Codex of the African Church: the canons of the African councils after 397 57–92
Latin text: Bruns (1839) (Latin text: Bruns (1839), OCR of the archive.org scan).English: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), public domain (CC0).
Chapter 57
57Bruns 1:170
Unde quoniam superiori concilio statutum esse mecum recognoscit unanimitas vestra, ut hi qui apud Donatistas parvuli baptizati sunt, nondum scire valentes erroris eorum interitum, et posteaquam ad aetatem rationis capacem pervenerunt, agnita veritate falsitatem eorum abhorrentes ad ecclesiam dei catholicam per universum mundum diffusam ordine antiquo per manus impositionem recepti sunt: debere talibus suscipiendum munus clericatus non impedire nomen erroris, cum veram ecclesiam illorum putaverint ad fidem accedendo et ibi Christo crediderint et trinitatis sacramenta perceperint; quae omnia vera et sancta atque divina esse certissimum est et in his omnem animae spem constitutam, quamquam et haereticorum praesumpta audacia, veritatis nomine palliata, haec tradere audeat; quae quoniam simplicia sunt, ut praemonet beatus apostolus dicendo: Unus deus, una fides, unum baptisma, et iterari non liceat, quod semel dari oportet: anathematizato nomine erroris recipiantur per manus impositionem in unam ecclesiam, columbam, ut dictum est, et unam matrem omnium christianorum, ubi omnia illa sacramenta salubriter et aeterne et vitaliter accipiuntur, quae perseverantibus in haeresi magnam damnationis poenam conquirunt, ut quod eis in veritate ad aeternam vitam consequendam esset luminosius, hoc in errore sit tenebrosius atque damnosius. Quod fugientes nonnulli et matris ecclesiae ubera cognoscentes, qui illa omnia sancta mysteria amore veritatis crediderunt atque perceperunt, quibus sacramentorum rebus cum vitae bonae probitas accesserit, sine dubio ad officium clericatus tales esse applicandos et maxime in tanta rerum necessitate, nullus est qui non concedat; quamquam nonnulli ejusdem sectae clerici cum plebibus atque honoribus suis ad nos transire desiderent, qui amore honoris aut persuadent ad vitam aut retinent ad salutem. Sed hoc majori fratrum statu et salute ecclesiae magis magisque ubique repellenda. Et subscripserunt, Aurelius episcopus ecclesiae Carthaginensis, huic decreto consensi et praelecto subscripsi. Similiter et ceteri episcopi subscripserunt.
Since, then, your unanimity recognizes with me that it was decreed at the previous council that those who were baptized as little children among the Donatists, not yet able to know the ruin of their error, and who afterwards, when they reached the age capable of reason, recognized the truth, abhorred their falsehood, and were received into the catholic church of God spread through the whole world by the ancient order, through the laying on of hands: the name of the error ought not to prevent such persons from undertaking the office of the clergy, since in coming to the faith they thought theirs was the true church, and there believed in Christ and received the sacraments of the Trinity. All these are most certainly true, holy, and divine, and in them all the hope of the soul is placed, although the presumptuous audacity of heretics, cloaked with the name of truth, dares to hand them on. Since these are single, as the blessed Apostle warns us beforehand, saying, "One God, one faith, one baptism," and what ought to be given once may not be repeated, let them, the name of the error being anathematized, be received by the laying on of hands into the one church, the dove, as has been said, and the one mother of all Christians, where all those sacraments are received unto salvation, eternally and life-givingly, which for those who persist in heresy procure a great penalty of damnation; so that what in the truth would be the more luminous for obtaining eternal life is in error the more dark and damning. That some, fleeing this and recognizing the breasts of mother church, who believed and received all those holy mysteries out of love of the truth, should without doubt be appointed to the office of the clergy when uprightness of good life is joined to the reality of the sacraments, especially in so great a need, there is no one who does not grant; although some clerics of that same sect wish to come over to us with their peoples and their ranks, who out of love of rank either persuade others to life or keep them for salvation. But this … for the greater welfare of the brothers and the salvation of the church, to be repelled more and more everywhere. And they subscribed: I, Aurelius, bishop of the church of Carthage, have consented to this decree and, after it was read, have subscribed. Likewise the other bishops also subscribed.
Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.
Eph 4:5 (quotation, high confidence) · Song 6:9 (allusion, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Those baptized as children among the Donatists who later join the catholic church by the laying on of hands may be ordained clergy.
- Item 57 of the Codex (Carthage, 401). "One God, one faith, one baptism": Eph 4:5–6. "The dove": Song 6:9 (Song 6:8 in some numberings), a common African image of the one church.
- The last two sentences before the subscription are corrupt or incomplete in the edition ("Sed hoc majori fratrum statu et salute ecclesiae magis magisque ubique repellenda"); translated with "…".
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): trinitatis. → trinitatis; sanctà → sancta; christiano rum, → christianorum,; eccipiuntur, → accipiuntur,; errore,sit → errore sit; amere → amore; quamquam nonnull ejusdem → quamquam nonnulli ejusdem; retinent.ad → retinent ad; Salutem. → salutem.; ecclesiae. → ecclesiae; repellenda. Kt subscripserunt, → repellenda. Et subscripserunt,; ' ceteri → ceteri.
