2595

August 7. Lyons. Pope Innocent IV writes to his penitentiary the papal legate Brother Lawrence [of Portugal] of the Friars Minor (Franciscans), relating that the legate is said to have been working for the return of ‘the patriarch of the Greeks [Manuel II] and his suffragans’ to the unity of the Holy Roman Church, but that the pope wishes to do no injury or prejudice to anyone over this. Thus, concerning the Greek prelates who wish to return to the devotion and reverence to the Church, if they were subject to the [Latin] patriarch of Antioch or of Jerusalem or other Latin prelates in the past, they are to remain bound in obedience and reverence to them. But if they are not known to have been so subject, the legate shall receive them in obedience to the Roman Church, save the rights of others. Moreover, the legate shall persuade the patriarch of the Greeks to come to the Apostolic See in person to be admitted to its unity and full grace, and if it is established that the patriarch is not subject to any of those patriarchs or prelates, he and his suffragans who enjoy the same freedom will be subject directly to the Apostolic See. If the patriarch cannot come in person, he is to send suitable representatives for himself and his suffragans with sufficient mandate. If the patriarch or others cannot afford to come, the legate shall assist with funds from the Apostolic Camera.