Article 6

On Inheritances and Annuities

As sincerity and uprightness must be maintained in all one’s conduct, so that what is done outwardly reflects the sentiments and disposition of the heart, the Friars Minor, who have divested themselves of all temporal things through such strict renunciation of property, must abstain from everything that might be or appear contrary to it.

Now, because in inheritances not only the use, but also the ownership and dominion of a thing pass, after a certain time, to the heirs; and because the said Friars cannot acquire anything, either individually for themselves or in common for their Order,

We declare and state that, by the purity of their vow, they are absolutely incapable of such inheritances, which by their nature extend equally to money and to other goods, movable and immovable.

Nor is it permitted to them to have given to them, in the form of a legacy, the full value of such inheritances, or so large a part that it might be presumed to have been done fraudulently; and even if they were left to them in this manner, they must not receive them. We absolutely forbid them all such things. With regard to annual annuities: since they are regarded in law as immovable property, and are thereby contrary to the spirit of poverty and mendicancy, there is no doubt that it is forbidden to the said Friars, in accordance with their state, to receive any, to possess them, or even to make use of them, since it does not appear that this is permitted to them anywhere.