Topics: Baptism, Church office, Heresy
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 57 (Bruns 1:170; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-57). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
57.0Bruns 1:169
In hoc concilio statutum est, ut episcopi sine formata non navigent. Caesario et Attico viris clarissimis consulibus, VII Kalendas Julias, Carthagine placuit, ut nullus episcoporum naviget sine formata primatis. Gesta in authenticis, qui quaeret, inveniet. De concilio isto legati ad imperatores infra scripti diriguntur episcopi. Post consulatum gloriosissimi imperatoris Honorii augusti IV. et Eutychiani viri clarissimi, V. Kalendas Majas, Carthagine in secretario basilicae restitutae, In hoc concilio legationem Susceperunt Epigonius et Vincentius episcopi, ut pro confugientibus ad ecclesiam, quocumque reatu involutis, legem de gloriosissimis principibus mereantur, ne quis eos audeat abstrahere. In hoc concilio legatio destinatur ad Romanum et Mediolanensem episcopos de parvulis qui apud haereticos baptizati sunt, et ad imperatorem de idolorum reliquiis auferendis et de aliis rebus quam plurimis... Post consulatum Fl. Stiliconis viri clarissimi, XVI. Kalendas Julias, Carthagine in secretario basilicae, cum Aurelius episcopus una cum episcopis suis consedisset adstantibus diaconis, Aurelius episcopus dixit: Ecclesiarum dei per Africam constitutarum necessitates mecum optime novit caritas vestra, sanctissimi fratres, et quoniam praestitit dominus ut ex aliqua parte sancti coetus vestri esset congregata praesentia: videtur mihi ut has easdem necessitates, quas pro sollicitudine nostra indagare potuimus, in medium proferamus, quas cum approbaverit vestra sinceritas, sit consequens, eligendum esse unum e nostro numero consacerdotem, qui auxiliante domino et orationibus vestris et has ipsas necessitates suscipere possit et gnaviter peragendas implere, perrecturus ad transmarinas Italiae partes ut tam sanctis fratribus et consacerdotibus nostris, venerabili sancto fratri Anastasio sedis apostolicae episcopo, quam etiam sancto fratri Venerio sacerdoti Mediolanensis ecclesiae necessitatem ipsam ac dolorem atque inopiam nostram valeat intimare, Ex his enim sedibus hoc fuerat prohibitum, quod noverint communi periculo providendum; maxime quia tanta indigentia clericorum est multaeque ecclesiae ita desertae sunt, ut ne unum quidem diaconum, vel inliteratum, habere reperiantur. Nam de ceteris superioribus gradibus et officiis tacendum arbitror, quia, ut dixi, si ministerium diaconi facile non invenitur, multo magis superiorum honorum inveniri non posse certissimum est, et quotidie nos planctus diversarum pene emortuarum plebium jam non sustinemus; quibus nisi fuerit aliquando subventum, gravis nobis et inexcusabilis innumerabilium animarum pereuntium causa apud deum mansura est.
At this council it was decreed that bishops should not sail without a letter of credence. In the consulship of the most illustrious Caesarius and Atticus, on the seventh day before the Kalends of July, at Carthage, it was decided that no bishop should sail without a letter of credence from the primate. Whoever seeks the proceedings will find them in the authentic records. From this council the bishops written below are sent as legates to the emperors. After the fourth consulship of the most glorious emperor Honorius Augustus and that of the most illustrious Eutychianus, on the fifth day before the Kalends of May, at Carthage, in the sacristy of the Basilica Restituta. At this council the bishops Epigonius and Vincent undertook an embassy, to obtain from the most glorious princes a law on behalf of those who take refuge in the church, whatever the charge in which they are involved, that no one may dare to drag them away. At this council an embassy is sent to the bishops of Rome and Milan concerning little children baptized among the heretics, and to the emperor concerning the removal of the remains of idols and very many other matters. After the consulship of the most illustrious Flavius Stilicho, on the sixteenth day before the Kalends of July, at Carthage, in the sacristy of the basilica, when Bishop Aurelius had taken his seat together with his bishops, the deacons standing by, Bishop Aurelius said: "Your love knows very well with me, most holy brothers, the needs of the churches of God established throughout Africa; and since the Lord has granted that the presence of your holy assembly should be gathered in some part, it seems to me that we should set before you these same needs, which in our concern we have been able to discover. When your sincerity has approved them, it follows that one of our number, a fellow priest, is to be chosen who, with the Lord's help and your prayers, may take up these needs and diligently carry them through, going to the regions of Italy beyond the sea, so that he may make known to our holy brothers and fellow priests, the venerable and holy brother Anastasius, bishop of the apostolic see, and also the holy brother Venerius, priest of the church of Milan, this very need and our grief and want. For from these sees it had been forbidden, so that they may know that provision must be made for the common danger; especially because there is such a shortage of clergy, and many churches are so deserted that they are found to have not even one deacon, even an unlettered one. For of the other higher ranks and offices I think I should say nothing, since, as I said, if the ministry of a deacon is not easily found, it is most certain that much less can those of higher ranks be found; and daily we can no longer bear the laments of various peoples almost dead. Unless they are helped at some time, a grave and inexcusable case of innumerable souls perishing will remain against us before God."
