Die Juden in den späteren kanonistischen Rechtssammlungen des Mittelalters: Dekretales Gregorii IX. (Liber Extra), Liber Sextus, Clementinae und Extravagantes Communes

Abstract

With the growing juridification of internal ecclesiastical procedures from the middle of the twelfth century, a substantial increase occurred in the publishing of decretals (papal edicts). Subsequently, diverse collections of these edicts were compiled, some of which became the actual corpus of ecclesiastical law following papal promulgation. The Liber Extra, above all, contains numerous articles relating to Jews, and therefore formed the basis for canonical Jewry law, which was largely completed in the thirteenth century. In addition, the decretals show an increasing tendency not only to prescribe how Christians should behave toward Jews but also wherever possible to subject Jews – even though ecclesiastical law did not apply to them as non-Christians – to the direct jurisdiction of ecclesiastical statutes. The present essay examines the Jewry-specific articles of decretals in each distinct compilation, and systematizes them under the following perspectives: protection of Jews; restrictive and rights-limiting measures; prevention of proselytism; missionary work with Jews. It must be noted that the articles referring to Jews in the decretals account for only some of the relevant papal pronouncements, and in each case therefore provide only a partial picture of policies toward Jews. The Jewry policies of Pope Innocent III, above all, marked a turning point towards a more negative attitude towards Jews.