Letter 17
From the court of King Adaloald to the bishops and administrators of the provinces.
The following instructions are issued regarding the management of church affairs within the kingdom.
On the collection of church revenues: the method established by the late queen Theudelinda, by which church revenues are collected by church officials and a portion rendered to the royal treasury, shall continue in operation. Disputes about the apportionment are to be brought to the royal court for resolution.
On the appointment of bishops: no see shall be filled without royal notification. The traditional process of election by clergy and people shall proceed, but the result shall be communicated to the court before the candidate is consecrated. The court reserves the right to raise objections within thirty days; in the absence of objections, the election proceeds.
On the monasteries: the recent disputes about the legal status of properties given to monastic communities require resolution. The king's jurists are preparing a ruling that will establish clear principles for property transfers to religious communities. Until this ruling is issued, no new major property transfers to religious communities shall take place.
On the clergy who have been ordained irregularly during the recent period of political disruption: their cases will be reviewed by a synod to be convened this autumn.
Issued under the seal of the royal court.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.