No other than the king can command the bishop to make an inquisition.

Explanation

The power to direct a bishop to conduct an inquiry belongs exclusively to the sovereign; no lesser authority may co-opt the ecclesiastical office for investigative purposes.

Where this applies

• A local magistrate orders a bishop to investigate misconduct within the diocese, but only the sovereign has the authority to direct such an ecclesiastical inquiry.
• A state attorney general demands that a bishop conduct an internal audit of church properties — the bishop refuses because the power to command such an inquisition belongs exclusively to the crown or its equivalent.
• A city council passes a resolution requiring the local bishop to investigate and report on charitable fund usage; the bishop is not bound because only the highest civil authority can make that demand.

See also

• 12.11.9 The clergy should not be placed in temporal offices.
• 12.11.16 A bishop need not obey any mandate save the king’s.