CRIMEN SOLICITATIONIS

    33.   In order to arrive at this purpose [of undertaking all the required formalities], as soon as the Ordinary shall have accepted any denunciation of the crime of solicitation, either personally or through a priest, he will summon, either personally or through a priest delegated to do so, two witnesses (he summons them separately and with appropriate circumspection) and with appropriate circumspection) two witnesses, in so far as it is possible, from the rank of the ecclesiastics . But it is far better, above any exception, to summon persons, who are familiar with both the one denounced and the one denouncing.  These persons, with the notary present (cfr. n. 9), who is to put the interrogation and responses in writing, [ are put] under the sanctity of an oath to tell the truth and to observe its secret nature, accompanied by the threat, if it seems necessary, of excommunication reserved to the Ordinary of the place or to the Holy See 
(cfr. n. 13).  He will interrogate them (Formula G), concerning the life, morals and public reputation both of the one denounce and of the one denouncing, [ They will be asked] whether they think that the one denouncing is worthy of credence; or whether there has ever been any case of hatred, grudge or reason for enmity between the one denouncing and the denounced person.

   34.   If the denunciations are many in number, there is nothing to prevent the same [character] witnesses to be used for all or [to use different] witnesses, always being careful to have a double testimony as to the denounced and the denouncer.
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    35.   If two witnesses cannot be found where each individual knows both the denounced and the denouncer, or if they cannot be interrogated at the same time without the danger of scandal ++14++ or without detriment to the good name concerning him, then arrangements to be made, so that two persons, by means of a divided [dimindiatae] [testimony], namely, interrogate two  witnesses only about the denounced and another two only about the individual denouncers. In this case, however, it will be necessary to inquire elsewhere as to whether hatred, enmity or any other human disaffection against the denunciated [priest] was the case.
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    36.   If even the divided cannot be pursued, or because capable witnesses cannot be found or because scadal or detriment has to be feared and rightly so, there is the possibility of substituting, cautiously, however, and prudently, [for the witnesses] with extra judicial information about the denounced and the ones denouncing and their mutual personal relationships, with  [all of this] put into writing; or [the same results can come about] also through supportive proofs which corroborate or waken the accusation.

    37.   This [article] , then, pertains to the third letter  ( c ). If in the denunciations, which happens not rarely, some persons are influenced, perhaps also solicited, or others who can [simply] bring forward testimony concerning some type of reasona.  All of those people must be examined severally (that is, separately) according to the judiciary formula [below.]   (Formula 1). First of all, they must be interrogated through general matters, and then, by degrees, as the matter evolves, arriving at the particulars, whether and how they had really been solicited , or did they know or hear that other persons had been solicited (Instruction of the Holy Office, February 20, 1867, n. 9). 

    38.   The greatest circumspection must be used in inviting these persons to this interview; for it wil not be always opportune to bring them to a public place such as the chancery, especially if these are girls who are being subject to the examination, married woman, or those who are domestics.  If those who are to be examined live either in monasteries, in hospitals or pious homes for girls, then, the particular [persons]  should be summoned with great dilligence and on different days according to circumstances (instruction of the Holy office, July 20, 1890). 

    39.   What was said above about the wa to receive denunciations, will also be applied, changing what has to be changed [mutatis mutandis) , to the examination of the persons who have been brought forward.