3/25/2021
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| A. Lorenzetti, "St. Nick" |
Nullo 10a: “Secure Ocular Knowledge”
SRC instructs the bishops first to “secure ocular knowledge” as to how the MBS is secured in every location subject to him. His inquiry into the visible evidence of its safe-keeping is to be made with diligence and not limited only to the times of his visitations. He can see to it personally or through another prudent ecclesiastic.
Should they find something amiss concerning the necessary safeguards, SRC requires bishops to have the situation rectified in short order. It authorizes bishops to use penal sanctions in favor of the prompt securing of the MBS ranging, depending on the gravity of the negligence from pecuniary fines to the removal of the priest.
SRC instructs no relief from this obligation in favor of the plea that nothing has happened heretofore against the MBS.
This section of Nullo 10 concludes with the admonition that the malice of men may yet be done in the course of time and so it needs be guarded against.
Nullo 10b: Violations
Next SRC instruction how to proceed in the case—which God forbid, of violations. The Bishop should always proceed against the priest responsible by filing a summary of the details of the violation. The acts of the process should be sent to SRC in Rome with the bishops vote in the matter. The details of the summary are to include: the description of the theft, its place & time; a statement assigning guilt to the responsible person, via negligence or positive fault, based on the acts of the process.
