4to. [1], xxxviii, 482 pp., contemporary half vellum with marbled boards, slightly rubbed round edges, title vignette, title gilt on morocco label, spine darkened, ink shelf number on lower spine, verso front cover and leaf after title, bookplate of The Philadelphia Theological Seminary of St. Charles Borromeo, speckled edges, occasional foxing, otherwise copy in very good condition, Typis S. Congregationis de Propaganda Fide, Rome, 1820.

Synopsis

First edition of the Latin version of the acts of the historic 1736 Synod convened to implement the reform and Latinisation of the Maronite Church. The somewhat divergent Arabic version was published in 1788.
Regarding the discipline of the Eastern Churches in the matter, the legislation of the Synod of the Maronites of 1736, confirmed “in forma specifica” by Pope Benedict XIV on September 1, 1741, is most instructive. The legislation of the Synod of 1736 is the principal font of the canonical legislation of Catholics of the Maronite Rite and is also a font of can. 712 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.
Regarding Holy Communion, the Synod of 1736 legislated that the “publicly unworthy” are not to be admitted to Holy Communion. The legislation gives as examples of those to be denied Holy Communion the following: “ heretics, schismatics, apostates, the excommunicated, the interdicted, and the openly notorious, such as prostitutes, the cohabiting, usurers, sorcerers, fortune-tellers, blasphemers and other sinners of this public kind”. The legislation gives two conditions under which they may subsequently be admitted to receive Holy Communion:
1- The establishment of their penance and changing their way of life.
2- The prior repair of public scandal. In other words, the canonical discipline is directed both to the eternal salvation of the soul of the sinner and to the correction of the scandal given by a person who publicly violates the moral law and then presumes to receive Holy Communion.
Bibliographic references: Graf III, 506; Mansi: Sacrarum conciliorum nova et angmplissima collectio (Florence and Venice, 1759-98).