Benedict XI, 1303-1304

BENEDICT XI 1303-1304

The Repeated Confession of Sins¹

[From the order "Inter cunctas sollicitudines" Feb. 17, 1304]

470. . . . Although . . . it is not necessary to confess the same sins a second time, nevertheless, because of the shame which is a large part of repentance, we consider it of benefit to repeat the confession of the same sins, we strongly enjoin the Brothers [Preachers and Minors] carefully to advise those confessing, and in their sermons exhort that they confess to their own priests at least once in a year, declaring that without doubt this pertains to the advancement of souls.

CLEMENT V 1305-1314

COUNCIL OF VIENNE 1311-1312

Ecumenical XV (abolition of the Templars)

The Errors of the Beghards and the Beguines (the State of Perfection)²

471. 1. That man in the present life can acquire so great and such a degree of perfection that he will be rendered inwardly sinless, and that he will not be able to advance farther in grace; for, as they say, if anyone could always advance, he could become more perfect than Christ.

472. 2. That it is not necessary for man to fast or to pray, after he has attained a degree of such perfection; because then his sensuality is so perfectly subject to the spirit and to reason that man can freely grant to the body whatever it pleases.

473. 3. That those who are in the aforementioned degree of perfection and in that spirit of liberty are not subject to human obedience, nor are they bound to any precepts of the Church, because (as they assert) "where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [II Cor. 3:17].

474. 4. That man can so attain final beatitude according to every degree of perfection in the present life, as he will obtain it in the blessed life.