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| Pope Paschal II (1099 - 1118) |
Piae Postulatio Voluntatis
PROCLAMATION OF THE VICAR OF
CHRIST RECOGNISING THE HOSPITALLER ORDER OF SAINT JOHN; GRANTING IT
PERPETUAL RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES AND INDEPENDENCE; AND, FOR ALL TIME, PLACING
IT UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE HOLY SEE
Paschal, bishop, and servant of such as are the
servants of God, to his venerable son Gerard, founder and Master of the
Hospital at Jerusalem, and to his lawful successors for evermore. The
requests of a devout desire ought to meet with a corresponding
fulfillment. Inasmuch, as of thy affection thou hast requested, with
regard to the Hospital which thou hast founded in the city of Jerusalem,
in proximity to the Church of the blessed John the Baptist, that it should
be supported by the authority of the apostolic see, and fostered by the
patronage of the blessed apostle Peter:
We, therefore, much pleased with the pious
earnestness of thy hospitality, do receive the petition with our paternal
favour, and do ordain and establish, by the authority of this our present
decree, that that house of God, your Hospital, shall now be placed, and
shall for ever remain, under the protection of the apostolic see, and
under that of the blessed Peter. All things whatsoever, therefore, which
by thy persevering care and solicitude have been collected for the benefit
of the said Hospital, for the support and maintenance of pilgrims, or for
relieving the necessities of the poor, whether in the churches of
Jerusalem, or in those of parishes within the limits of other cities; and
whatsoever things may have been offered already by the faithful, or for
the future may through God's grace be so offered, or collected by other
lawful means; and whatsoever things have been, or shall be granted to
thee, or to thy successors, or to the brethren who are occupied in the
care and support of pilgrims, by the venerable brethren the bishops of the
diocese of Jerusalem; we hereby decree shall be retained by you in peace
and undiminished.
Moreover, as to the tithes of your revenues, which ye
collect everywhere at your own charge, and by your own toil, we do hereby
fix and decree, that they shall be retained by your own Hospital, all
opposition on the part of the bishops and their clergy notwithstanding. We
also decree as valid all donations, which have been made to your Hospital
by pious princes, either of their tribute moneys or other imposts.
We ordain furthermore, that at thy death no man shall
be appointed in thy place, as chief and master, by any underhand subtlety,
or by violence; but him only who shall, by the inspiration of God, have
been duly elected by the professed brethren of the Institution.
Furthermore, all dignities or possessions which your Hospital at present
holds, either on this side of the water, to wit in Asia, or in Europe, as
also those which hereafter by God's bounty it may obtain; we confirm them
to thee and to thy successors, who shall be devoting themselves with a
pious zeal to the cares of hospitality, and through you to the said
Hospital in perpetuity. We further decree that it shall be unlawful for
any man whatsoever rashly to disturb your Hospital, or to carry off any of
its property, or if carried off to retain possession of it, or to diminish
ought from its revenues, or to harass it with audacious annoyances. But
let all its property remain intact, for the sole use and enjoyment of
those for whose maintenance and support it has been granted. As to the
Hospital or Poor Houses in the Western provinces, at Burgum of St.
Aegidius, Lisan Barum, Hispalum, Tarentum, and Messana, which are
distinguished by the title of Hospitals of Jerusalem, we decree that they
shall for ever remain, as they are this day, under the subjection and
disposal of thyself and thy successors.
If, therefore, at a future time, any person, whether
ecclesiastical or secular, knowing this paragraph of our constitution,
shall attempt to oppose its provisions, and if, after having received a
second or third warning, he shall not make a suitable satisfaction and
restitution, let him be deprived of all his dignities and honours, and let
him know that he stands exposed to the judgment of God, for the iniquity
he has perpetrated; and let him be deprived of the Sacraments of the Body
and Blood of Christ, and of the benefits of the redemption of Our Lord,
and at the last judgment let him meet with the severest vengeance. But to
all who deal justly and rightly with the same, on them be the peace of our
Lord Jesus Christ, so that not only here below they receive the rewards of
a good action, but also before the Judge of all mankind, they may enjoy
the blessing of peace eternal.
I PASCHAL, Bishop of the Catholic Church.
I RICHARD, Bishop of Alboe, have signed.
I CALIXTUS, Bishop of the Catholic Church.
I LANDULPHUS, Bishop of Beneventum, have read and signed.
Given at Beneventum, by the hand of John, Cardinal of
the Roman Church, and Librarian, on the 15th day of the calends of March,
in the 6th indiction of the incarnation of our Lord, in the year 1113, and
in the 13th year of the Pontificate of our Lord Pope Paschal II.
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