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Corpus of Canon Law, First Part: The Decree of Master Gratian

Corpus Iuris Canonici, Pars Prior: Decretum Magistri Gratiani

1879·Latin·791 pages PDF (753MB) Source

The Decretum Magistri Gratiani (Concordia Discordantium Canonum) is the foundational collection of medieval canon law, compiled around 1140 in Bologna. It became the standard textbook of canon law throughout the medieval Church. This photomechanical reprint reproduces the second Leipzig edition of 1879 edited by Aemilius Friedberg — the standard modern critical edition. The text is set in two columns of roman type with a critical apparatus and Friedberg's annotations; the volume opens with an extensive prolegomena discussing sources, manuscripts, and prior editions. Columns in the main text are numbered sequentially (1–1444).

Author

Gratian

Gratian

Gratianus

1080–1160

Readings

Causa 1: On Simony and Simoniacal Ordination

Causa I

Causa 1 of the Decretum is Gratian's comprehensive treatment of simony, structured around a hypothetical case of a man ordained through payment. Seven questions explore whether simoniacally ordained clergy can function validly (Q. I), whether they must be deposed (Q. II), whether they must surrender their benefices (Q. III), whether the sin is mortal (Q. IV), whether ordaining bishops are excommunicated (Q. V), whether simony can be committed through prayer or service rather than money (Q. VI), and whether lay investiture constitutes simony (Q. VII). The causa draws on patristic authority, papal decretals, and Roman law, and represents the most systematic canonical treatment of simony produced in the medieval West.

Gratian Gratian·1140·Latin·Causa I·p. 179a–219a