Being aware of an abuse which exists in this Royal City We have thought it proper to correct it by a general law, which We make applicable to this Most Fortunate City, as well as to all the provinces of Our Empire. Certain persons, desiring to corrupt the purity of the orthodox faith, bring suit before civil judges whenever they have any controversies with monks or hermits, and these judges despatch executive officers, who venture to penetrate into holy places, remove monks by force, annoy the inmates of monasteries, ascetics, and even nuns who have entirely withdrawn from the world; and, in consequence of this, great injury and confusion are caused in religious establishments.

  Therefore We decree that when anyone is engaged in litigation with a venerated ecclesiastic, a holy virgin, or nun actually resident in a monastery, he must notify the reverend Bishop of the City. The ecclesiastic with whom he has the controversy shall be sent for, and must appear, and state his ground of defence, as decorously as possible, by means of an abbot, a responsal, or any other person whomsoever; and the bishop shall hear and examine the case with all due sacerdotal dignity, and absolutely without the assistance of civil judges, for the bishops of every city are qualified to decide honorably and sacerdotally, in accordance with Our laws and the rules of the Church, when legal proceedings are instituted against monks. For in this way those who think that they have good cause to proceed shall obtain justice, and the respect due to sacred things shall remain intact and inviolate.

  Litigation in which monks are involved shall be speedily disposed of. This law is of general application, and its enforcement shall be committed to the Most Glorious Prefects having jurisdiction in all dioceses, namely: those of Illyria, Italy, the entire West and those of both Romes, as well as by the Most Glorious Praetors of the People, and the magistrates of the provinces, with their subordinates; and it shall not be evaded in any way but must be observed unchanged for the honor of the most reverend monks. As soon as Your Holiness is informed of its enactment, you will cause it to be obeyed in this Most Fortunate City and its environs, and, by means of suitable letters, will communicate it to the metropolitans of the cities (from whom you yourself have received ordination), and the latter will notify all the bishops subject to their jurisdiction; so that, by means of few notices, this law may be transmitted to every portion of Our dominions. We direct that all lawsuits in which monks are interested shall be quickly terminated, in order that their minds may not be occupied by the cares of litigation, but may be speedily freed from them, and they be enabled to resume their sacred duties.

  Those who do anything contrary to these provisions are hereby notified that when a judge has presumed to render such a decision, he shall be deprived of his office, as having been guilty of an insult to Divinity, and shall, with his subordinates, be fined ten pounds of gold, to be paid into Our Imperial Treasury; and if any executive officers should attempt to serve an illegal notice, they shall be prevented from doing so, shall be detained in the places called decaneta, be subjected to suitable punishment, and not be permitted hereafter to perform their official functions.

  This law shall be applicable where anyone has a case against a most reverend monk, virgin, or nun residing in any venerated monastery. We have already enacted laws concerning members of the clergy stating the manner in which they may be sued, and these We desire to remain valid and unaltered under all circumstances. A copy of this constitution has been addressed to John, Illustrious Praetorian Prefect of the East, twice Consul and Patrician; and another to Basilides, Most Glorious Master of the Imperial Offices; and still another to Longinus, Most Glorious Urban Prefect.