Letters of Boniface I 15.0–15.9 (Letters of Boniface I)

Boniface I, bishop of Rome

Letters of Boniface I 15.0–15.9

Boniface I, bishop of Rome · Letters of Boniface I · 418–422 · Rome · 10 passages

Latin text: Migne, PL 20 (Latin text: Migne, Patrologia Latina 20, digitized by Open Greek and Latin (patrologia_latina-dev, University of Leipzig), CC BY-SA 4.0).English: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), public domain (CC0).

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Chapter 15

15.0PL 20:779a–779 a

Dilectissimis fratribus Rufo et caeteris episcopis per Macedoniam, Achaiam, Thessaliam, Epirum veterem, Epirum novam, Praevalin et Daciam constitutis, Bonifacius.

Boniface to his most beloved brothers Rufus and the other bishops established throughout Macedonia, Achaea, Thessaly, Old Epirus, New Epirus, Praevalis and Dacia.

Notes and citation

Summary: Boniface addresses Rufus and the bishops of eastern Illyricum.

Cite (SBL): Boniface I, Ep. 15.0 (PL 20:779a–779 a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/boniface-epistulae/15-0). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/boniface-epistulae/15-0

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina (digital text; Migne's notes and numerals removed and OCR slips corrected by logged corrections). No public-domain or FOTC English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.

15.1PL 20:779a–779 b

Manet beatum apostolum Petrum per sententiam dominicam universalis Ecclesiae ab hoc sollicitudo suscepta; quippe quam, Evangelio teste, in se noverit esse fundatam : nec umquam ejus honor vacuus potest esse curarum; cum certum sit summam rerum ex ejus deliberatione pendere. Quae res animum meum usque ad Orientis loca quae per ipsam sollicitudinem quodam modo videmus, extendunt. Indesinenter enim ab unoquoque illinc veniente percontor de pace fratrum, id est, de quiete pontificum, quae solet, quoties diabolus huic invidet, alicujus praesumptione turbari. Cum igitur ad nos ordine suo cuncta servari fama nunc usque detulerit, vehementer mirati sumus ejus rei stupentes, ut poscebat ratio relatorum, quam in injuriam patrum intentio novella tentavit.

The care of the universal church, received from the Lord’s sentence, rests with the blessed apostle Peter; for he knows, with the gospel as witness, that it is founded on him; nor can his honour ever be empty of cares, since it is certain that the sum of things hangs on his deliberation. This matter extends my mind as far as the regions of the East, which in a way we see through this very care. For I ask without ceasing of everyone who comes from there about the peace of the brothers, that is, about the quiet of the bishops, which is usually disturbed by someone’s presumption whenever the devil envies it. Since, then, report had until now brought us that everything was kept in its order, we were greatly surprised, astonished at the thing, as the account of the reports demanded, which a novel attempt has ventured to the injury of the fathers.

Matt 16:18 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Boniface writes that Peter, on whom the church is founded, cares for all churches, and expresses astonishment at a new attempt against the fathers’ order in Illyricum.

Allusion: Matt 16:18 (Migne’s reference, removed).

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slips; leaked editorial reference): quippe quam, Evaugelio teste (Matth. xvi, 18 ), in se noverit esso fundatam → quippe quam, Evangelio teste, in se noverit esse fundatam.

Topics: Church office, Rome and Peter

Cite (SBL): Boniface I, Ep. 15.1 (PL 20:779a–779 b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/boniface-epistulae/15-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/boniface-epistulae/15-1

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina (digital text; Migne's notes and numerals removed and OCR slips corrected by logged corrections). No public-domain or FOTC English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.