Notes and citation
Summary: Dating notices and summaries of the councils of 397, 399, and June 401, and Aurelius's opening address on the shortage of clergy.
- The staged ref holds the notices printed by Bruns between items 56 and 57: Carthage, 26 June 397 (Caesarius and Atticus consuls); 27 April 399; and 16 June 401, with the opening of Aurelius's address. The consular dates are converted here by the usual reckoning.
- "Letter of credence" renders formata, the sealed letter of communion. "Basilica Restituta": the cathedral of Carthage.
- "From these sees it had been forbidden" refers to the prohibition (by the transmarine council) on receiving Donatist clergy in their ranks; see item 68. The items numbered 58–65 in the Codex are not in the staged text.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): EP Caesario → Caesario; clarissimis consulibus, VIL Kalendas. → clarissimis consulibus, VII Kalendas; inveniet. á → inveniet.; M | In → In; «cum → cum; dixit; → dixit:; sinceritas Sit consequens, → sinceritas, sit consequens,; íratri → fratri; prohibitum,. → prohibitum,; provi-: dendum; → providendum;; diaconum, vgl inliteratum, → diaconum, vel inliteratum,; mini- Sterium → ministerium; diacóni → diaconi; est. ' → est..
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 57.0 (Bruns 1:169; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-57-0). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 66
66Bruns 1:172
Deinde pertractatis et consideratis omnibus quae utilitati ecclesiae convenire videbantur, annuente atque admonente spiritu dei, elegimus cum memoratis hominibus, quamvis de dominici corporis unitate inquieta dissensione praecisis, leniter et pacifice agere, ut quantum in nobis est omnibus, qui eorum communione et societate irretiti sunt, per universas provincias Africanas penitus innotescat, quam miserabili errore devincti sunt diversa sentientes, ne forte, sicut dicit apostolus, nobis in mansuetudine corripientibus, det illis deus poenitentiam ad cognoscendam veritatem et resipiscant de diaboli laqueis, captivati ab ipso ad ipsius voluntatem.
Then, having treated and considered everything that seemed to serve the good of the church, with the Spirit of God consenting and prompting us, we chose to act gently and peaceably with the men mentioned, although they are cut off from the unity of the Lord's body by restless dissension, so that, as far as lies in us, it may become thoroughly known through all the African provinces to all who are entangled in their communion and fellowship by how miserable an error they are bound in holding different views; if perhaps, as the Apostle says, when we correct them in gentleness, God may give them repentance to know the truth, and they may come to their senses out of the snares of the devil, by whom they are held captive to his will.
2 Tim 2:25 (quotation, high confidence) · 2 Tim 2:26 (quotation, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The council resolves to deal gently and peaceably with the Donatists.
- Quotation: 2 Tim 2:25–26.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): spirtu → spiritu; de.dominici → de dominici; sentientes, me forte, → sentientes, ne forte,.
Topics: Heresy
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 66 (Bruns 1:172; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-66). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
66.0Bruns 1:170
In hoc concilio literae leguntur Anastasii Romani pontificis, de Donatistis catholicos episcopos admonentis. Vincentio et Flavio viris clarissimis consulibus, Idibus Septembris, Carthagine in secretario basilicae restitutae, cum in concilio congregati in ecclesia Carthaginensi consedissemus, ex Africanis omnibus provinciis episcopi, id est Aurelius ejusdem sedis episcopus cum collegis suis, quos eorum subscriptio manifestat ait idem Aurelius episcopus: Recitatis epistolis beatissimi fratris et consacerdotis nostri Anastasii ecclesiae Romanae episcopi, quibus nos paternae et fraternae caritatis sollicitudine ac sinceritate adhortatus est, ut de haereticorum et schismaticorum Donatistarum insidiis et improbitatibus, quibus Africanam ecclesiam catholicam graviter vexant, nullo modo dissimulemus, gratias agimus domino nostro, quod illi optimo ac sancto antistiti suo tam piam curam pro membris Christi, quamvis in diversitate terrarum, sed in una compage corporis constitutis, inspirare dignatus est.
At this council the letters of Anastasius, Roman pontiff, are read, admonishing the catholic bishops concerning the Donatists. In the consulship of the most illustrious Vincent and Flavius, on the Ides of September, at Carthage, in the sacristy of the Basilica Restituta, when we had taken our seats in council in the church of Carthage, bishops from all the African provinces, that is, Aurelius, bishop of that see, with his colleagues, whom their subscription shows, the same Bishop Aurelius said: "The letters of our most blessed brother and fellow priest Anastasius, bishop of the Roman church, having been read, in which he exhorted us with the concern and sincerity of fatherly and brotherly love not in any way to overlook the snares and wickedness of the heretical and schismatic Donatists, by which they gravely trouble the catholic church of Africa, we give thanks to our Lord that he has deigned to inspire in that excellent and holy bishop of his so devout a care for the members of Christ, who, though in different lands, are set in the one framework of the body."
