# Canons of the Council of Carthage (ca. 345–348) - Author: Anonymous - Latin title: *Concilium Carthaginense I* - Date: ca. 345–348 (approximate) - Source: Friedrich Lauchert, ed., Die Kanones der wichtigsten altkirchlichen Concilien nebst den Apostolischen Kanones (Freiburg i. B. and Leipzig: Mohr, 1896); text read from a Tesseract OCR of the archive.org scan (Latin text: Lauchert (1896), OCR of the archive.org scan) - Translation: Claude, from the original text, unless a passage says otherwise; each passage below gives the translator - Editions and translations: Hermann Theodor Bruns, ed., Canones apostolorum et conciliorum veterum selecti, vol. 1 (Berlin: Reimer, 1839); Friedrich Lauchert, ed., Die Kanones der wichtigsten altkirchlichen Concilien (Freiburg i. B.: Mohr, 1896); Périclès-Pierre Joannou, ed., Discipline générale antique (IVe-IXe s.), vol. 1.2 (Grottaferrata: Tipografia Italo-Orientale, 1962) - Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/ - Passages: 15 ## Heading - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-0 - Source: Lauchert, 152 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Opening fragment: the council of some fifty bishops under Gratus of Carthage. ### Latin text quinquaginta episcoporum. (... Gratus episcopus dixit:) ### English translation (Claude) … of fifty bishops. (… Bishop Gratus said:) ### Translation notes - The council of Carthage under Bishop Gratus, usually dated 345–348, after the imperial suppression of the Donatists. The opening of the acts survives only in this fragment; the bracketed words are the editor's. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Carth. I pref. (Lauchert, 152; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-0). ## Canon 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-1 - Source: Lauchert, 152 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: The council forbids the rebaptism of anyone baptized in the triune faith. ### Latin text Ergo, si vobis placet, consideremus primum titulum rebaptizationis; et sanctitatem vestram postulo, ut mentis vestrae placita producatis, an descendentem in aquam, et interrogatum in trinitate secundum evangelii fidem et apostolorum doctrinam et confessum bonam conscientiam in deum de resurrectione lesu Christi, liceat iterum interrogari in eadem fide et in aqua iterum tingi. Universi episcopi dixerunt: Absit. Illicitam enim esse sancimus rebaptizationem et satis esse alienam a sincera fide et a catholica disciplina. ### English translation (Claude) "So, if it pleases you, let us first consider the heading of rebaptism; and I ask your holiness to state the decisions of your minds: whether one who has gone down into the water and been questioned on the Trinity according to the faith of the Gospel and the teaching of the apostles, and has confessed a good conscience toward God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, may be questioned again in the same faith and dipped again in water." All the bishops said: "Far from it. For we decree that rebaptism is unlawful, and wholly foreign to sincere faith and to catholic discipline." ### Scripture references - 1 Pet 3:21: allusion, high confidence - Matt 28:19: echo, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Directed against the Donatist practice of rebaptizing catholics. "Confessed a good conscience toward God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" adapts 1 Pet 3:21. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Carth. I 1 (Lauchert, 152; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-1). ## Canon 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-2 - Source: Lauchert, 152–153 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: No one is to be honoured as a martyr who threw himself to death in madness or died for some sin; offenders do penance or, if clerics, lose their rank. ### Latin text Gratus episcopus dixit: Magna beatitudo a deo patre per Christum dominum concessa est tempori nostro, ut liceat religiosis mentibus insinuare ecclesiasticam disciplinam, ut auditores percipientes regulam rectam et deo placeant et praemia meritorum bonorum percipiant, ut in ipsis deus in omnibus et pro omnibus honoretur Discussus est titulus necessarius rebaptizationis, in quo plus schismatis rabies delitescebat, et adhibita moderatione, legis vigor et auctoritas custodita est. Illud sane sapientissimis vestris sensibus insinuare contendo, licet vestra prudentia sit instructa et a deo docta, et mereatur in pace et unitate consequi desuper munera larga, tamen et ego unus ex vobis et qui parem vobiscum sollicitudinem geram propter ecclesiasticum ordinem illud insinuare curabo: Martyrum dignitatem nemo profanus infamet, neque ad passiva corpora, quae sepulturae tantum propter misericordiam ecclesiasticam commendari mandatum est, redigant, aut insania praecipitatos aut alia ratione peccati discretos, non ratione vel tempore competenti, quo martyria celebrantur, martyrum nomen appellent. Aut si quis in iniuriam martyrum claritati eorum adiungat insanos, placet eos, si laici sunt, ad poenitentiam redigi, si autem sunt clerici, post commonitionem et post cognitionem honore privari. Universi dixerunt: Recte statuit sanctitas vestra; hoc et singulis