1451[–2]. Prid. Id. Feb. (12 Feb.) St. Peter's, Rome. (f. 54d.) |
To Cornelius, bishop of Achonry (Akaden.). Absolution etc., as below. The present pope lately made him provision of the church of Achonry, on its voidance by the death of Thady without the Roman court, after which, as his recent petition contained, he had himself consecrated in the said court, obtained possession of the said church in virtue of the said provision, has laudably ruled it for more than a year and has striven to recover its goods, but certain laymen and clerks, whom he has tried to compel to restore divers of its goods and rights, have, in order to remain in occupation of the said goods, objected that he is not the canonical bishop, and cannot therefore demand them back, especially because in the said letters of provision there is no mention of the provision made by Eugenius IV to [the late] James
[Cal. Lett., IX, p. 299], and of the fact that bishop James, after such provision, absented himself for more than eight years, and was ignorant of the language spoken in the city and diocese, although the said absence and ignorance were mentioned in the report made to the pope, on the occasion of bishop Cornelius's promotion, by John, cardinal priest of St. Pudenziana's: wherefore he fears lest, by reason of his having obtained possession of the said church etc. and acted as bishop, conferring orders etc., he has incurred sentences of excommunication, suspension and interdict, and become disabled to hold the said church. The pope therefore absolves him ad cautelam from all such sentences etc., dispenses him on account of irregularity, rehabilitates him, and grants that the said letters of provision and their consequences hold good, as if the said mention of bishop James etc. had been made, and makes provision to him anew of the said church, whether it became void as above, or by the death of the said Thady or James, or in any other way. Personam tuam. (A. de Florentia. | xxxv. Ja. de Viterbio. C. de Branis [or Brauis].) [In the margin: Fe(bruarii). 2 pp.] |