Abtilis
Canon 57
Overview
This canon addresses the case of a man who has fallen from the faith due to habitual fornication, prescribing penance and exclusion from clerical advancement, with a provision for restoration upon genuine repentance.
1Abṭelis, 57. If a man has fallen from the faith through abundant fornication, and this has become his constant habit, let him be bound by this sin. Just as a man should not commit adultery, so too should he not commit fornication, just as he should not commit theft. As it is written in the Book of the Law, 'You shall not commit adultery,' and 'You shall not steal,' and 'You shall not worship idols,' let him be condemned for his soul, and let him be forgiven, but let him not fast within, and let him not be admitted to the rank of the priesthood. But if he repents of this and turns to good, let him be forgiven.