POPE GREGORY VII
(
HILDEBRAND)
DICTATUS PAPAE
1075
 

  Henry IV and Gregory VII at Canossa


Latin text: Hofmann, Karl, ed. Der “Dictatus papae” Gregors VII. Eine rechtsgeschichtliche Erklärung von Dr. Theol. Karl Hofmann. Paderborn: Ferdinand Schöningh, 1933. Pp. 202-208.


 

 

 

 

   1. The Roman Church was founded by God alone.

I. Quod Romana ecclesia a solo Domino sit fundata.

 

 

 

 

  2. The Roman Pontiff alone can with right be called “Universal”.

II. Quod solus Romanus pontifex iure dicatur universalis.

 

 

 

 

  3. He alone can depose or reinstate bishops.

III. Quod ille solus possit deponere episcopos vel reconciliare.

 

 

 

 

  4. In council, his Legate, even if a lower grade, is above all bishops and can pass sentence of deposition against them.

IV. Quod legatus eius omnibus episcopis presit in concilio etiam inferioris gradus et adversus eos sententiam depositionis possit dare.

 

 

 

 

  5. The Pope may depose those absent [i.e. from their sees].

V. Quod absentes papa possit deponere.

 

 

 

 

  6. Among other things, we ought not to remain in the same house with those excommunicated by him.

VI. Quod cum excommunicatis ab illo inter cetera nec in eadem domo debemus manere.

 

 

 

 

  7. For him alone is it lawful, according to the needs of the time, to make new laws, to assemble together new congregations, to make an abbey of a canonry, and, on the other hand, to divide a rich bishopric and unite the poor ones.

VII.Quod illi soli licet pro temporis necessitate novas leges condere, novas plebes congregare, de canonica abbatiam facere et e contra, divitem episcopatum dividere et inopes unire.

 

 

 

 

  8. He alone may use the Imperial Insignia.

VIII.Quod solus possit uti imperialibus insigniis.

 

 

 

 

  9. All princes shall kiss the feet of the Pope alone.

VIIII.Quod solius papae pedes omnes principes deosculentur.

 

 

 

 

10. His name alone shall be spoken in the churches.

X. Quod illius solius nomen in ecclesiis recitetur.

 

 

 

 

11. This is the only name in the world.

XI. Quod hoc unicum est nomen in mundo.

 

 

 

 

12. It may be permitted to him to depose emperors.

XII. Quod illi liceat imperatores deponere.

 

 

 

 

13. It may be permitted to him to transfer bishops, if need be.

XIII. Quod illi liceat de sede ad sedem necessitate cogente episcopos transmutare.

 

 

 

 

14. He has the power to ordain the cleric of any parish he wishes.

XIIII. Quod de omni ecclesia quocunque voluerit clericum valeat ordinare.

 

 

 

 

15. He who is ordained by the Pope may preside over another church, but may not hold a subordinate position. Such a person may not receive a higher clerical grade from any other bishop.

XV. Quod ab illo ordinatus alii ecclesiae preesse potest, sed non militare; et quod ab aliquo episcopo non debet superiorem gradum accipere.

 

 

 

 

16. No synod shall be called a “General [Synod]” without his order.

XVI.Quod nulla synodus absque precepto eius debet generalis vocari.

 

 

 

 

17. No chapter and no book shall be considered canonical without his authority.

XVII. Quod nullum capitulum nullusque liber canonicus habeatur absque illius auctoritate.

 

 

 

 

18. A sentence passed by him may be revoked by no one. He alone may revoke it.

XVIII. Quod sententia illius a nullo debeat retractari et ipse omnium solus retractare possit.

 

 

 

 

19. He himself may be judged by no one.

XVIIII. Quod a nemine ipse iudicari debeat.

 

 

 

 

20. No one shall dare to condemn any person who appeals to the Apostolic See.

XX. Quod nullus audeat condemnare apostolicam sedem apellantem.

 

 

 

 

21. The more important cases of every church should be referred to [the Apostolic See].

XXI. Quod maiores causae cuiuscunque ecclesiae ad eam referri debeant.

 

 

 

 

22. The Roman Church has never erred. Nor will it err, to all eternity ─ Scripture being witness.

XXII. Quod Romana ecclesia nunquam erravit nec imperpetuum scriptura testante errabit.

 

 

 

 

23. The Roman Pontiff, if he has been canonically ordained, is undoubtedly made a saint by the merits of St. Peter, St. Ennodius Bishop of Pavia bearing witness, and many holy fathers agreeing with him, As contained in the decrees of blessed Pope Symmachus.

XXIII. Quod Romanus pontifex, si canonicae [sic] fuerit ordinatus, meritis beati Petri indubitanter efficitur sanctus testante sancto Ennodio Papiensi episcopo ei multis sanctis patribus faventibus, sicut in decretis beati Symachi pape continetur.

 

 

 

 

24. By his command and consent, it may be lawful for subordinates to bring accusations.

XXIIII. Quod illius precepto et licentia subiectis liceat accusare.

 

 

 

 

25. He may depose and reinstate bishops without calling a Synod.

XXV. Quod absque synodali conventu possit episcopos deponere et reconciliare.

 

 

 

 

26. He who does not agree with the Roman Church is not to be be regarded as “catholic”.

XXVI. Quod catholicus non habeatur, qui non concordat Romanae ecclesiae.

 

 

 

 

27. He may absolve subjects from their fealty to wicked men.

XXVII. Quod a fidelitate iniquorum subiectos potest absolvere.

 

 

 

 

   
   

 


This Webpage was created for a workshop held at Saint Andrew's Abbey, Valyermo, California in 2017....x....   “”.