DECREE CONCERNING THE TRANSLATION OF THE COUNCIL

Doth it please you to decree and declare, that, from the aforesaid and other allegations, it is so plainly and notoriously certain, respecting a disease of the kind stated, that the prelates cannot without danger of their lives remain in this city, and that therefore they cannot and ought not against their wills to be detained therein. And considering also the withdrawal of many prelates since the session last held, and considering the protests made in the general congregations by very many other prelates, wishing by all means to depart hence through fear of the said disease, who cannot justly be detained, and by whose departure the council would either be dissolved, or, from the small number of the prelates, its beneficial progress would be hindered; and, considering also the imminent danger to life, and the other notoriously true and lawful reasons alleged in the said congregations by certain of the fathers; doth it please you, in like manner, to decree and declare, that, for the preservation and prosecution of the said council, and for the safety of the lives of the said prelates, this council be transferred, for a season, to the city of Bologna, as being a place more ready, healthy, and suitable, and that the translation have effect from this day forth, and that the session, already indicted for the 21st day of April ought to be celebrated, and be celebrated, there, on that appointed day; and that the further matters be proceeded with in order, until it shall seem expedient to our most holy lord and to the sacred council, that the said council may, and ought, to be brought back to this, or to some other place, thereupon taking counsel also with the most invincible emperor, the most Christian king, and with the other Christian kings and princes?

They answered: It pleaseth.