Concerning involuntary homicides, a former decree directs that they be received to full communion after seven years [of penance], according to the prescribed degrees; but this second one, that they fulfill a term of five years.
Part three of those canons involved with manslaughter on some level, this concerned involuntary cases. From a modern, American perspective this seems unusually harsh. The first question to arise might be: why would anyone need to do penance for an involuntary act? The answer may be found in understanding our cultural laxity toward the sanctity of life. The biblical response to involuntary manslaughter (Num 35:22-29) was two-fold: 1) the victim's family had the right of blood vengeance; and 2) the perpetrator was not guilty of blood as long as he remained in one of the six cities of refuge1 that had been established or until the high priest's death.2 This canon, in the same way, addressed both the seriousness of what happened with its due consequence of justice and the mercy to be extended by virtue of its involuntary nature.
1 I presume this included the surrounding lands attached to the city as well.
2 Upon the high priest's death, the shedder of blood was free from his "house arrest" without fear of reprisal from the victim's family.
Part three of those canons involved with manslaughter on some level, this concerned involuntary cases. From a modern, American perspective this seems unusually harsh. The first question to arise might be: why would anyone need to do penance for an involuntary act? The answer may be found in understanding our cultural laxity toward the sanctity of life. The biblical response to involuntary manslaughter (Num 35:22-29) was two-fold: 1) the victim's family had the right of blood vengeance; and 2) the perpetrator was not guilty of blood as long as he remained in one of the six cities of refuge1 that had been established or until the high priest's death.2 This canon, in the same way, addressed both the seriousness of what happened with its due consequence of justice and the mercy to be extended by virtue of its involuntary nature.
1 I presume this included the surrounding lands attached to the city as well.
2 Upon the high priest's death, the shedder of blood was free from his "house arrest" without fear of reprisal from the victim's family.
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