Oblationes

medieval suicide 3

Oblationes defunctorum qui in aliquo crimino fuerint interempti, recipi debere censemus; si tamen non ipsi sibi mortem probentur propriis manibus intulisse.
(Concilium Aurelianense II. sub Bonifacio II anno 533, cap. 15)

We decree that oblations should be accepted for the dead who were killed as the result of a crime, at least if it is proved that they did not bring death upon themselves by their own hands. (tr. David Bauwens)

Item placuit, ut hi qui sibi ipsis aut per ferrum, aut per venenum, aut per praecipitium, aut suspendium, vel quolibet modo violentam inferunt mortem, nulla illis in oblatione commemoratio fiat, neque cum psalmis ad sepulturam eorum cadavera deducantur: multi enim sibi hoc per ignorantiam usurparunt. similiter et de his placuit, qui pro suis sceleribus puniuntur.
(Concilium Bracarense II. sub Joanne III anno 563, canon 16)

We decree that regarding those who bring violent death upon themselves by the sword, or by poison, or by jumping, or by hanging themselves, or by whatever other method, there may be no commemoration in the oblations for them, and their corpses cannot be carried to the grave with the accompaniment of psalms; for many have appropriated this right through ignorance. Likewise we decree regarding those who are being punished for their crimes. (tr. David Bauwens)