15.2PL 20:779c–780 b

Certo enim cognovimus indice, apud Corinthum, quod exagitati dicimus, synodum congregandam super ejus discutiendo statu, quem Corinthiis apostolica sedes, examinatis omnibus atque discussis, constituit sacerdotem; secuta Dei voluntatem, quae hunc ipsum, quantum docetur dilationibus temporum, ejus ovilis, in quo creverat et cui creverat, voluit esse pastorem. Cujus ordinationis si vestra esset charitas ignara, libenter ab origine sua quae sunt in praeterito de eo gesta retexerem; ut his, quorum aspectus negotii ejus non per ignorantiam, sed per studium involvit obscurum, manifestatione clareret, sententiam de eo specialiter fuisse divinam, qua, ut diximus, Ecclesiae Corinthiorum velut alumnum suum judicium coeleste servavit. Quam rem omnium civium et clericorum a nobis oppido postulavit assensus. Nec tamen id abrupte praeceptio nostra constituit : sed, ut ecclesiastica disciplina poscebat, diligentius fratrem et coepiscopum nostrum Rufum negotii jussimus interiora rimari, et petitionis summam sua de proximo moderatione pensare; ut nihil immaturum ab hac sede fieri videretur, quae aliorum praesumptiones saepe compressit. Ad nos post aliquanti temporis spatium super hoc praedicti episcopi nostri (Rufi), quae praemissis desideriis convenirent, scripta venerunt : quorum evidentissimam rationem secuti, dedimus hunc Ecclesiae illius esse pontificem, in qua per singulos honorum gradus praeteritam quoquo transegisset aetatem.

For we have learned from a sure informant that at Corinth, which we say has been stirred up, a synod is to be assembled to discuss the standing of him whom the apostolic see, after everything was examined and discussed, appointed priest for the Corinthians; following the will of God, which willed this very man, as far as the delays of time show, to be shepherd of the fold in which he had grown up and for which he had grown. If your charity were ignorant of his ordination, I would gladly unfold from its origin what was done about him in the past, so that it might become clear by manifestation to those whose view of his business is wrapped in darkness not through ignorance but through partisanship, that the sentence about him was specially divine, by which, as we said, the heavenly judgment kept him for the church of the Corinthians as its own nursling. This the assent of all the citizens and clergy earnestly asked of us. Yet our command did not decree it abruptly: but, as church discipline required, we ordered our brother and fellow bishop Rufus to search out more carefully the inner parts of the business and weigh the substance of the petition with his own moderation from nearby; so that nothing premature might seem to be done by this see, which has often suppressed the presumptions of others. After some time, letters came to us about this from our bishop mentioned (Rufus), saying that they agreed with the desires set out before: following their most evident reasoning, we gave him as bishop to that church in which he had spent his past life through the several grades of honours.

Notes and citation

Summary: Boniface recounts how Perigenes was confirmed as bishop of Corinth after Rufus’s inquiry and protests against a synod called to reopen his case.

“(Rufi)” is printed in the edition. “Quan praemissis” is read as “quae praemissis”.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip; split word; stray space): apud Corin thum → apud Corinthum; quae hunc ipsum , quantum → quae hunc ipsum, quantum; si vestra esset oharitas → si vestra esset charitas; fratrem et coepi scopum nostrum Rufum → fratrem et coepiscopum nostrum Rufum; ab hac sede fleri videretur → ab hac sede fieri videretur; (Rufi), quan praemissis → (Rufi), quae praemissis; dedimus hunc Ecclesia; illius → dedimus hunc Ecclesiae illius.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Boniface I, Ep. 15.2 (PL 20:779c–780 b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/boniface-epistulae/15-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/boniface-epistulae/15-2

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina (digital text; Migne's notes and numerals removed and OCR slips corrected by logged corrections). No public-domain or FOTC English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.

15.3PL 20:780b–781 a

Quam ad rem faciendam memorato episcopo mea directa secunda protinus, quae presbyterio universo complicuit, auctoritate mundavi, retro majores secutus qui Ecclesiam Thessalonicensem sibi semper familiarem et in collegii charitate famulantem, dignam, sicut fides asserit scriniorum, hoc honore duxerunt. Quem fratri Rufo apostolicae etiam in posterum gratia sedis indulget; sequax Domini, qui exaltat humiliatos, et humiliat semper elatos; dum illis gratiam tribuit, his resistit.

