service of God or will do so in the future. Although, as is evident from its contents, the legitimacy of this letters patent can never be questioned now or in the future, so that it reaches its full effect, nevertheless, to ensure the observance, preservation, and use of this letters patent is not opposed or hampered in any way either by our beloved sons, the religious or some other persons, the above-named Spokesman submitted a humble petition, asking us to kindly prevent this by our apostolic grace. Therefore, we absolve the said Spokesman from all excommunications, suspensions, interdicts and other Church judgments, censures, and penalties either resulting from law or imposed by people for whatever reason or cause or with which he might be charged in any way, in order to attain his goal in this present matter; by deeming him absolved, we accede to his requests and to your discretion (seeing that the Spokesman proves that the matter regards only those exempt from episcopal jurisdiction), and by this letter we confirm and recommend that—by our apostolic authority—you act now and, in the future, instruct to act those who are already called or will be called to abide by the Minister General’s letters patent and by everything it stipulates according to its form and contents, so long as no other ruling on the above be provided anywhere else. In view of the above, by the power of our apostolic authority, by this decree we grant you, appointed by a public rescript, the fullness of power to hold responsible always and whenever needed all the religious and all other persons attempting to thwart the execution, observance, and implementation of this decree, and to impose as many times as necessary the judgments, censures, and penalties in accordance with the provisions of the Council of Trent to announce, impose, and increase penalties on the disobedient even to the extent of securing the assistance of lay authorities, should the need be, as well as to apply all necessary measures; everything to the contrary is notwithstanding. Given in Rome at St. Mary Major, under the Fisherman’s seal, on November 24, 1699, in the ninth year of our pontificate. Place of the Seal @ B. Cardinal Pro-Datar Constitutions and Directory 38
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