Eph 4:16 (echo, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The council of 13 September 401 receives the letters of Anastasius of Rome urging action against the Donatists.
- Dating notice and opening of the council of Carthage, 13 September 401 (Vincent and Flavius consuls). Anastasius's letters are lost. "One framework of the body" recalls Eph 4:16.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): 44nastasii → Anastasii; réstitutae, → restitutae,; subscriptio. → subscriptio; HRecitatis → Recitatis; Gonsacertis → consacerdotis; Dongtistarum → Donatistarum; ilii → illi; quamvis in, diversitate → quamvis in diversitate.
Topics: Heresy, Church office
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 66.0 (Bruns 1:170; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-66-0). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 67
67Bruns 1:172
Itaque placuit, ut ex concilio nostro literae darentur ad judices Africanos, a quibus hoc peti congruum videretur, ut in hoc adjuvent communem matrem ecclesiam catholicam, in quo episcopalis auctoritas communiri in civitatibus potest; id est ut judiciaria potestate atque diligentia ex fide christiana quid gestum sit in omnibus locis, in quibus Maximianistae basilicas obtinuerunt, qui ab eis schisma fecerunt, inquirant et gestis publicis propter firmam notitiam omnibus necessariam faciant inhaerere.
Therefore it was decided that letters be given from our council to the African judges, from whom it seemed fitting to request this, that they help the common mother, the catholic church, in this, in which episcopal authority in the cities can be strengthened: that is, that by judicial power and diligence, out of Christian faith, they inquire what was done in all the places where the Maximianists, who made a schism from them, obtained basilicas, and have it entered in the public records, for the sure knowledge necessary to all.
Notes and citation
Summary: Letters are to be sent to the African magistrates asking them to record publicly what the Donatists did to the Maximianists, who had split from them.
- The Maximianists were a schism within Donatism (393); the catholic bishops wished to show that the Donatists had readmitted Maximianists without rebaptism.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): id eBt ut → id est ut; inhaerere.: → inhaerere..
Topics: Heresy
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 67 (Bruns 1:172; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-67). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 68
68Bruns 1:172
Deinde placuit, ut literae mittantur ad fratres et coépiscopos nostros, et maxime ad sedem apostolicam, in qua praesidet memoratus venerabilis frater et collega noster Anastasius, quo noverit habere Africam magnam necessitatem propter ecclesiae pacem et utilitatem, ut et ipsis Donatistis quicumque clerici correcto consilio ad catholicam unitatem transire voluerint, secundum uniuscujusque episcopi catholici voluntatem atque consilium, qui in eodem loco gubernat ecclesiam, si hoc paci christianae prodesse visum fuerit, in suis honoribus suscipiantur, sicut prioribus ejusdem divisionis temporibus factum esse manifestum est. Quod multarum et pene omnium Africanarum ecclesiarum, in quibus talis error exortus est, exempla testantur: non ut concilium quod in transmarinis partibus de hac re factum est dissolvatur, sed ut illud maneat circa eos qui sic transire ad catholicam volunt, ut nulla per eos unitatis concisio procuretur. Per quos autem vel omni modo perfici vel adjuvari manifestis fraternarum animarum lucris catholica unitas in locis in quibus degunt visa fuerit, non eis obsit, quod contra honores eorum, quamvis salus nulli interclusa sit, in transmarino concilio statutum est: id est ut ordinati in parte Donati, si ad catholicam correcti transire voluerint, non suscipiantur in honoribus suis secundum transmarinum concilium; sed exceptis his, per quos catholicae unitati consulitur.
Then it was decided that letters be sent to our brothers and fellow bishops, and above all to the apostolic see, over which our aforementioned venerable brother and colleague Anastasius presides, so that he may know that Africa has a great need, for the peace and good of the church, that any clerics of the Donatists themselves who, having changed their mind, wish to pass over to catholic unity may be received in their ranks, according to the will and counsel of each catholic bishop who governs the church in that place, if this seems to benefit Christian peace, as it is clear was done in the earlier times of that same division. This the examples of many, and nearly all, of the African churches in which such an error arose bear witness: not so that the council held on this matter beyond the sea be undone, but so that it may stand with regard to those who wish to pass over to the catholic church in such a way that no breach of unity is brought about through them. But those through whom catholic unity is seen to be wholly accomplished, or helped by manifest gains of brothers' souls, in the places where they live, let it not be held against them what was decreed against their ranks in the council beyond the sea, though salvation is closed to no one: namely, that those ordained in the party of Donatus, if they wish to pass over corrected to the catholic church, are not to be received in their ranks according to the council beyond the sea; but with the exception of those through whom the good of catholic unity is served.
Notes and citation
Summary: Rome is to be asked to allow converted Donatist clergy to keep their ranks where this serves unity, as an exception to the overseas council's ruling.
- "The council beyond the sea" (transmarinum concilium): probably a Roman or Italian synod that forbade receiving Donatist clergy in their ranks; its identity is uncertain.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): memoratus. → memoratus; collega. → collega; babere → habere; se cundum → secundum; 'consilium, → consilium,; suscipian-' tur, → suscipiantur,; ' concilium; → concilium;.
