As rules relating to candidates for the priesthood have been established in a proper manner from the beginning, those who observe the customs of the present time do not (in My judgment) act as they should when they despise ecclesiastical tradition; for while it directs that those who are to be ordained priests shall promise to always live in celibacy, if they think they can fulfill this promise, or, indeed, when they fear that they will violate it, they must marry first, and then receive ordination, the custom prevailing at present, on the contrary, requires that they be ordained before marriage, and permits them to marry for two years afterwards. But as all this seems to Us to be improper, We order that, hereafter, ordination shall be conferred in accordance with the ancient regulations of the Church, which have been handed down to Us by tradition; for it is dishonorable for those who are exalted by spiritual feeling, above the abject and base conditions of the body, to again yield to the vile temptations of the flesh; and, on the other hand, it is much better that they should be raised to this high rank in order to avoid the effects of the degrading carnal passions.