Gitsew

Canon 51

Overview

This canon forbids appeals against a bishop's decision, prohibits bishops from appointing relatives to office, and addresses the eligibility of clergy with physical disabilities.

1Command 51: Let no one appeal against a bishop, nor let one bishop appeal against another. Let no one appeal against a bishop's decision, nor let one bishop appeal against another, for all matters are settled by two or three. Let a bishop not give the office of bishop to his brother, his children, or his relatives, nor let him appoint anyone arbitrarily, for it is not right that our bishops be inherited, nor let him give the goods of God according to human will. Let him not desire to inherit the church, for Christ's inheritance is not to be inherited. If they do so, let them be deposed, and let their office be given to another. If a bishop is blind in one eye or lame in one foot, let him be deposed, for the body's defect does not disqualify, but the soul's defect does. Let a blind bishop not be deposed, for he is not unclean, unless he is unclean in soul. Let a demoniac not be deposed, nor let him pray with the heretics. If he is healed, let him be restored. If he is lame, let him be deposed.