THE CONSTITUTIONS OF THE SYNOD OF CASHEL (1172).
Source.—Giraldus Cambrensis, p. 232. Bohn's Libraries. G. Bell & Sons.
First. It is decreed that all the faithful throughout Ireland shall eschew concubinage with their cousins and kinsfolk, and contract and adhere to lawful marriages.
Second. That children be catechised outside the church doors, and infants baptised at the consecrated fonts in the baptisteries of the churches.
Third. That all good Christians do pay the Tithes of beasts, corn and other produce, to the church of the parish of which they live.
Fourth. That all the lands and possessions of the church be entirely free from all exactions of secular men; and especially that neither the petty kings nor earls, or other great men in Ireland, nor their sons, nor any of their household, shall exact provisions and lodgings on any ecclesiastical territories, as the custom is, nor under any pretence presume to extort them by violent means; and that the detestable practice of extorting a loaf four times a year from the mills belonging to the churches, by neighbouring lords, shall henceforth be utterly abolished.
Fifth. That in the case of a homicide committed by laics, when it is compounded for by the adverse parties, none of the clergy, though of kindred to the perpetrators of the crime, shall contribute anything; that, as they were free from the guilt of the homicide, so they shall be also exonerated from any payment in satisfaction for it.
Sixth. That every good Christian, being sick and weak, shall solemnly make his last will and testament in the presence of his confessor and neighbours, and that, if he have any wife and children, all his moveable goods, his debts and servants' wages being first paid, shall be divided into three parts, one of which he shall bequeath to his children, another to his lawful wife, and the third to such uses as he shall declare. And if it shall happen that there be no lawful child or children, then his goods shall be equally divided between his wife and legatees. And if his wife die before him, then his goods shall be divided into two parts, of which the children shall take one, and his residuary legatees the other.
Seventh. That those who depart this life after a good confession shall be buried with masses and vigils and all due ceremonies.
Finally. That divine offices shall be henceforth celebrated in every part of Ireland, according to the forms and usages of the Church of England.