Topics: Church office, Heresy
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 68 (Bruns 1:172; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-68). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 69
69Bruns 1:173
Deinde placuit, ut his peractis legati etiam praedicandae pacis atque unitatis, sine qua salus christiana non potest obtineri, e numero nostro ad ipsorum Donatistarum sive quos habent episcopos sive ad plebes mittantur, per quos omnibus in notitiam perferatur, quam nihil habeant, quod adversus ecclesiam catholicam juste possint dicere; maxime ut manifestum fiat omnibus per gesta etiam municipalia, propter documentorum firmitatem, quid ipsi de Maximianistis schismaticis suis egerint; ubi eis divinitus demonstratur, si attendere velint, tam inique tunc illos ab ecclesiae unitate praecisos, quam inique nunc clamant a se Maximianistas schisma fecisse: ex quorum tamen numero quos jam plenarii concilii sui auctoritate damnaverant in suis honoribus denuo receperunt, baptismum quem damnati et exclusi dederant acceptaverunt, ut videant, quam stulto corde resistant paci ecclesiae toto orbe diffusae, cum ista faciant pro parte Donati, neque se istorum, quos ita receperunt, communione propter intuitum pacis contaminari dicant, et nos condemnent, id est ecclesiam catholicam, etiam in extremis terrarum partibus constitutam, per eorum communionem inquinatam, quos tunc accusantes convincere nequiverunt.
Then it was decided that, when these things have been done, legates also be sent from our number to proclaim peace and unity, without which Christian salvation cannot be obtained, to the Donatists themselves, whether to the bishops they have or to the peoples, through whom it may be brought to the knowledge of all how they have nothing they can justly say against the catholic church; above all, that it may be made plain to all, through municipal records too, for the firmness of the documents, what they themselves did about the Maximianists, their own schismatics. There it is shown them by God, if they will pay attention, that they were as unjustly cut off then from the unity of the church as they now unjustly cry out that the Maximianists made a schism from them; and yet from their number, those whom they had condemned by the authority of their own plenary council they received again in their ranks, and accepted the baptism which the condemned and excluded had given; so that they may see with how foolish a heart they resist the peace of the church spread through the whole world, when they do these things on the side of Donatus, and do not say that they are defiled by the communion of those whom they have so received, for the sake of peace; and yet condemn us, that is, the catholic church established even in the furthest parts of the earth, as defiled by the communion of those whom they could not convict when they accused them then.
Notes and citation
Summary: Envoys are to show the Donatists from public records that they themselves readmitted Maximianists, and so cannot condemn the catholic church for communion with those they accused.
- The argument is the council's own polemic against the Donatists; translated as written.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): obtineri;, → obtineri,; sivé → sive; iunc → tunc; clamant à se → clamant a se; fa-. ciant → faciant; feceperunt, → receperunt,.
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 69 (Bruns 1:173; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-69). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 70
70Bruns 1:173
Praeterea cum de quorundam clericorum, quamvis erga uxores proprias, incontinentia referretur, placuit, episcopos et presbyteros et diaconos secundum priora statuta etiam ab uxoribus continere: quod nisi fecerint ab ecclesiastico removeantur officio, ceteros autem clericos ad hoc non cogi, sed secundum uniuscujusque ecclesiae consuetudinem observari debere.
Moreover, since a report was made about the incontinence of certain clerics, although with their own wives, it was decided that bishops, presbyters, and deacons, according to the earlier decrees, should abstain even from their wives; and if they do not, let them be removed from ecclesiastical office. But the other clerics are not to be compelled to this; rather, the custom of each church ought to be observed.
Notes and citation
Summary: Bishops, presbyters, and deacons must abstain from relations with their wives or be removed from office; lower clergy follow local custom.
- Translated as written. "The earlier decrees": Carthage (390), canon 2. The canon assumes married clergy and requires continence of the three higher ranks.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): fecerint eb ecclesiastico → fecerint ab ecclesiastico; debere. - → debere..
Topics: Marriage, Church office
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 70 (Bruns 1:173; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-70). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 71
71Bruns 1:174
Rursus placuit, ut nemini sit facultas relicta principali cathedra ad aliquam ecclesiam in dioecesi constitutam se conferre, vel in re propria diutius quam oportet constitutum curam vel frequentationem propriae cathedrae negligere.
Again it was decided that no one is to be free to leave his principal see and betake himself to some church established in his diocese, or to neglect the care or frequent attendance of his own see by staying on his own property longer than he ought.
Notes and citation
Summary: A bishop may not leave his principal see for a church in his district or neglect it by staying on his estates.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): curan → curam.
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 71 (Bruns 1:174; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-71). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 72
72Bruns 1:174
Breviar. Hippon. c. 39 (sine subscriptionibus). -
[Same as the Breviary of Hippo, canon 39, without the subscriptions.]
Notes and citation
Summary: On baptizing infants when it is doubtful whether they were baptized; the edition prints only a cross-reference to the Breviary of Hippo.
- Bruns heads this item "On baptizing infants whenever it is doubtful whether [they were baptized]" and prints it only as a reference to the Breviary of Hippo, canon 39 ("sine subscriptionibus"); the text is not printed here. The Breviary's numbering differs from the numbering of the Carthage 397 canons on this site, so no link is given.
