Letter 9

From: [Visigothic Church officials assembled in council] To: [Visigothic Church and Crown] Date: ~598 AD Context: Epistulae Wisigothicae letter 9; a synodal letter from a regional council in the Visigothic church, issuing canons on liturgical practice and clerical discipline. From the bishops assembled in the name of Christ, to our brothers in the faith and to our lord the king, We who have gathered in the name of the Lord to address the needs of the church in this kingdom issue the following canons, which we commend to the authority of the crown for promulgation and enforcement. On the matter of the liturgy: the variations in liturgical practice that persist in different parts of the kingdom are a source of confusion and, in some cases, of theological error. We direct that the liturgy as established by the council and as practiced in the major sees be followed in all churches, and that priests who introduce unauthorized variations be corrected by their bishops. On the matter of clerical conduct: we reaffirm the canons of previous councils regarding the obligations of the clergy. Priests who keep women in their households in ways that give rise to scandal are to be corrected and, if they do not amend, removed from ministry. Priests who are habitually absent from their parishes without authorization are similarly to be corrected. On the matter of tithes: the obligation of the faithful to support the church through tithes is to be preached consistently and the tithes collected according to the established schedules. We commend these canons to the mercy of God and the authority of our lord the king. The bishops assembled in council