aliis deOrells in genere, vel in specie, ac in aliis in con^ trarium quomodolibet concessis, approbatis , et innovatis. Quibus omnibus et singulis illorum tenores praesentibus pro plene , et sufficienter expressis, ac de verbo ad verbum in6dttis habentes, illis alias in suo robore permansuris , ad praemissorum effectum hac vice dumtaxat specialiter, ex expresse derogamus, cstterisque contrariis quibuscum-* que. Dato a Roma presso san Pietro sotto l'anello del Pescatore il 6 febbraio 1784, del Nostro pontificato l'anno nono.

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