To accomplish this I directed my [letter] at once to the bishop mentioned, … and confirmed by my authority, following my predecessors, who, as the record of the archives affirms, held the church of Thessalonica, always close to them and serving in the charity of the college, worthy of this honour. This the favour of the apostolic see grants to brother Rufus for the future also; following the Lord, who exalts the humbled and always humbles the exalted, while he gives grace to the former and resists the latter.

1 Pet 5:5–6 (allusion, high confidence) · Jas 4:6 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Boniface says he confirmed Perigenes through Rufus, following predecessors who honoured Thessalonica, and continues that honour to Rufus.

The first clause is damaged in the printed text (“mea directa secunda protinus, quae presbyterio universo complicuit, auctoritate mundavi”) and is translated only in part; the lost words are marked “…”. Allusion: 1 Pet 5:5–6 (Jas 4:6; Luke 1:52).

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slips; leaked editorial reference): retro majoros s(??)eutus qui → retro majores secutus qui; his resistit (I Pet. v, 6). → his resistit..

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Boniface I, Ep. 15.3 (PL 20:780b–781 a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/boniface-epistulae/15-3). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/boniface-epistulae/15-3

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina (digital text; Migne's notes and numerals removed and OCR slips corrected by logged corrections). No public-domain or FOTC English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.

15.4PL 20:781a–781 b

Quantum est ergo humilitatis munus, quod gratiae divinae lance pensatur? Et quanta est poena superbiae, cui proprie totius mundi Dominus et rector obsistit? Melius autem Fraternitati vestrae intelligendum relinquo, quis humilitatis, et quis superbiae sit magister. Sed absit hoc a Domini sacerdotibus, ut in hunc aliquis eorum cadat reatum, ut, nova quidpiam usurpatione tentando, inimica sibi faciat scita majorum : aemulum se illum specialiter habere cognoscens, apud quem Christus noster sacerdotii summam locavit. In cujus contumeliam quisquis insurgit, habitator coelestium non poterit esse regnorum. Tibi, inquit, dabo claves regni coelorum, in quae nullus sine gratia janitoris intrabit. Tu es, inquit, Petrus, et super hanc petram aedificabo Ecclesiam meam. Quicumque igitur cupit etiam ante Deum nostrum sacerdotii dignitate censeri; quoniam ad Deum Petro suscipiente pervenitur, in quo Ecclesiam, sicut supra memoravimus, universalem certum est esse fundatam, debet esse mitis et humilis corde : ne incipiat discipulus contumax illius, cujus superbiam imitatus est, poenam subire doctoris.

How great, then, is the gift of humility, which is weighed on the scale of divine grace? And how great is the punishment of pride, which the Lord and ruler of the whole world specially opposes? I leave it rather for your brotherhood to understand who is the master of humility and who of pride. But far be it from the Lord’s priests that any of them fall into this guilt, so that, by attempting something by novel usurpation, he makes the decrees of the elders hostile to himself: knowing that he has as his special rival him with whom our Christ placed the sum of the priesthood. Whoever rises up to insult him cannot be a dweller in the heavenly kingdoms. “To you,” he says, “I will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven,” into which no one will enter without the favour of the doorkeeper. “You are Peter,” he says, “and on this rock I will build my church.” Whoever, then, desires to be counted worthy of the dignity of the priesthood before our God also, since one comes to God with Peter receiving him, on whom, as we mentioned above, it is certain that the universal church is founded, ought to be meek and humble of heart: lest, a contumacious disciple of him whose pride he imitated, he begin to undergo the punishment of his teacher.

