From the Vatican Archives.

Document No. 175.

NOTE. --When the late Mr. P. G. Ralfe was in Rome in August, 1926, he examined some documents in the Vatican archives relative to Man. He transcribed the Latin originals and afterwards translated them into English. Two of them are as follow:--

1236. POPE GREGORY IX TO THE BISHOP OF MORAY TO RELEASE THE BISHOP OF SODOR FROM THE CHARGE OF LISMORE.

TO THE BISHOP OF MORAY.

Our venerable brother, the Bishop of Sodor, has humbly made request that we should deign to relieve him from the burden in this respect on him incumbent, since formerly (in the case of) the Bishopric of Lismore, which in consequence of the evil of the time had come to great poverty, the Apostolic See had taken (it) to itself, to grant 'in commendam'; and in consequence of the frequent infirmities of himself, he is unable to exercise the " cure " of both (dioceses).

And so to his prayers we being disposed to move do to thy fraternal relation to us commit, so far as relates to the said bishop, that thou, releasing him from the " cure" and the anxiety of the Church of Lismore, do cause to be provided for the said Church by Canonical election (of) a suitable person to be bishop and pastor. Gainsayers etc. (anathema).

Given at Reate, seventh July in the 10th year. [ 1236]

This document, in Latin, with its translation appears in vol. xxiii Manx Soc., p. 308. Mr. Ralfe's translation may be considered more literal. Simon was the Bishop referred to. His date is 1226-1244. He had been entrusted with the care of the diocese of Lismore (Argyll), which on account of the evilness of the times 'had fallen into great poverty.'

As the above document states, in 1236 he prayed to be released, and his request was granted. Bishop Simon it was who built St. German's Cathedral, established a chapter and held a synod at Kirk Braddan in 1229.