Tarragona, Councils of

Tarragona, Councils of These two councils were so called because they were held in the city of that name in Spain. This city (anciently Taarraco), capital of the province of the same name, is situated at the mouth of the Francoli, has a population of about 18,000, is the seat of an archbishop, and, besides other schools of learning, has an ecclesiastical seminary.

I. The first council of Tarragona was held in 516, during the reign of Theodoric, king of Italy, and guardian of Amalric, king of Spain. Ten bishops were present, and thirteen canons published.

3. Forbids usury among clerks.

4. Forbids bishops, priests, and clerks to judge any cause on Sundays; allows them to do so on other days, provided they do not interfere in criminal cases.

7. Directs that the priest or deacon appointed to any country parish shall remain there during his week (i.e. that the priest shall remain there one week, and then the deacon shall succeed him and keep his week) in order to celebrate divine service with the clerks; and that on Saturday all the clergy shall attend in order to begin the Sunday office. It also orders that matins and vespers shall be said daily.

1. Forbids monks to leave their convent in order to perform any clerical function without leave from their superior. See Mauisi, Coec. 4:1562.

II. The second council was held in 1242, by Peter the archbishop, against the Waldenses in Aragon. Part only of the acts remain. See Mansi, Cone. 11:592.