The Presbyters Project

[Capitulum secundum cod. R] V. Si clericus relicto officii sui ordinem laicam voluerit agere uitam.

[Capitulum secundum codd. A, Q, et S] V. De clericis qui laicam uitam agent.

Si quis uero clericus, relicto officii sui ordine, laicam uoluerit agere uitam, uel se militiae tradiderit, excommunicationis poena feriatur.

(ed. Munier 1963: 145, 149)

[Title according to cod. R] V. If a cleric after leaving the order of his office would like to live his life as a layman.

[Title according to codd. A, Q, and S] V. On clerics who live life as a laymen.

If, indeed, a cleric after leaving the order of his office would like to live his life as a layman, or enter military or civic service (militia), he will be struck with the punishment of excommunication.

(trans. J. Szafranowski)

Discussion:

In the context of this canon, the term militia could mean both military or civic service.

Place of event:

Region

Gaul

City

Tours

About the source:

Title: First Council of Tours, Concilium Turonense I anno 461
Origin: Tours (Gaul)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

The council of Tours of AD 461 took place on the 18th of November of 461, when some bishops had gathered in Tours to celebrate the feast of St. Martin the week earlier. The canons were signed by eight bishops, including one described as "of the Britons", and one presbyter acting in his bishop`s stead. Characteristic of the acts of this synod is the frequent quoting of the Holy Scriptures.

Edition:

Ch. Munier ed., Concilia Galliae a. 314-a. 506, Corpus Christianorum. Series Latina 148, Turnhoult 1963.

Categories:

Described by a title - Clericus

Public functions and offices after ordination - Civic office

Public functions and offices after ordination - Military activity

Public law - Ecclesiastical

Further ecclesiastical career - None

Further ecclesiastical career - Lay status

Administration of justice - Ecclesiastical

Administration of justice - Excommunication/Anathema

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: J. Szafranowski, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER823, http://presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=823