Verium, Council of (Concilium Vernense)

Verium, Council Of (Concilium Vernense)

A council was held in 754 at a place in France named in Latin Vernum. Some doubt exists as to its locality. Fleury and Le Cointe say that it is Vernon-sur-Seine; Pagi, following Mabillon, says Verneuil-sur-Oise; Lebeuf and Bouquet maintain that it is a place called Ver, or Vern, a royal seat, situated between Paris and Compiegne. SEE VERNEUIL, COUNCIL OF.

The council was assembled by order of king Pepin, and the bishops of all the Gallican provinces attended. The object was to re-establish discipline, and they agreed to remedy at once the most grievous abuses, and to leave lesser matters till a more favorable opportunity. Twenty-five canons were published.

1. Enacts that no bishop shall hold more than one see.

3. Gives to the bishop authority to correct both the regulars and seculars within his diocese.

4. Orders that two synods be holden annually in France.

5. Leaves to the bishop the reform of the religious houses in his diocese. If he cannot effect it, he is directed to apply to the metropolitan, and lastly to the synod.

7. Forbids to erect baptisteries without the bishop's permission.

8. Orders priests to attend the synod of bishops, and forbids them to baptize or to celebrate the holy office without their permission.

13. Forbids itinerant bishops (who have no diocese) to perform any function.

14. Forbids all work on Sundays save such as is absolutely necessary (3 Council of Orange, can. 2S).

17. Forbids to leave a bishopric vacant for more than three months.

18. Forbids clerks to carry their causes before lay tribunals.

24. Forbids simony. See Mansi, Concil. 6:1664.