Wing

Decree XXXIX.

Hereas it often happens that Perfons dying who were under the fcandal of having committed fome grievous Sin, tho' never proved upon them, are upon that account denyed the Prayers, and other Offices of the Dead, especially if they defired Confeffion, and were confeffed at their Death, which is contrary to the order and cuftom of the Church, which deprives none of her publick Prayers, but such as die Excommunicate, or in the Act of fome Mortal Sin, without having given any fign of Contrition: Therefore the Synod doth command, that whatfoever Sins one may have committed, if the cenfure of Excommunication was not annexed to them; or unless the Perfon died in the very Act A& of fome Mortal Sin, without giving any fign of Contrition, or flowly in his Bed, without defiring to be confeffed, or to have a Prieft called to him to that effect, as is appointed by the Decrees of the Sacrament of Penance, they fhall pray and perform the Office of the Dead for him, and bury him in Holy Ground with the fame Prayers they do other People.

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Decree XL.

He Synod having thanked the Jefuits of the College of Vaipicotta in this Diocefs, and of the other Refidencies, for the pains they

have been at in inftructing the Christians of these parts, does for the greater benefit of the Souls of the faid Chriftians, grant Licence to the faid Religious, as well of the College, as of their other greater Residencies to preach and hear Confeflions, and adminifter the Sacraments in all Churches where-ever they come, without standing in need of any further Licence, the Sacrament of Matrimony only excepted, which it shall not be lawful for them to adminifter without leave from, or at the request of the Parish. Priefts, commanding all Vicars and Curates of Churches, and all the People to receive the faid Fathers chearfully, and to entertain them with great Kindness and Thanks, for the great trouble they are at in travelling continually over the Mountains only for the Salvation of their Souls, and rejoyce to learn from them how to administer the Sacraments, and to have their Flocks instructed by them in all fuch Doctrines as are neceflary to their Souls, and their Vicars fhall oblige their People to come to Church, to hear them, whenever they preach, the Synod being very confident, that the faid Fathers will exercife all the faid Functions in great Love and Charity with the Parish, and all the other Priefts of the Church.

Decree

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Decree XLI.

Hereas the Conftitutions of the Bishoprick of Goa have been received in the Provincial Councils thereof, and have been ordered to be observed thorow the whole Province, of which this Church being a Suffragan, is obliged by the faid Councils, and to which this Synod yielding a due Obedience, doth command, That in all things that can be observed in this Bishoprick, or concerning which there is no provision made in this Synod, the faid Conftitutions be kept and obeyed, and doth likewise command, That Appeals whenfoever made from Sentences given in this Bishoprick to the Metropolitan, fuch Appeals being made in fuch Cafes wherein the Canons allow them, fhall be granted; neverthelefs not intending hereby to alter any thing in that mild method of the Prelate, and four or more Perfons compofing Matters amicably to the prevention of many Difcords, but if the Parties fhall not fubmit to fuch determinations, but will appeal to the Metropolitan, it (hall not be denyed them, being done in due form.

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ACTION IX.

Of the Reformation of Manners.

Decree I.

Hereas of all the evil Customs that are to

be rooted from among the Faithful, thofe are the most dangerous which have fomething of the Heathen Superstition in them, of which this Bishoprick is full; therefore the Synod defiring that all fuch customs were totally extirpated, that fo Chriftians may enjoy Christianity in its purity, doth in order thereunto command,that all Superstitious washings which are by fome most superstitioufly practifed as Holy Ceremonies be utterly abolifhed, fuch as the washing of Dead Corps the Day after they have given a Dole, reckoning it a Sin to neglect fuch washings, the making of Circles with Rice, into which they put the Parties that are to be Married, having given Rice before to Children, as alfo the taking a thred out with great Superftition when they cut a Web of Cloath, and the taking two grains of Nele back again, after they have fold and measured it: all which Heathenish Vanities the Synod totally prohibits, commanding all that fhall use them hereafter to be feverely punished.

Decree

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Decree II.

Ho' it would much rejoice the Synod to see the Superftitious and abfurd Customs of the Heathen Malavars of the better fort not mixing with the lower, and of having no communication or correfpondence with those that have but touched any of them, totally abolished among the Christians of this Bishoprick; yet forafmuch as the Chriftians thereof, by reason of their being fubject to Infidel Princes, whom they are forced to obey in all things, wherein the Faith is no ways concerned; and that Chriftians, if they should but touch those of the bafer rank, could not after that, according to the Laws, have any Trade or communication with the better fort of People, and fo would not be able to live among them; for which reafon the Synod doth declare, That the custom of not touching any of the bafer fort, being obferved only in complyance with the Heathens, and looked upon as a Superftitious Heather Vanity, and not voluntarily obferved, is no Superftition, nor for the abovementioned Reasons any matter of fcruple, and that Christians may in all places thus lawfully obferve it, where there are Naires or any of the better fort, or where it is likely they may be, or may come to hear of it: But in all places where these Caufes do not concurr, or in fecret, or among the Portuguezes, this Superstition cannot be obferved without doing a great injury to Cc 3 their