Matt 16:19 (quotation, high confidence) · Matt 16:18 (quotation, high confidence) · Matt 11:29 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Boniface warns that pride against Peter, to whom Christ gave the keys, excludes from heaven, and urges humility.

Quotations: Matt 16:19; 16:18; allusion to Matt 11:29. The “master of pride” is the devil. The references were removed.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip; leaked editorial reference): Quantum esi ergo → Quantum est ergo; proprie lotius mundi → proprie totius mundi; et quis superhiae sit → et quis superbiae sit; Sed absit hoe a Domini → Sed absit hoc a Domini; inimica tibi faciat → inimica sibi faciat; regni coelorum (Matth. xvi, 19), in quae → regni coelorum, in quae; Ecclesiam meam(Ibid., 18). → Ecclesiam meam..

Topics: Church office, Rome and Peter

Cite (SBL): Boniface I, Ep. 15.4 (PL 20:781a–781 b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/boniface-epistulae/15-4). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/boniface-epistulae/15-4

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina (digital text; Migne's notes and numerals removed and OCR slips corrected by logged corrections). No public-domain or FOTC English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.

15.5PL 20:781c–782 b

Congregatur ergo, ut redeamus ad causam hujus injuriae, synodus cujus dilecto consultum semper superhabens concilii recognoscat arcanum : et fiet, quod quidem fieri per regulas omnino non poterit, fratris et coepiscopi nostri Perigenis honor dubius et incertus, quem in sede Ecclesiae supradictae nostra sententia collocavit. Quis ergo hunc rudis et peregre fortasse nunc demum rediens accusator incessit? Quis certe antistitum, ut fratrum conveniret turba, praecepit, lectis epistolis nostris? Quoniam locus exigit, si placet recensere canonum sanctiones, reperietis quae sit post Ecclesiam Romanam secunda sedes, quaeve sit tertia. A quibus ideo ita rerum videtur ordo distinctus, ut se Ecclesiarum pontifices caeterarum, sub uno tamen eodemque sacerdotio, habere cognoscant quibus charitate servata propter ecclesiasticam disciplinam debeant esse subjecti. Et quidem haec sententia canonum a vetustate duravit, ut nunc usque, Christo nostro favente, perdurat. Nemo umquam apostolico culmini, de cujus judicio non licet retractari, manus obvios audacter intulit : nemo in hoc rebellis exstitit, nisi qui de se voluit judicari. Servant Ecclesiae magnae praedictae per canones dignitates, Alexandrina et Antiochena, habentes ecclesiastici juris notitiam. Servant, inquam, statuta majorum, in omnibus deferentes, et ejus vicissitudinem recipientes gratiae, quam se in Domino, qui pax nostra est, nobis debere cognoscunt.

A synod is being assembled, then, to return to the cause of this injury, which … the hidden purpose of the council; and there will come about, what can by no means be done according to the rules, that the honour of our brother and fellow bishop Perigenes, whom our sentence placed in the see of the church mentioned, will be doubtful and uncertain. Who then is this accuser, raw and perhaps only now returning from abroad, who assails him? Which of the bishops, certainly, ordered that a crowd of brothers should assemble, after our letters had been read? Since the place requires it, if you please to review the sanctions of the canons, you will find what is the second see after the Roman church, and which is the third. By them the order of things is seen to have been so distinguished that the bishops of the other churches, under one and the same priesthood, may know to whom, keeping charity, they ought to be subject for the sake of church discipline. And indeed this sentence of the canons has lasted from antiquity, as it lasts until now, with our Christ’s favour. No one has ever boldly raised his hands against the apostolic summit, whose judgment may not be reconsidered: no one has been a rebel in this except one who wished to be judged about himself. The great churches mentioned, Alexandria and Antioch, keep their dignities through the canons, having knowledge of church law. They keep, I say, the statutes of the elders, deferring in all things, and receiving in return that grace which they know they owe to us in the Lord, who is our peace.

