Chapter 37

1If any woman suffers violence from a man, let the deacon investigate carefully whether she is faithful and has truly suffered violence, and whether the man who treated her violently was not her lover. If this is certainly the case, and if the woman who suffered mourns over the violence done to her, let him report it to the bishop so that she may be shown to remain in full communion with the Church.

2If the man who treated her violently is faithful, let the deacon not bring him into the church to partake, even if he repents. But if he is a catechumen and repents, let him be baptized and partake.

3Let the deacon catechize those who repent and bring them to the presbyters or the bishop so that they may be catechized and taught knowledge. But if his power is sufficient to fulfill the office of the diaconate perfectly, let him remain continually in prayer. Let him regard supplication and meditation, love, the way, mourning, and keeping fear before his eyes as his work; and he shall be called a son of light.