Papal documents relating to Franciscan poverty
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POPE JOHN XXII, CUM INTER NONNULLOS
Translated by John Kilcullen
Copyright
(c) 1996, R.J. Kilcullen.
(See Lambert, pp. 235-6).
Since among some of those in the Schools it happens
often to be called into doubt whether it must be regarded as
heretical to affirm pertinaciously that our Redeemer and Lord Jesus
Christ and his Apostles did not have any things individually, and not
even in common, and they think different and opposite things
concerning this matter: we, wishing to end this controversy, declare
by this perpetual edict, made with the advice of our Brothers [the
cardinals -- Gloss: see De re jud., c. ad Apostolicae, and decretal
Execrabilis], that such pertinacious assertion must hence forth [see
Gloss, col. 148] be regarded as erroneous and heretical, since it
expressly contradicts sacred scripture, which in many places asserts
[see Gloss, col. 146, q] that they did have some things, and openly
supposes that sacred scripture itself, through which especially the
articles of orthodox faith are proved, contains, in relation to the
foregoing [the possessions of Christ and the Apostles], a leaven of
falsehood -- and consequently, destroying as far as it can all its
credit [i.e. the credit of sacred scripture], renders the Catholic
faith doubtful and uncertain, taking away its proof.
Further, for the future, to affirm pertinaciously that
there did not at all belong to our Redeemer aforesaid and [om.
Friedberg] his Apostles a right to use the things sacred scripture
testifies they had, and that they did not have the right to sell or
give them, or to exchange them for other things -- which, however,
sacred scripture testifies concerning the foregoing that they did do,
or expressly supposes they were able to do: since such an assertion
evidently implies [that] their use and deeds in relation to those
things [were] not just -- and to think this of the use, deeds or
actions of our Redeemer the Son of God is indeed wicked, contrary to
sacred scripture and inimical to Catholic teaching -- we declare,
with the advice of our Brothers, that henceforth that pertinacious
assertion must rightly be regarded as erroneous and heretical.
Therefore let it be lawful to no man at all to violate
this page of our declarations, or venture to go rashly against it.
If, however, anyone etc. Given at Avignon, 14th November, in the
seventh year [of our pontificate, 1322].
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