Eph 2:14 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Boniface protests that a synod would put Perigenes’s confirmed status in doubt, and appeals to the canons ranking Rome, Alexandria and Antioch, whose bishops defer to the apostolic see.

The first sentence is damaged in the printed text (“cujus dilecto consultum semper superhabens concilii recognoscat arcanum”) and is marked “…” in part. The canon ranking the sees is Nicaea, canon 6. Allusion: Eph 2:14. A cross-reference to Nicholas I was removed.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip; leaked editorial cross-reference): rependis quae sit → reperietis quae sit; qu(??)ve sit tertia → quaeve sit tertia; a vetustate duravit (Nicolaus I, epist. 8, Mich. imp.), ut → a vetustate duravit, ut; Nemo umqnam apostolico → Nemo umquam apostolico; voluit judieari → voluit judicari.

Extrabiblical texts: Conc. Nic. 6 (Creed and Canons of the Council of Nicaea (325); allusion)

Topics: Church office, Rome and Peter

Cite (SBL): Boniface I, Ep. 15.5 (PL 20:781c–782 b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/boniface-epistulae/15-5). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/boniface-epistulae/15-5

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina (digital text; Migne's notes and numerals removed and OCR slips corrected by logged corrections). No public-domain or FOTC English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.

15.6PL 20:782b–783 b

Sed quia res postulat, approbandum documentis est, maximas Orientalium Ecclesias in magnis negotiis, in quibus opus esset disceptatione majore, sedem semper consuluisse Romanam, et quoties usus exegit, ejus auxilium postulasse. Sanctae memoriae Athanasius et Petrus, Alexandrinae sacerdotes Ecclesiae, hujus sedis auxilium postularunt. Cum Antiochena Ecclesia per multum temporis laboraret, ita ut fierent illinc propter hoc ipsum saepe discursus, primo sub Meletio, postea sub Flaviano, apostolicam sedem manifestum est esse consultam. Ad cujus auctoritatem post multa, quae ab Ecclesia nostra gesta sunt, nemini dubium est Flavianum communionis gratiam recepisse; qua in perpetuum caruerat, nisi hinc super hoc scripta manassent. Clementissimae recordationis princeps Theodosius Nectarii ordinationem propter ea, quia in nostra notione non esset, habere non existimans firmitatem, missis e latere suo aulicis cum episcopis, formatam huic a sede Romana dirigi regulariter depoposcit, quae ejus sacerdotium roboraret. Ante breve tempus, id est, sub praedecessore meo beatae recordationis Innocentio, Orientalium Ecclesiarum pontifices, dolentes se a beati Petri communione sejunctos, per legatos pacem, sicut charitas vestra retinet, poposcerunt. Quo tempore apostolica sedes omnia non difficulter indulsit, illi parens magistro qui ait : Si cui autem aliquid donastis, et ego; nam et ego si quid donavi propter vos in persona Christi : ut non possideamur a Satana; non enim ignoramus versutias ejus : id est, quia semper dissensione laetatur.

But since the matter requires it, it must be proved by documents that the greatest churches of the East, in great matters in which there was need of a greater discussion, have always consulted the Roman see, and, whenever need required, asked for its help. Athanasius and Peter of holy memory, priests of the church of Alexandria, asked for the help of this see. When the church of Antioch laboured for a long time, so that journeys were often made from there on this very account, it is plain that the apostolic see was consulted, first under Meletius, later under Flavian. No one doubts that, by its authority, after many things done by our church, Flavian received the grace of communion, which he would have lacked for ever had letters on this matter not flowed from here. The prince Theodosius of most clement memory, thinking that the ordination of Nectarius did not have firmness because it was not within our knowledge, sent courtiers from his side with bishops and asked that a letter of communion be sent to him by the Roman see in due form, to strengthen his priesthood. A short time ago, that is, under my predecessor Innocent of blessed memory, the bishops of the Eastern churches, grieving that they were separated from the communion of blessed Peter, asked for peace through legates, as your charity remembers. At that time the apostolic see granted everything without difficulty, obeying that master who says: “If you have forgiven anyone anything, I also; for if I have forgiven anything, it was for your sake in the person of Christ, so that we may not be possessed by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his devices”: that is, because he always rejoices in dissension.