conciliis statutum est. ### English translation (Claude) Bishop Gratus said: "Great happiness has been granted to our time by God the Father through Christ the Lord, that it is possible to instil the discipline of the church into religious minds, so that the hearers, receiving the right rule, may both please God and receive the rewards of good merits, so that God may be honoured in them in all things and for all things. The necessary heading of rebaptism has been discussed, in which the madness of schism lay most hidden, and, with moderation applied, the force and authority of the law has been kept. This indeed I am anxious to put before your most wise minds, although your prudence is well instructed and taught by God, and deserves to obtain abundant gifts from above in peace and unity; still, I too, as one of you who bear equal concern with you for the order of the church, will take care to put this before you: let no profane person defame the dignity of the martyrs, nor reduce it to bodies of no account, which we are bidden to commit to burial only out of the church's mercy; nor let them give the name of martyrs to those who have thrown themselves down in madness, or who have been set apart for some other reason of sin, not for a proper reason or at the proper time when martyrdoms are celebrated. And if anyone, to the injury of the martyrs, joins madmen to their glory, it is decided that such, if they are laymen, be brought to penance; but if they are clerics, after a warning and after inquiry, be deprived of their rank." All said: "Your holiness has decided rightly; this has been decreed in each of the councils too." ### Scripture references - 1 Cor 15:28: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Directed against the Donatist cult of those who sought death (including the Circumcellions who threw themselves from cliffs) as martyrs. "Bodies of no account" renders "passiva corpora" (literally "common, indiscriminate bodies"); the sentence is loosely constructed and is translated by sense. - "Penance" (poenitentia): the church's public discipline. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Carth. I 2 (Lauchert, 152–153; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-2). ## Canon 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-3 - Source: Lauchert, 153 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Celibate men and women devoted to virginity may not live in the same house; laymen who persist are excommunicated and clerics lose their rank. ### Latin text Gratus episcopus dixit: Et illud praecipue, si videtur vestrae dilectioni, cavendum est, ut pastoris curam quantum debet et potest regalis providentia tota praemuniat, ut nullis liceat extraneis ab affectu carnali abstinentibus diverse pariter commorari; occasiones enim amputandae sunt peccatorum et tollendae omnes suspiciones, quibus subtilitas diaboli sub praetextu caritatis et dilectionis incautas animas vel ignaras irretire consuevit. Nullus igitur et nulla sanctimoniae et virginitati deserviens propter blasphemiam ecclesiae, si vobis placet, in una domo penitus commorari non debet. Universi dixerunt: Qui nolunt nubere, et pudicitiae meliorem eligunt partem, vitare debent non solum habitare simul, sed nec habere ad se aliquem accessum; hoc ergo et lex iubet et sanctitas vestra commendat, hoc et in singulis concilis a nobis statutum est. Gratus episcopus dixit: Ergo persuasio interdum prudentes solet arcere a peccatis, quum imprudentes debet metus huiusmodi constringere, si sanum consilium respuunt et salutare mandatum. Si ergo laici sunt, post commonitionem si contempserint, a communione separentur; si clerici sunt, honore priventur. Universi dixerunt: Placet, placet. ### English translation (Claude) Bishop Gratus said: "And this especially, if it seems good to your love, must be guarded against, so that the whole provision of the rule may protect beforehand, as far as it ought and can, the care of the shepherd: that no persons unrelated to each other who abstain from carnal affection may live together, men and women; for occasions of sins must be cut off, and all suspicions removed, by which the subtlety of the devil, under the pretext of charity and love, is accustomed to ensnare unwary or ignorant souls. Therefore no man and no woman devoted to holiness and virginity ought, if it pleases you, to live together in one house at all, because of the reproach brought on the church." All said: "Those who do not wish to marry and choose the better part of chastity must avoid not only living together but even having any access to one another; this, then, both the law commands and your holiness commends, and this has been decreed by us in each of the councils." Bishop Gratus said: "Persuasion, then, sometimes keeps the prudent from sins, while fear of this kind must restrain the imprudent, if they reject sound counsel and a saving command. If, then, they are laymen and despise a warning, let them be separated from communion; if they are clerics, let them be deprived of their rank." All said: "It pleases, it pleases." ### Scripture references - Luke 10:42: echo, low confidence - 1 Thess 5:22: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - "The whole provision of the rule" renders "regalis providentia" as printed, which is obscure (perhaps for "regularis"); translated by sense. "Men and women" renders "diverse" (of the other sex). "Because of the reproach" (propter blasphemiam): the scandal brought on the church. The practice condemned is the cohabitation of ascetics of both sexes (the "spiritual marriage" of subintroductae). ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Carth. I 3 (Lauchert, 153; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-3). ## Canon 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-4 - Source: Lauchert, 153–154 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: The same rule applies to men who live with widows to whom they are not related, and to widowers and widows. ### Latin text Gratus episcopus dixit: Etsi infinita sunt quae lege praescripta sunt proficientia disciplinae, et unusquisque nostrum tractatu assiduo et commonitione frequenti singulas quasque species proficientes ad disciplinam poterit populis intimare; tamen aliqua ex his propter blasphemiam suggerenda sunt a nobis et in concilio statuenda. Si videtur vobis, pari sententia teneantur etiam hi, qui cum viduis commorantur et nulla cum se germanitate coniuncti sunt. Universi dixerunt: Et iuxta viduos et viduas eadem lex maneat et sententia. ### English translation (Claude) Bishop Gratus said: "Although the things prescribed by the law that serve discipline are without number, and each of us by constant teaching and frequent warning can make known to the people each and every point that serves discipline, nevertheless some of these must be proposed by us and decreed in council because of the reproach. If it seems good to you, let those also be bound by the same sentence who live with widows and are joined to them by no kinship." All said: "And with regard to widowers and widows let the same law and sentence remain." ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Carth. I 4 (Lauchert, 153–154; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-4). ## Canon 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-5 - Source: Lauchert, 154 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: No bishop may receive another's cleric without his bishop's letters, or ordain a layman of another church without that bishop's consent. ### Latin text Privatus episcopus Beieselitanus dixit: Suggero sanctitati vestrae, ut statuatis, non debere clericum alienum ab aliquo suscipi sine litteris episcopi sui, neque apud se detinere, sed neque laicum usurpare sibi de plebe aliena, ut eum ordinet sine conscientia eius episcopi de cuius plebe est. Gratus episcopus dixit: Haec observata res pacem custodit, nam et memini sanctissimi concilii Sardicensis similiter statutum, ut nemo alterius plebis hominem usurpet, sed si forte erit necessarium ordinationi, ut de vicino homo sit necessarius, petat a collega suo et consensum habeat. ### English translation (Claude) Privatus, bishop of Beiesela, said: "I propose to your holiness that you decree that no one ought to receive the cleric of another without letters from his bishop, or keep him with him; nor appropriate a layman from another's people so as to ordain him without the knowledge of the bishop from whose people he is." Bishop Gratus said: "This rule, if observed, keeps the peace; for I remember that the most holy Council of Sardica decreed likewise that no one should appropriate a man of another's people; but if it should be necessary for an ordination that a man from a neighbouring church is needed, let him ask his colleague and have his consent." ### Extrabiblical texts - Conc. Sard. 15 (Canons of the Council of Sardica (Greek)): allusion, low confidence ### Translation notes - The reference is probably to Sardica (343), canons 15–16 (Greek numbering); the identification is approximate. - The names of the sees in these acts are given as printed (Beiesela, Culusi, Usula, Astuaga, Canna, Baia, Maginum); several cannot be identified with certainty. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Carth. I 5 (Lauchert, 154; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-5). ## Canon 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-6 - Source: Lauchert, 154 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Clerics may not act as managers or agents of estates and households. ### Latin text Nicasius episcopus Culusitanus dixit: Credo placere suggestionem meam sanctitati vestrae, et displicere vobis, ut qui serviunt deo et annixi sunt clero, accedant ad actus et administrationem vel procurationem domorum. Gratus episcopus dixit: Et apostolorum statuta sunt, quae dicunt: Nemo militans deo ingerit se negotiis saecularibus; proinde aut clerici sint sine actionibus domorum, aut actores sine officio clericorum. Universi dixerunt: Hoc observemus. ### English translation (Claude) Nicasius, bishop of Culusi, said: "I believe my proposal pleases your holiness, and that it displeases you that those who serve God and are attached to the clergy should take on business and the administration or management of households." Bishop Gratus said: "These are also ordinances of the apostles, which say: 'No one serving as a soldier of God entangles himself in worldly affairs.' Therefore either let clerics be without the business of households, or let agents be without the office of clerics." All said: "Let us observe this." ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 2:4: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation: 2 Tim 2:4, in a Latin form. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Carth. I 6 (Lauchert, 154; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-6). ## Canon 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-7 - Source: Lauchert, 154 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: No cleric or layman may receive communion in another church without letters from his bishop. ### Latin text Cassianus Usulensis episcopus dixit: Statuat gravitas vestra, ut unusquisque clericus vel laicus non communicent in alia plebe sine litteris episcopi sui. Gratus episcopus dixit: Nisi hoc observatum fuerit, communio fiet passiva; nam si cum litteris receptus fuerit, et concordia inter episcopos servatur, et nemo subtilis alterius fugiens communionem ad alium latenter accedat. Universi dixerunt; Omnibus provides, et clero et laicis consulens. ### English translation (Claude) Cassian, bishop of Usula, said: "Let your gravity decree that no cleric or layman shall communicate in another people without letters from his bishop." Bishop Gratus said: "Unless this is observed, communion will become indiscriminate; for if one is received with letters, harmony is kept among the bishops, and no crafty person, fleeing the communion of one, may secretly go over to another." All said: "You provide for all, taking thought for both clergy and laity." ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Carth. I 7 (Lauchert, 154; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-7). ## Canon 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-8 - Source: Lauchert, 154–155 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Estate managers and guardians may be ordained only after they have laid down their offices and rendered their accounts. ### Latin text Magnus episcopus Astuagensis dixit: Quid dilectioni vestrae videtur? Procuratores et actores, tutores etiam seu curatores pupillorum si debeant ordinari? Gratus episcopus dixit: Si post deposita universa et reddita ratiocinia actus vitae ipsorum fuerint comprobati in omnibus, debeant et cum laude cleri si postulatus fuerit honore munerari; si enim ante libertatem negotiorum vel officiorum ab aliquo sine consideratione fuerit ordinatus, ecclesia infamatur. Universi dixerunt: Recte omnia statuit sanctitas tua, ideo quae tua est, nostra est quoque sententia. ### English translation (Claude) Magnus, bishop of Astuaga, said: "What seems good to your love? Ought managers and agents, and also guardians or trustees of wards, to be ordained?" Bishop Gratus said: "If, after laying everything down and rendering their accounts, the conduct of their life has been approved in all things, they ought, if requested, to be honoured with rank, with the praise of the clergy. For if anyone is ordained by someone without consideration before he is free of business or offices, the church is defamed." All said: "Your holiness has decided everything rightly; therefore your sentence is ours also." ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Carth. I 8 (Lauchert, 154–155; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-8). ## Canon 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-9 - Source: Lauchert, 155 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Masters may not compel clerics to serve as their storekeepers or accountants; the church will defend clerics against such demands. ### Latin text Mettun Cannensis episcopus dixit: Recte statutum est, ut obnoxii negotiis alienis non ordinentur; tamen si dimissi, et gratias referre debent et a clericorum iniuria temperare: et ipsis non liceat vel dominis clericos nostros eligere apothecarios vel ratiocinatores. Gratus episcopus dixit: Nulli dubium est, quod omnes vel domini vel procuratores vel quicumque praesunt, quum audierint saluberrima instituta concilii et sibi esse consultum nec impeditum, propriam inhibebunt iniuriam in clericis nostris; quod si in iniuriam constitutionis imperatoriae clericos inquietandos putaverint, et defensio ecclesiastica non deerit et pudor publicus vindicabitur. Universi dixerunt: Saluberrimae provisiones debuerunt tanto condi concilio. ### English translation (Claude) Mettun, bishop of Canna, said: "It has rightly been decreed that those bound to the affairs of others should not be ordained; yet if they are released, they ought both to give thanks and to refrain from injuring clerics; and let it not be permitted even to their masters to choose our clerics as storekeepers or accountants." Bishop Gratus said: "No one doubts that all, whether masters or managers or whoever are in charge, when they hear the most salutary ordinances of the council and that their interest has been considered and not hindered, will restrain their own injury against our clerics; but if, to the injury of the imperial constitution, they think clerics should be troubled, the church's defence will not be lacking, and public shame will be avenged." All said: "Most salutary provisions ought to be framed by so great a council." ### Translation notes - "The imperial constitution": the laws exempting clerics from such public and private duties. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Carth. I 9 (Lauchert, 155; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-9). ## Canon 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-10 - Source: Lauchert, 155 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: No bishop may intrude into another's territory or people without his request. ### Latin text Felix episcopus Baiensis dixit: Nullus debet collegae facere iniuriam. Multi enim et transcendunt suas et usurpant alienas plebes, ipsis invitis. Gratus episcopus dixit: Avaritiae cupiditatem radicem omnium malorum esse nemo est qui dubitet: proinde inhibendum est, ne quis alienos fines usurpet, aut transcendat episcopum collegam suum, et usurpet alterius plebes sine eius petitu, quia inde cetera mala omnia generantur. Universi dixerunt: Placet, placet. ### English translation (Claude) Felix, bishop of Baia, said: "No one ought to do injury to a colleague. For many both overstep their own people and appropriate others' people against their will." Bishop Gratus said: "There is no one who doubts that the desire of avarice is the root of all evils; therefore it must be forbidden that anyone appropriate the territory of others, or overstep his colleague the bishop, and appropriate the people of another without his request, because from this all the other evils are born." All said: "It pleases, it pleases." ### Scripture references - 1 Tim 6:10: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - "The root of all evils": 1 Tim 6:10. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Carth. I 10 (Lauchert, 155; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-10). ## Canon 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-11 - Source: Lauchert, 155–156 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Insolent clerics are disciplined; a deacon is tried by three bishops, a presbyter by six, a bishop by twelve. ### Latin text Elpidephorus Cuiculitanus episcopus dixit: Statuat sanctitas vestra, ut clerici, qui superbi vel contumaces sunt, coerceantur; qui minores sunt et maioribus irrogaverint iniurias, metum habeant disciplinae. Gratus episcopus dixit: Manifestum est illum non esse dei, qui humilitatem condemnat, sed diaboli qui superbiae inventor et princeps est: unde si quis tumidus vel contumeliosus extiterit in maiorem natu vel aliquam causam habuerit, a tribus vicinis episcopis, si diaconus est qui arguitur; si presbyter est, a sex; si episcopus, a duodecim consacerdotibus audiatur. Universi episcopi dixerunt: Contundi debet contumacia, et superbia in omnibus frangi; causae vero pro personis ab statuto numero audiantur. ### English translation (Claude) Elpidephorus, bishop of Cuicul, said: "Let your holiness decree that clerics who are proud or insolent be restrained; let those who are lower and have done injury to their superiors fear discipline." Bishop Gratus said: "It is manifest that one who condemns humility is not of God, but of the devil, who is the inventor and prince of pride. Hence if anyone has shown himself arrogant or insulting toward one older, or has some case against him, let him be heard by three neighbouring bishops if the accused is a deacon; if he is a presbyter, by six; if a bishop, by twelve fellow priests." All the bishops said: "Insolence must be crushed, and pride broken in all; but let cases be heard, according to the persons, by the fixed number." ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Carth. I 11 (Lauchert, 155–156; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-11). ## Canon 12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-12 - Source: Lauchert, 156 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Agreements between bishops dividing their people must be kept; a bishop who breaks one faces church discipline. ### Latin text Antigonus episcopus Maginensis dixit: Gravem iniuriam patior, et credo dolere sanctitatem vestram contumeliam meam, et computare communem iniuriam. Optantius quum se repraesentaret pactum mecum habuit, et divisimus plebes; manus nostrae tenentur et pittacia. Contra hoc pactum circuit plebes mihi attributas et susurrat populis ut illum patrem, me vitricum nominent. Gratus episcopus dixit: Pactum hoc dolendum est, ut in se illiciant populorum imperitorum animos contra disciplinam, contra evangelicam traditionem, contra placita pacis; nam si sibi posse contingere arbitrarentur, nunquam profecto in fratrem aliquis deliquisset: unde aut inita pacta sui obtineant firmitatem, aut conventus, si se non cohibuerit, ecclesiasticam sentiet disciplinam. Universi dixerunt: Pax servetur, pacta custodiantur. ### English translation (Claude) Antigonus, bishop of Maginum, said: "I suffer a grave injury, and I believe your holiness grieves at my insult and counts it a common injury. Optantius, when he presented himself, made an agreement with me, and we divided the people; our signatures and the documents are held. Against this agreement he goes round the people assigned to me and whispers to the people that they should call him father and me stepfather." Bishop Gratus said: "This agreement-breaking is to be deplored, that men entice to themselves the minds of ignorant people against discipline, against the tradition of the Gospel, against the decisions of peace; for if they thought the same could happen to themselves, surely no one would ever have wronged a brother. Hence either let agreements entered into keep their force, or the one summoned, if he does not restrain himself, will feel the discipline of the church." All said: "Let peace be kept; let agreements be observed." ### Translation notes - "This agreement-breaking" renders "Pactum hoc" by sense (Gratus deplores the breach of the agreement). ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Carth. I 12 (Lauchert, 156; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-12). ## Canon 13 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-13 - Source: Lauchert, 156–157 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Clerics may not lend at interest, since Scripture plainly forbids it to all. ### Latin text Abundantius episcopus Adrumetinus dixit: In nostro concilio statutum est, ut non liceat clericis foenerari: quid etiam sanctitati tuae et huic concilio videtur, praesenti placito designetur. Gratus episcopus dixit: Novella suggestio: quae vel obscura sunt vel sub genere latent, inspecta a nobis formam accipient. Ceterum de quibus apertissime divina scriptura sanxit non ferenda sententia est, sed potius exequenda. Proinde quod in laicis deprehenditur, id multo magis debet in clericis praedamnari. Universi dixerunt: Nemo contra prophetas, nemo contra evangelia facit sine periculo. ### English translation (Claude) Abundantius, bishop of Hadrumetum, said: "It was decreed in our council that clerics may not lend at interest; let what your holiness and this council also think be set down by the present decision." Bishop Gratus said: "A new proposal: things that are obscure or hidden under a general heading will take shape when we have examined them. But on matters which the divine Scripture has most plainly ordained, no sentence is to be passed; rather it is to be carried out. Therefore what is condemned in laymen ought much more to be condemned beforehand in clerics." All said: "No one acts against the prophets, no one against the Gospels, without danger." ### Scripture references - Ps 15:5 (14:5 LXX): allusion, medium confidence - Ezek 18:8: allusion, low confidence - Exod 22:25: allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - The prohibition of interest rests on texts such as Exod 22:25; Ps 15:5; Ezek 18:8; Luke 6:34–35. "Our council": a provincial council of Byzacena. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Carth. I 13 (Lauchert, 156–157; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-13). ## Canon 14 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-14 - Source: Lauchert, 157 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Gratus confirms all the decrees, with excommunication or deposition for those who violate them, and the bishops subscribe. ### Latin text Gratus episcopus dixit: iuxta statuta concili et meae mediocritatis sententiam placet facere rerum omnium conclusionem: universi tituli designati et digesti teneant sententias suas. Sane credo vos tenere, multis conciliis a patribus nostris et traditione esse damnatam et rebaptizationis impietatem esse puniendam, quas res etiam nostro concilio credo iam terminum accepisse. Reliqua vero, quae vel facta vel dicta superius comprehensa sunt vel aliis conciliis conscripta secundum legem inveniuntur, custodire nos oportet. Si quis vero statuta supergressus corruperit, vel pro nihilo habenda putaverit, si laicus est, communione, si clericus est, honore privetur. Universi dixerunt: Placet, placet. Gratus episcopus dixit: Superest iam, ut placita omnium nostrum, quae ad consensum vestrum sunt scripta, vestra quoque subscriptione firmetis. Universi dixerunt: Et consensisse nos concili huius scripta testantur, et subscriptione nostra consensus declarabitur noster. Et subscripserunt. ### English translation (Claude) Bishop Gratus said: "According to the decrees of the council and the sentence of my lowliness, it pleases us to make a conclusion of all matters: let all the headings set down and arranged keep their sentences. I believe you hold that by many councils of our fathers, and by tradition, the impiety of rebaptism has been condemned and is to be punished; and these matters, I believe, have now received an end in our council too. But the rest, which has been done or said and is included above, or is found written in other councils according to the law, we must keep. If anyone, overstepping the decrees, corrupts them or thinks they should be held as nothing, if he is a layman, let him be deprived of communion; if a cleric, of his rank." All said: "It pleases, it pleases." Bishop Gratus said: "It remains now that you confirm by your subscription too the decisions of all of us, which have been written with your consent." All said: "The writings of this council testify that we have consented, and our consent will be declared by our subscription." And they subscribed. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Carth. I 14 (Lauchert, 157; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-345/0/#p-14).