Storia do Mogor 338.8.6

338.8.6

The father replied in the affirmative, and at once pointed out (in a folio he had taken with him for this purpose) that by the Council of Trent, and by six other councils, as proved by innumerable authors, a marriage was valid at which the parish priest was present, although he might be a non-tolerated, excommunicated person. On hearing this the Lord Nuncio sent at once for a father of the Society of Jesus to examine into the case. The result was in accordance with the Capuchin's assertions. The marriage was valid, although the Reverend Father Friar Euzebio might be excommunicated. How much more so when he was not ? as was also abundantly proved. Notwithstanding this report, his Excellency resolved to pursue his own course, closing eyes and ears to everything. I hardly know if my pen dare to write here what I saw elsewhere written — namely, that great men's errors are proportionate : ' The greater the man, so much the greater the error.' It is not I who say it. On the same day he gave an order to the Reverend Father Friar Laurent to proceed at night to the Frenchman's house with two witnesses, and januis clausis (with closed doors) remarry them both, the husband and the wife. The Reverend Father Friar Laurent knew very well in his conscience that he could not so act, it being obvious to him that by the Council of Trent and the other councils, as previously set forth, the marriage was already duly performed and therefore valid.