Topics: Baptism
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 72 (Bruns 1:174; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-72). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 73
73Bruns 1:174
Item placuit, ut dies venerabilis paschae formatarum subscriptione omnibus intimetur; dies vero concilii idem servetur, qui in Hipponensi concilio constitutus est, id est X. Kalendas Septembris, et scribendum ad singularum quarumque provinciarum primates, ut quando apud se concilium congregant, istum diem non impediant.
Also it was decided that the day of the venerable Pascha be made known to all by the subscription of letters of credence; and that the day of the council be kept the same as was fixed at the council of Hippo, that is, the tenth day before the Kalends of September; and that it be written to the primates of each of the provinces that, when they gather a council at home, they should not hinder this day.
Notes and citation
Summary: The date of Easter is to be announced by letters, and the annual council is to meet on 23 August, as fixed at Hippo.
- "The council of Hippo": Hippo (393), whose canons are preserved in the Breviary of Hippo.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): formatarurh → formatarum.
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 73 (Bruns 1:174; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-73). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 74
74Bruns 1:174
Item constitutum est, ut nulli intercessori licitum sit cathedram, cui intercessor datus est, quibuslibet populorum studiis vel seditionibus retinere, sed dare operam, ut intra annum eisdem episcopum provideat: quod si neglexerit, anno exempto interventor alius tribuatur. [75] Ab imperatoribus universis visum est postulandum propter afflictionem pauperum, quorum molestiis sine intermissione fatigatur ecclesia, ut defensores eis adversus potentias divitum cum episcoporum provisione delegentur.
Also it was decreed that no intercessor may retain the see to which he has been given as intercessor, through any partisanship or riots of the people, but should take care to provide them with a bishop within a year; and if he neglects this, when the year has passed another intervener is to be appointed. [75] It seemed good to all that the emperors be asked, because of the affliction of the poor, by whose troubles the church is wearied without ceasing, that defenders be appointed for them against the power of the rich, with the oversight of the bishops.
Notes and citation
Summary: An interim administrator of a vacant see may not keep it and must provide a bishop within a year; the emperors are to be asked for defenders of the poor.
- "Intercessor" (intercessor, interventor): a bishop appointed to administer a vacant see.
- Item 75 begins inside this staged ref; its numeral and heading ("On asking the emperors for defenders of the churches") are removed and the start is marked [75].
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): intereessor → intercessor; stu-. dis vel → studiis vel; LXXF. De defensoribus ecclesiarum ab imperatoribus poscendis. → [75]; est. → est; delegentur ). → delegentur..
Topics: Church office, Ethics
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 74 (Bruns 1:174; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-74). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 76
76Bruns 1:174
Item placuit, ut quotiescumque concilium congregandum est, episcopi, qui neque aetate neque aegritudine neque aliqua graviori necessitate impediuntur, competenter occurrant et primatibus suarum quarumque provinciarum intimetur, ut de universis episcopis vel duae vel tres turmae fiant, et de singulis turmis vicissim quotquot electi fuerint, ad diem concilii instantissime occurrant: quod si non potuerint occurrere, excusationes suas in tractoria conscribant, vel si post adventum tractoriae aliquae necessitates repente forsitan ortae fuerint, nisi rationem impedimenti sui apud suum primatem reddiderint, ecclesiae suae communione debere esse contentos. [77] De Cresconio Villaregiensi hoc omnibus visum est, ut hinc quoque primati Numidiae intimetur, quo cognoscat memoratum Cresconium scriptis suis conveniendum esse, ut proximo universali Africano concilio suam praesentiam non differat exhibere. Quod si venire contempserit, in se cognoscat sententiam promulgandam.
Also it was decided that whenever a council must be gathered, bishops who are not hindered by age, sickness, or some more serious necessity should duly come; and that the primates of each of their provinces be informed that two or three groups be made of all the bishops, and that from each group in turn as many as are chosen should come most diligently on the day of the council. If they cannot come, let them write their excuses in the summons; or if, after the summons arrives, some necessities perhaps arise suddenly, unless they give an account of their impediment before their primate, they ought to be content with the communion of their own church. [77] Concerning Cresconius of Villa Regia it seemed good to all that the primate of Numidia also be informed from here, so that he may know that the said Cresconius must be summoned by his letters, so that he may not put off presenting himself at the next general African council. And if he scorns to come, let him know that sentence is to be pronounced against him.
Notes and citation
Summary: Bishops must attend councils in rotating groups or send excuses, under pain of being restricted to their own church's communion; Cresconius of Villa Regia is summoned.
- "Content with the communion of their own church": excluded from communion with other churches.
- Item 77 begins inside this staged ref; its numeral and heading ("On Cresconius") are removed and the start is marked [77].
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): fiant, ec de → fiant, et de; gingulis → singulis; eoncili → concilii; occure rere, → occurrere,; LXXVFII. De Cresconio. → [77].
