Letter 23

From: [Lombard bishop/abbot] To: [regional clergy] Date: ~645 AD Context: A letter about church property rights and the difficulty of maintaining clear boundaries between church and secular claims. To the beloved clergy of this province. The question of church property has become urgent again, and I want to address it in a way that will be practically useful. The fundamental principle: property given to the church for pious purposes — for the support of clergy, the care of the poor, the maintenance of a religious community — may not be recovered by secular authority or by heirs of the original donor. This principle was established by the councils and it stands. The practical problem: the documentation for many of these gifts is now old and sometimes incomplete. The original donors are long dead. The circumstances under which gifts were made have changed. And there are always secular parties who see an opportunity in ambiguous documentation. My advice: organize your records now, while the situation is manageable. Every piece of church property should have clear documentation of how it was acquired, when, and under what conditions. This documentation should be preserved in multiple copies in multiple locations. Beyond documentation: build relationships with the secular authorities in your area on a basis of genuine mutual service. The church that is known for caring for the poor, maintaining the roads near its properties, providing hospitality to travelers, and dealing honestly in its affairs is a church that will find secular authority more willing to protect its property rights. The church that is known only for defending its legal position will find its legal position much harder to defend. In Christ's service.