[Pope Alexander III] writes to Bishop John of St Andrews, answering a question, and informs him that clerics having only a tonsure are to be counted in the Lord’s flock and are thus exempt from secular jurisdiction. They are to be judged only in ecclesiastical courts. If they are convicted of a crime, or confess a crime, they should by no means endure secular punishment, but should undergo the penalty demanded by ecclesiastical discipline, unless the crime is serious enough to merit both penalties.
Firm date
Summer 1180 X 30 July 1181
Dating Notes
Based on events, consecration of Bishop John of St Andrews × death of Pope Alexander III (see _Scot. Pont._, 99)
Source for Data Entry
Scotia Pontificia, no. 102
Trad. ID
Scotia Pontificia, no. 102
Calendar number
2/131/57
Charter type
Papal letter
Language
Latin
Notes
Probably Alexander III rather than his successor, Lucius III