SESSION THE TWENTIETH

Being the fourth under the Sovereign Pontiff Pius IV., celebrated on the fourth day of June, 1562.

DECREE FOR THE PROROGATION OF THE SESSION

The sacred and holy, œcumenical and general Synod of Trent, lawfully assembled in the Holy Ghost,—the same legates of the Apostolic See presiding therein,—on account of various difficulties arising from divers causes, and also to the end that all things may proceed in a more befitting manner, and with greater deliberation; to wit, that dogmas may be treated of and sanctioned conjointly with the things relating to Reformation; has decreed that what matters soever it shall seem fit to ordain, as well touching Reformation, as touching dogmas, shall be defined in the next session, which it indicts to all men for the sixteenth day of the month of July next; adding, however, that the same holy synod freely may and can, at its will and pleasure, as it shall deem to be expedient for the business of the council, shorten or lengthen the said term, even in a general congregation.