2 Cor 2:10–11 (quotation, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Boniface cites Athanasius, Peter of Alexandria, Meletius and Flavian of Antioch, Theodosius on Nectarius, and the Eastern reconciliation under Innocent as proofs that the East consulted Rome.

Boniface’s historical examples are translated as written; some are disputed (Meletius, for instance, was never in Rome’s communion). Quotation: 2 Cor 2:10–11. Migne’s references were removed.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip; OCR slips; leaked editorial cross-reference; leaked editorial reference): quoties usus(??)exegit → quoties usus exegit; Alexandrinae sacerdotes Ecclesise → Alexandrinae sacerdotes Ecclesiae; per mullum temporis laboraret, ita ut fierent illinc propter boe ipsum saepe discursus, primo sub Meletio, postea sob Flaviano, apostolicam sedem manifestum esi esse consultam → per multum temporis laboraret, ita ut fierent illinc propter hoc ipsum saepe discursus, primo sub Meletio, postea sub Flaviano, apostolicam sedem manifestum est esse consultam; per legatos (Vide Innocentii epistolas 19 et seqq.) pacem → per legatos pacem; qui ait (II Cor. ii, 10, 11) : Si cui → qui ait : Si cui; versutias ejus (Nicolaus I haec laudat in fine epist. 42) : id est → versutias ejus : id est.

Topics: Church office, Rome and Peter

Cite (SBL): Boniface I, Ep. 15.6 (PL 20:782b–783 b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/boniface-epistulae/15-6). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/boniface-epistulae/15-6

BibTeX · RIS · CSL-JSON (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-boniface-epistulae-15-6) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina (digital text; Migne's notes and numerals removed and OCR slips corrected by logged corrections). No public-domain or FOTC English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.

15.7PL 20:783b–784 a

Quoniam igitur ad probandam veritatem arbitror quae diximus, fratres charissimi, exempla sufficere, quamvis plura vestri notione teneantur; absque fraternitatis injuria conventui vestro volumus his litteris obviatum, quas a nobis per Severum, apostolicae sedis notarium, animis acceptissimum nostris, e nostro latere destinatum videatis esse directas, convenientes, ut condecet, fratres, nequis, volens in nostra communione durare, fratris et coepiscopi nostri Perigenis iterum ad discutiendum in medium nomen adducat : cujus sacerdotium apostolus Petrus semel jam Spiritus sancti suggestione firmavit, nihil huic relinquens in posterum quaestionis, cui, dum constitueretur a nobis per ejus temporis spatium quo vacavit, nihil omnino constet objectum. Cesset accusatio, cujus invidiam probamus auctorem. Solvatur machina falsitatis in eum compositae; quia ad sacerdotium, Dei nostri et omnium bonorum favore, pervenit.

Since, then, I think the examples we have given suffice to prove the truth, dearest brothers, though more are held in your knowledge, we wish, without injury to the brotherhood, to oppose your assembly by this letter, which you see has been sent by us through Severus, notary of the apostolic see, most welcome to our mind, sent from our side; admonishing you, brothers, as is fitting, that no one who wishes to remain in our communion bring the name of our brother and fellow bishop Perigenes again into the open for discussion: whose priesthood the apostle Peter has already once confirmed at the suggestion of the Holy Spirit, leaving no question about it for the future, since it is clear that nothing at all was charged against him when he was appointed by us during the time the see was vacant. Let the accusation cease, whose author we prove to be envy. Let the machine of falsehood built against him be dismantled; for he came to the priesthood with the favour of our God and of all good men.

