Rules concerning the Venerated Church, etc. The churches of Africa shall be entitled to the property of which they were deprived by the Arians, and shall recover it without being interfered with by anyone, but they must pay any public or private claims that may be due. A heretic shall not confer the rite of baptism, or discharge the duties of a public office, and a catechumen shall not circumcise anyone. No heretic shall, under any circumstances, have a house of worship, or a place of prayer. The Carthaginian Church shall enjoy all the privileges granted by the Code to other churches in general. Anyone who takes refuge in a Carthaginian church shall be immune from arrest, unless he has committed homicide, the rape of a virgin, or has been guilty of violence towards a Christian. No one shall take from the churches of Africa any objects which have been donated by persons in gratitude for their restoration to health. This rule shall be generally observed with reference to all churches.