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Salient: Victoria University Students' Paper. Vol. 25, No. 5. 1962.

Prosecution

Prosecution

"In the cause of Heresy you should proceed quietly and simple, without formality and noise of pleadings. There should be no delay, no interruptions, no appeal and as few witnesses as possible."

"There are three ways of proceeding in cases of heresy; by accusation, by information, and by inquiry."

The Inquisition was told, through (he directory, to seldom make use of accusation, inasmuch as it was unusual and dangerous to the accuser. The Inquisitors were therefore discouraged from accusations and to content themselves with the gathering of helpful information. But he could if he wished prepare a charge officially at the instance of the Party.

In most cases, the court proceeded on information. Given in writing and attested by an oath on the four gospels, the Inquisitor received his information in private with no other witnesses than his secretary.

The information might have appeared groundless at first sight, but the Inquisitor must not cancel it on that account; for, "what cannot be brought to light today, may be made clear tomorrow."

When there was no informer, then inquiry came into play; either in general with the population hunting for heretics, or undertaken only by the Inquisition. "There ought to be two witnesses to confirm the suspicion; and their evidence will be valid, even if they cannot say that they have even heard him utter an erroneous opinion, but can only testify they have heard it from others. Neither need they say what they have heard; for it suffices if they declare that people will talk suspectingly about him."