Notes and citation

Summary: Boniface forbids, on pain of excommunication, any reopening of the case of Perigenes, whose appointment Peter has confirmed.

Topics: Church office, Church discipline and penance

Cite (SBL): Boniface I, Ep. 15.7 (PL 20:783b–784 a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/boniface-epistulae/15-7). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/boniface-epistulae/15-7

BibTeX · RIS · CSL-JSON (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-boniface-epistulae-15-7) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina (digital text; Migne's notes and numerals removed and OCR slips corrected by logged corrections). No public-domain or FOTC English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.

15.8PL 20:784a–784 b

Sane quoniam servandus accusatori locus est, ne audentiam penitus incitare videamur, si quid ab eodem postquam episcopus nostris est auctoritatibus constitutus, contra disciplinam et propositum sacerdotii fertur admissum, coepiscopus noster Rufus, cui ad vicem nostram cuncta committimus, cum ceteris fratribus quos ipse delegerit, negotium curabit audire; ad nostram relaturus omnia notionem, quaecumque cognitioni ejus rerum cursus et ordo monstrant.

Indeed, since a place must be kept for an accuser, lest we seem to provoke audacity altogether, if anything is reported to have been committed by him against discipline and the purpose of the priesthood after he was appointed bishop by our authority, our fellow bishop Rufus, to whom we entrust everything in our stead, will take care to hear the business with the other brothers whom he himself chooses; he will report to our knowledge whatever the course and order of things show to his inquiry.

Notes and citation

Summary: Any charge against Perigenes concerning his conduct since his appointment is to be heard by Rufus with bishops of his choice and reported to Rome.

“Audentiam” is read as “audaciam”.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip): cum exteris fratribus quos ipse → cum ceteris fratribus quos ipse.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Boniface I, Ep. 15.8 (PL 20:784a–784 b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/boniface-epistulae/15-8). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/boniface-epistulae/15-8

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina (digital text; Migne's notes and numerals removed and OCR slips corrected by logged corrections). No public-domain or FOTC English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.

15.9PL 20:784b–784 c

Illud etiam, quoniam auctoritas nostra commonitione solita vacare non debet, hortamur et repetito saepius sermone praecipimus, ut in omnibus huic viro obedientiam dispositionibus commodetis. Nullus, ut frequenter diximus, alicujus ordinationem citra ejus conscientiam celebrare praesumat, cui, ut supra dictum est, vice nostra cuncta committimus. Sibi certe hujus praesumptionis auctores imputabunt in posterum, cum se viderint apostolicae charitatis extorres. Data v idus Martias, Honorio xiii et Theodosio x Augustis consulibus.

This too, since our authority ought not to lack its customary admonition, we urge and command with words often repeated: that you lend obedience to this man in all his dispositions. Let no one, as we have often said, presume to celebrate anyone’s ordination without the knowledge of him to whom, as was said above, we entrust everything in our stead. The authors of this presumption will certainly have themselves to blame in the future, when they see themselves exiles from apostolic charity. Dated the fifth day before the Ides of March [11 March 422], in the consulship of Honorius for the thirteenth time and Theodosius for the tenth time, Augusti.

Notes and citation

Summary: Boniface orders the Illyrian bishops to obey Rufus and ordain no one without his knowledge, and dates the letter 11 March 422.

Migne’s modern date was removed and is given in brackets.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR slip; leaked editorial date): Data v idos Martias (Mart. 11 ann. 422) → Data v idus Martias.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Boniface I, Ep. 15.9 (PL 20:784b–784 c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/boniface-epistulae/15-9). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/boniface-epistulae/15-9

BibTeX · RIS · CSL-JSON (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-boniface-epistulae-15-9) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Migne's Patrologia Latina (digital text; Migne's notes and numerals removed and OCR slips corrected by logged corrections). No public-domain or FOTC English exists, so each batch was re-read against the Latin.