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 76 (Bruns 1:174; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-76). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 78
78Bruns 1:175
Rursus placuit, ut quoniam Hipponensium Diaretorum ecclesiae destitutio non est diutius negligenda, et ecclesiae ibi ab his retinentur, qui Equitii facinorosam communionem declinaverunt, missis ex praesenti concilio episcopis Regino, Alypio, Augustino, Materno, Theasio, Evodio, Placiano, Urbano, Valerio, Ambivio, Fortunato, Quodvultdeo, Honorio, Januario, Apto, Honorato, Ampelio, Victoriano, Evangelo et Rogatiano, conventis et correctis his qui culpabili pertinacia fugam ejusdem Equitii expectandam putabant, cum omnium voto eis episcopus ordinetur. Sin autem illi pacem considerare noluerint, non impediant in eligendo ad ordinandum praeposito utilitatem tanto tempore ecclesiae destitutae.
Again it was decided that, since the desolation of the church of the Hippo Diarrhytorum must no longer be neglected, and the churches there are held by those who refused the criminal communion of Equitius, bishops be sent from the present council, Reginus, Alypius, Augustine, Maternus, Theasius, Evodius, Placianus, Urban, Valerius, Ambivius, Fortunatus, Quodvultdeus, Honorius, Januarius, Aptus, Honoratus, Ampelius, Victorianus, Evangelus, and Rogatianus; and when those who with blameworthy stubbornness thought they should wait for the flight of the same Equitius have been summoned and corrected, let a bishop be ordained for them with the wish of all. But if they will not consider peace, let them not hinder, in the choice of a head to be ordained, the good of a church so long left desolate.
Notes and citation
Summary: A commission of bishops, including Alypius and Augustine, is sent to provide a bishop for Hippo Diarrhytus, deprived of its deposed bishop Equitius.
- Hippo Diarrhytus (Hippo Zarytus, modern Bizerte), not Augustine's Hippo Regius. Equitius had been deposed.
- This is item 78 of the Codex (Bruns prints its numeral as "LXXVI", an OCR misreading); the staged ref 77 is to be renumbered 78 (cn3-renumber.json).
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): Augustino;, → Augustino,; ' Honorato; → Honorato,; Evangelo et. Rogatiano, → Evangelo et Rogatiano,; culpabili' → culpabili; omniuni → omnium.
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 78 (Bruns 1:175; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-78). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 79
79Bruns 1:175
Rursus constitutum est, ut quoties clericis convictis et confessis in aliquo crimine vel propter eorum, quorum verecundiae parcitur vel propter ecclesiae opprobium aut insolentem insultationem haereticorum atque gentium, si forte causae suae adesse voluerint et innocentiam suam asserere, intra annum excommunicationis hoc faciant; si vero intra annum causam suam purgare contempserint, nulla eorum vox postea penitus audiatur.
Again it was decreed that whenever clerics have been convicted of, or have confessed, some crime, either for the sake of those whose shame is spared, or because of the reproach to the church or the insolent mockery of heretics and pagans, if they wish to attend to their case and assert their innocence, they are to do so within a year of their excommunication; but if they neglect to clear their case within a year, no voice of theirs is ever to be heard afterwards.
Notes and citation
Summary: Excommunicated clerics who wish to prove their innocence must bring their case within a year, or lose the right to be heard.
- The sentence is incomplete in the Latin (the clause about those convicted has no main verb before "if they wish"); translated by sense.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): conviciis → convictis; gentlium, → gentium,; faciant; 81 vero → faciant; si vero.
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 79 (Bruns 1:175; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-79). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 80
80Bruns 1:175
Item placuit, ut si quis de alterius monasterio susceptum vel ad clericatum promovere voluerit, vel in suo monasterio majorem monasterii constituerit, episcopus qui hoc fecerit, a ceterorum communione sejunctus suae tantum plebis communione contentus sit, et ille neque clericus neque praepositus perseveret.
Also it was decided that if anyone wishes either to promote to the clergy someone received from another's monastery, or to appoint him superior of a monastery in his own, the bishop who does this is to be cut off from the communion of the others and be content with the communion of his own people only; and that man is to remain neither cleric nor superior.
Notes and citation
Summary: A bishop may not ordain or make superior a monk received from another's monastery.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): fecerit, à ceterorum → fecerit, a ceterorum; et.ille → et ille.
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 80 (Bruns 1:175; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-80). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 81
81Bruns 1:175
Item constitutum est, ut si quis episcopus haeredes extraneos a consanguinitate sua vel haereticos etiam consanguineos aut paganos ecclesiae praetulerit, saltem post mortem anathema ei dicatur, atque ejus nomen inter dei sacerdotes nullo modo recitetur. Nec excusari possit, si intestatus decesserit, quia utique debuit factus episcopus rei suae ordinationem congruam suae professioni nequaquam differre.
Also it was decreed that if any bishop prefers to the church heirs who are strangers to his blood, or heretics even of his kin, or pagans, an anathema is to be pronounced on him at least after his death, and his name is in no way to be recited among the priests of God. Nor can he be excused if he dies intestate, since, having become a bishop, he ought certainly not to have put off an arrangement of his property befitting his profession.
Notes and citation
Summary: A bishop who leaves his property to unrelated persons, heretics, or pagans rather than to the church is anathematized after death and his name removed from the diptychs.
