Ecclesiastical Discipline
The restoration and maintenance of proper order, morals, and governance within the Church — correction of unworthy clergy, enforcement of canonical norms, reform of institutions. Van der Burch's gentle manner of restoring discipline produced a "new splendour" in the Church of Ghent.
Preliminaries
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TO THE MOST REVEREND AND MOST ILLUSTRIOUS LORD HENRY FRANCIS VAN DER BURCH, ARCHBISHOP AND DUKE OF CAMBRAI, PRINCE OF THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE, COUNT OF CAMBRAI.
— As Vicar-General, Van der Burch "everywhere restored, increased, and confirmed ecclesiastical discipline."
"you surveyed and administered the entire practical governance of the Church with such fidelity, diligence, grace, and skill that you everywhere restored, increased, and confirmed ecclesiastical discipline"
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TO THE MOST REVEREND AND MOST ILLUSTRIOUS LORD HENRY FRANCIS VAN DER BURCH, ARCHBISHOP AND DUKE OF CAMBRAI, PRINCE OF THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE, COUNT OF CAMBRAI.
— Van der Burch's gentle manner of restoring discipline: removing scandals, correcting or removing dissolute parish priests, producing a "new splendour" in the Church of Ghent.
"removed scandals, restored ecclesiastical discipline, corrected or removed parish priests of dissolute life, so that a new splendour — indeed a glory — shines out upon all Belgium"
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TO THE MOST REVEREND AND MOST ILLUSTRIOUS LORD HENRY FRANCIS VAN DER BURCH, ARCHBISHOP AND DUKE OF CAMBRAI, PRINCE OF THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE, COUNT OF CAMBRAI.
— Van der Burch's constancy in defence of faith and discipline, gently bringing the rebellious back under obedience.
"Your constancy in defence of faith and discipline, Most Illustrious Bishop, is celebrated everywhere; for all can see that you do not desist until you have confirmed it, and have gently brought the rebellious back under the yoke of the Lord"