But there was also in the Catholic Church in the Germanic kingdoms a strong monastic spirit which was by no means willing to see the Church become an “establishment.” This [pg 580] fitted in poorly with the condition of the State Church. It is illustrated by the career of St. Columbanus.
(a) Council of Orleans, A. D. 511, Synodical Letter. Bruns, II, 160.
The king summons the council and approves its findings. Extract from the synodical letter in which the canons are sent to Chlodowech.
To their Lord, the Son of the Catholic Church, Chlodowech, the most glorious king, all the priests[223] whom you have commanded to come to the council.
Because your great care for the glorious faith so moves you to reverence for the Catholic religion that from love of the priesthood you have commanded the bishops to be gathered together into one that they might treat of necessary things, according to the proposals of your will and the titles [i.e., topics] which you have given, we reply by determining those things which seem good to us; so that if those things which we have decreed prove to be right in your judgment, the approval of so great a king and lord might by a greater authority cause the determinations of so many bishops to be observed more strictly.
(b) Council of Orleans, A. D. 549, Canons. Bruns, II, 211.
Canons regarding Episcopal elections. The first instance in canonical legislation in the West recognizing the necessity of royal consent to the election of a bishop. For the relation of the Pope to metropolitans, see in [§ 99] the Epistle of Gregory the Great to Vigilius of Arles.
Canon 10. That it shall be lawful for no one to obtain the episcopate by payment or bargaining, but with the permission of the king, according to the choice of the clergy and the people, as it is written in the ancient canons, let him be consecrated by the metropolitan or by him whom he sends in his place, together with the bishops of the province. That if [pg 581] any one violates by purchase the rule of this holy constitution, we decree that he, who shall have been ordained for money, shall be deposed.
Canon 11. Likewise as the ancient canons decree, no one shall be made bishop of those who are unwilling to receive him, and neither by the force of powerful persons are the citizens and clergy to be induced to give a testimonial of election.[224] For this is to be regarded as a crime; that if this should be done, let him, who rather by violence than by legitimate decree has been ordained bishop, be deposed forever from the honor of the episcopate which he has obtained.