Paschal,
bishop, and servant of such as are the servants of God, to
his venerable son Gerard, founder and Master of the Hospital
at Jerusalem, and to his lawful successors for evermore. The
requests of a devout desire ought to meet with a corresponding
fulfillment. Inasmuch, as of thy affection thou hast requested,
with regard to the Hospital which thou hast founded in the
city of Jerusalem, in proximity to the Church of the blessed
John the Baptist, that it should be supported by the authority
of the apostolic see, and fostered by the patronage of the
blessed apostle Peter:
We,
therefore, much pleased with the pious earnestness of thy
hospitality, do receive the petition with our paternal favour,
and do ordain and establish, by the authority of this our
present decree, that that house of God, your Hospital, shall
now be placed, and shall for ever remain, under the protection
of the apostolic see, and under that of the blessed Peter.
All things whatsoever, therefore, which by thy persevering
care and solicitude have been collected for the benefit of
the said Hospital, for the support and maintenance of pilgrims,
or for relieving the necessities of the poor, whether in the
churches of Jerusalem, or in those of parishes within the
limits of other cities; and whatsoever things may have been
offered already by the faithful, or for the future may through
God's grace be so offered, or collected by other lawful means;
and whatsoever things have been, or shall be granted to thee,
or to thy successors, or to the brethren who are occupied
in the care and support of pilgrims, by the venerable brethren
the bishops of the diocese of Jerusalem; we hereby decree
shall be retained by you in peace and undiminished.
Moreover,
as to the tithes of your revenues, which ye collect everywhere
at your own charge, and by your own toil, we do hereby fix
and decree, that they shall be retained by your own Hospital,
all opposition on the part of the bishops and their clergy
notwithstanding. We also decree as valid all donations, which
have been made to your Hospital by pious princes, either of
their tribute moneys or other imposts.
We
ordain furthermore, that at thy death no man shall be appointed
in thy place, as chief and master, by any underhand subtlety,
or by violence; but him only who shall, by the inspiration
of God, have been duly elected by the professed brethren of
the Institution. Furthermore, all dignities or possessions
which your Hospital at present holds, either on this side
of the water, to wit in Asia, or in Europe, as also those
which hereafter by God's bounty it may obtain; we confirm
them to thee and to thy successors, who shall be devoting
themselves with a pious zeal to the cares of hospitality,
and through you to the said Hospital in perpetuity. We further
decree that it shall be unlawful for any man whatsoever rashly
to disturb your Hospital, or to carry off any of its property,
or if carried off to retain possession of it, or to diminish
ought from its revenues, or to harass it with audacious annoyances.
But let all its property remain intact, for the sole use and
enjoyment of those for whose maintenance and support it has
been granted. As to the Hospital or Poor Houses in the Western
provinces, at Burgum of St. Aegidius, Lisan Barum, Hispalum,
Tarentum, and Messana, which are distinguished by the title
of Hospitals of Jerusalem, we decree that they shall for ever
remain, as they are this day, under the subjection and disposal
of thyself and thy successors.
If,
therefore, at a future time, any person, whether ecclesiastical
or secular, knowing this paragraph of our constitution, shall
attempt to oppose its provisions, and if, after having received
a second or third warning, he shall not make a suitable satisfaction
and restitution, let him be deprived of all his dignities
and honours, and let him know that he stands exposed to the
judgment of God, for the iniquity he has perpetrated; and
let him be deprived of the Sacraments of the Body and Blood
of Christ, and of the benefits of the redemption of Our Lord,
and at the last judgment let him meet with the severest vengeance.
But to all who deal justly and rightly with the same, on them
be the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that not only here
below they receive the rewards of a good action, but also
before the Judge of all mankind, they may enjoy the blessing
of peace eternal.
I PASCHAL, Bishop of the Catholic Church.
I RICHARD, Bishop of Alboe, have signed.
I CALIXTUS, Bishop of the Catholic Church.
I LANDULPHUS, Bishop of Beneventum, have read and signed.
Given
at Beneventum, by the hand of John, Cardinal of the Roman
Church, and Librarian, on the 15th day of the calends of March,
in the 6th indiction of the incarnation of our Lord, in the
year 1113, and in the 13th year of the Pontificate of our
Lord Pope Paschal 11.
Note:
This Papal Bull can be found as Appendix No. 6 of A History
of the Knights of Malta or The Order of the Hospital of Saint
John of Jerusalem by Major Whitworth Porter (London: Longman,
Brown, Green, Longmans, & Roberts. 1858) Vol. 1. pp. 490-492;
and in other historical sources. This and other Papal Bulls
pertaining to the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem
may also be seen in the Order's archives in the Palace of
the Grand Masters in Valletta, Malta.