A.D. 1179. DECREES OP POPE ALEXANDER. Of Churches that have been hid under an interdict, and tlie burial of those under interdict. " Inasmuch as it is our bounden duty both to plant the sacred religion, and when planted in every way to cherish it, we can never attempt the same to better purpose, than if we consider that it has been entrusted to us by the authority of God, to foster that which is right, and to correct that which impedes the progress of the truth. "Wherefore, in consequence of the strong complaints of our brethren and Our fellow-bishops, we have understood that the brethren of the Temple and of the Hospital, as well as others of the religious profession, exceeding the privileges with which they have been indulged by the Apostolic See, presume to do many things which both tend to scandal among the people of God, and produce grievous evil to souls. For they have purposed to receive churches from the hands of laymen; they admit persons excommunicated and under interdict to the Sacraments of the Church, and allow burial in their churches, contrary to good conscience, and institute and remove priests at their pleasure. And whereas the indulgence has been granted to their brethren when going to seek alms, that upon their arrival such churches4 3 may be opened once in a year, and Divine service performed therein, as we have heard, several of them have frequently come from one or more of their houses to a place under interdict, and have abused the indulgence of their privileges by performing service therein, and then presuming to bury the dead in the churches aforesaid. And further, by means of the fraternities which in many places they establish, they sap the strength of the episcopal authority, while, in contravention of the sentences of the bishops, under the pretext of some of their own privileges, they strive to screen all those who are ready to join their fraternity. And whereas we have thought proper to make these declarations not so much with reference to the conscience or design of the higher authorities among them, as to the fact that some of those of a lower grade have exceeded what in discretion they ought to observe, for the purpose of removing those matters in which they are guilty of excess, and which tend to cause doubts ; we do therefore forbid both them and all other religious whatsoever, 4 3 Laid under interdict. VOL. I. L L