R8: Alexander III. an Wezelin von St. Andreas in Köln
Salutation and Report
Alexander greets Wezelin and reports that Hildegard's community has brought a matter to his attention.
Alexander's reply to Wezelin, the provost. Alexander, servant of the servants of God, to the beloved son, the provost of Saint Andrew in Cologne, greeting and apostolic blessing. You should know that word has reached us from our beloved daughter in Christ, Hildegard, prioress of the mountain of Saint Robert in Bingen, and from the sisters of that same place.
The Disputed Election
The sisters elected a provost from Saint Disibod's monastery, but the abbot refused both to release him and to appoint him further.
Namely, that when they had chosen a master and provost for themselves from the monastery of Saint Disibod, as they were accustomed to do. The abbot of that place — the decision concerning the person of his own monastery having been made — refused to grant it. But he also refused to assign the same person to them any further.
Pastoral Concern and Commission
Because these matters concern the salvation of souls, Alexander commits the case to Wezelin's discernment through apostolic authority.
Therefore, since to the aforementioned sisters. in these matters which pertain to the salvation of souls, it is fitting that provision be made diligently. Through apostolic writings we entrust this to your discernment.
Instructions for Judgment
Wezelin is to summon both parties, examine the reasons for the provost's election, judge justly, and ensure the sisters obtain a suitable provost even if not their first choice.
So that, when you're asked by either party about this matter, you'll summon both sides to your presence, and, having more carefully examined the reasons on each side regarding the election of the provost, you should decide the case itself with justice mediating. And if the aforementioned sisters from that monastery can't have the provost, you'll arrange for them to have a suitable one from another, at least.
Read the original Latin
Responsum Alexandri Ad Vvezelinum prepositum. Alexander seruus seruorum dei dilecto filio preposito sancti Andreę in colonia salutem et apostolicam benedictionem. Ex parte dilectę in christo filię nostrę hildigardis priorissę montis sancti Roberti in binga et sororum eiusdem loci ad nostram audientiam noueris peruenisse. quod cum magistrum sibi et prepositum de monasterio sancti Dysibodi sicut consueuerant elegissent. abbas ipsius loci quę de persona monasterij sui facta fuerat concedere noluit. sed eandem personam eis renuit adhuc assignare. Vnde quoniam predictis sororibus. in his quę ad salutem pertinent animarum diligenter conuenit prouideri.
discretioni tuę per apostolica scripta mandamus. quatenus utramque partem cum super hoc fueris requisitus. ad tuam presentiam conuoces. et racionibus super electione prepositi hinc inde diligentius intellectis. causam ipsam iusticia mediante decidas. et si predictę sorores de illo monasterio prepositum habere non poterunt. facias ut saltem de alio habeant competentem.
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