Folia Theologica et Canonica 7. 29/21 (2018)
Ius canonicum
304 SZABOLCS ANZELM SZUROMI, O.Praem. education of the clergy from the 3rd Century. This education included the knowledge of Holy Scripture; reading the theological writings, learning the dogmas and the fundamental ecclesiastical disciplines. The Council of Nicaea (325) dealt with the problem concerning persons who received the degree of presbyterate or episcopate shortly after their conversion. The preparation (studies and introduction into the daily Christian life) for the clerical offices is desirable in the teaching of Council of Nicaea.21 The first Ecumenical Council prescribed clearly that before receiving the clerical state the ordinandi did has to be prepared through sufficient studies and suitable experience on the Christian life for his future service. The Council underlines in canon 9 that before receiving the Holy Order is necessary a profound examination of the ordinandi, who did must confess his sins, moreover anything what he had possible done against any ecclesiastical disciplinary rule, and he also had to promise the defense the Catholic faith with his full capacity. The more detailed contemporary requirements on the personal conditions of the ordinandi can be collected from different canonical sources. Based on canon 3 of the Council of Nimes (October I'1 396) for the ordination of sacred ministry the archpresbyter - who was responsible for selection and instruction of those who had capability for the sacred services (i.e. Leo the Great, Letter 11, c. 2) - had to be asked by the bishop regarding the ordinandi, who did has to be a prudent man, proven in knowledge of divine law (in that time it meant morality) and the ecclesiastical life. He did must come from a decent family, fulfilled the proper age, to be diligent, educated, well literate, and firm in the orthodox faith (mans: the authentic Christian faith inherited from the Apostles), who is ready to accept the gifts (donum) of the Holy Spirit. It is also important that the applicant had to like to receive the degree of the Holy Order itself to fulfill the grace which calls him, and his will did not must be under influence of ambition.22 St. Augustine listed those books which had to be familiar for a priest: the sacramentary, the lectionary, the antiphonary, the penitential book, the Psalter, as well as the collection of homilies for Sundays and feast days. Seditious, or usurious and unjust person could not be clerics, based on the regulation of the Council of Carthage (418. called 21 Can. 2: Quoniam plura, aut per necessitatem aut alias cogentibus hominibus adversus ecclesiasticam facta sunt regulam, ut homines ex gentili vita nuper accedentes ad fidem et instructos brevi temporis intervallo mox ad lavacrum spirtale perducerent, similique ut baptizati sunt, ad episcopatum vel presbyterium promoverent: optime placuit nihil tale de reliquo fieri. Nam et tempore opus est ei qui catecizatur, et post baptismum probatione quam plurima. Manifesta est enim apostolica scriptura, quae dicit: non neophytum, ne in superbiam elatus in iudicium incidat et laqueum diabuli. Si vero processu temporis aliquod animae delictum circa personam reperialur huiusmodi et duobus vel tribus testibus arguatur: a clero talis abstineat. Si quis autem praeter haec fecerit, quasi contra magnum concilium sese efferens, ipse de clericatus honore pereclitabitur.” Conciliorum Oecumenicorum Decreta, Bologna 1973.1 (Hereafter: COD) 6; cf. Com. Laodicea, Can. 3: Joannou, P. P. (ed.), Les Canons des Synodes Particuliers, 131. 22 Gaudemet, J., Conciles Gaulois du IVe siede (Sources chrétiennes 241), Paris 2008. 126-131.
