Dalmatia, Council of

Dalmatia, Council Of (Concilium Dalmaticum). Held in 1199, by John, chaplain to pope Innocent III, and Simon, his sub-deacon, both legates of the Roman see. In this council the Church of Dalmatia submitted itself to the authority of Rome. Twelve canons were published.

1. Enjoins that a bishop convicted of taking any fee for ordination shall be deposed forever.

4. Directs that the secrecy of confession shall be kept inviolate under pain of deposition.

8. Concerns. those lay persons who present to benefices, and those of the clergy who receive them at the hands of the laymen.

10. Excommunicates husbands who forsake their wives, without waiting for the judgment of the Church.

11. Forbids the ordination of bastards, and of the sons of priests.

12. Forbids the ordination of any one as priest under thirty years of age.

The acts are subscribed by seven bishops, besides the legates and the archbishop Dominicus. — Labbe, Concil. 11:7; Landon, Manual of Councils, s.v.