As We intend to make many additions to Our laws, We have thought it proper to address this constitution to Your Holiness. The clerks ordained by Your Reverence in the most holy churches (from which, however, the Most Holy Principal Church is excepted) are subjected to the most cruel exactions of all, for We have ascertained from frequent complaints made to Us on the subject that they are not permitted to receive their churches before they pay into them certain sums of money by way of contributions.

  Therefore We order that Your Holiness shall diligently inquire whether it is customary for those who are ordained in the Most Holy Principal Church to contribute in this manner, and if it is, they shall continue to do so, for We do not change anything where payments are made in this way in the Most Holy Principal Church. But, so far as all other churches are concerned, no ecclesiastic shall collect anything whatever from a member of the clergy under the pretext of admission fees. If an act of this kind should be committed, the culprit shall be expelled from the priesthood, and he whom he imposed upon shall obtain his place, for this shall be the reward of his avarice, and the defenders of the Most Holy Principal Church must obey what We have prescribed, under the penalty of ten pounds of gold, if they fail to comply with the provisions of this law, and they shall perform all their functions gratuitously, for We do not wish clerical services to be subject to sale, or be done for reward, but honorably and without compensation. In this way ecclesiastical duties, not being purchasable, will be more worthily discharged.

  Therefore Your Holiness, together with those who may subsequently occupy Pontifical Sees, will hasten to carry into effect the matters promulgated by Us in this law.