- "Recited among the priests of God": in the commemoration of the departed at the Eucharist.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): consanguineos Rut paganos → consanguineos aut paganos; nu]o → nullo; congruàm → congruam.
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 81 (Bruns 1:175; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-81). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 82
82Bruns 1:176
Item placuit, ut de manumissionibus in ecclesia celebrandis ab imperatore petatur.
Also it was decided that the emperor be petitioned concerning manumissions to be performed in church.
Notes and citation
Summary: The emperor is to be asked to allow the freeing of slaves in church.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): tem placuit, → Item placuit,.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 82 (Bruns 1:176; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-82). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 83
83Bruns 1:176
Item placuit, ut altaria quae passim per agros et per vias tanquam memoriae martyrum constituuntur, in quibus nullum corpus aut reliquiae martyrum conditae probantur, ab episcopis qui locis iisdem praesunt, si fieri potest, evertantur. Si autem hoc per tumultus populares non sinitur, plebes tamen admoneantur, ne illa loca frequentent, ut qui recte sapiunt nulla ibi superstitione devincti teneantur. Et omnino nulla memoria martyrum probabiliter acceptetur, nisi ubi corpus aut aliquae reliquiae sunt aut origo alicujus habitationis vel possessionis vel passionis fidelissima origine traditur. Nam quae per somnia et per inanes quasi revelationes quorumlibet hominum ubicumque constituuntur altaria, omni modo improbentur. [84] Item placuit ab imperatoribus gloriosissimis peti, ut reliquiae idolatriae non solum in simulacris sed et in quibuscumque locis vel lucis vel arboribus omni modo deleantur.
Also it was decided that altars set up here and there in the fields and along the roads as memorials of martyrs, in which no body or relics of martyrs are shown to be buried, be overturned, if possible, by the bishops who preside over those places. But if this is not allowed because of popular riots, the people are at least to be warned not to frequent those places, so that those who think rightly may not be held bound there by any superstition. And no memorial of martyrs at all is to be accepted as genuine unless there is a body or some relics there, or unless the origin of some dwelling, or possession, or passion is handed down there on most trustworthy authority. For altars set up anywhere through dreams and the empty so-called revelations of any people whatever are to be wholly disapproved. [84] Also it was decided that the most glorious emperors be asked that the remains of idolatry be wholly destroyed, not only in images but in any places whatever, or groves, or trees.
Notes and citation
Summary: False shrines of martyrs without relics or reliable tradition are to be destroyed; the emperors are asked to destroy the remains of idolatry.
- Item 84 begins inside this staged ref; its numeral and heading ("On rooting out the remains of idols") are removed and the start is marked [84].
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): al»: → ab; eadmoneantur, → admoneantur,; LXXXIVF. De idolorum reliquiis extirpandis. → [84].
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 83 (Bruns 1:176; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-83). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 85
85Bruns 1:176
Ab universis etiam episcopis dictum est: Ut si quae literae dictandae in concilio placuerint, venerandus episcopus qui huic sedi praesidet omnium nomine dictare et subscribere dignetur, in quibus etiam ad episcopos legatos, qui per provincias Africanas in causa Donatistarum mittendi sunt, placuit literas dari tenorem mandati continentes, quem non egrediantur. Et subscripserunt: Aurelius episcopus ecclesiae Carthaginensis huic decreto consensi et praelecto subscripsi. Similiter et ceteri episcopi subscripserunt.
It was also said by all the bishops: "That if any letters are decided on in council to be written, the venerable bishop who presides over this see may deign to dictate and subscribe them in the name of all; among which it was decided also that letters be given to the bishops sent as legates through the African provinces in the cause of the Donatists, containing the tenor of their mandate, which they are not to go beyond." And they subscribed: I, Aurelius, bishop of the church of Carthage, have consented to this decree and, after it was read, have subscribed. Likewise the other bishops also subscribed.
Notes and citation
Summary: The bishop of Carthage may dictate and sign the council's letters in the name of all, including the mandates of the legates to the Donatists.
- This is item 85 of the Codex (Bruns's heading "LXXXV. That letters be dictated by the bishop of Carthage when needed"); the staged ref 84 is to be renumbered 85, since item 84 lies inside staged 83 (cn3-renumber.json).
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): praesidet. → praesidet; JAAfricanas → Africanas; subscripserunt. ! → subscripserunt..
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 85 (Bruns 1:176; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-85). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 86
86Bruns 1:177
Valentinus episcopus dixit: Si permittit bonum patientiae vestrae, prosequor ea quae praeterito tempore in ecclesia Carthaginensi gesta sunt, et subscriptionibus fratrum firmata claruerunt, etiam nos hoc servaturos esse profiteor. Sed illud scimus, inviolatam semper mansisse ecclesiasticam disciplinam: ita ut nullus fratrum prioribus suis se aliquando auderet anteponere, sed officiis caritatis id semper exhibitum est prioribus, quod ab insequentibus gratanter semper acciperetur. Hunc ordinem jubeat sanctitas vestra melius vestris interlocutionibus roborari. Aurelius episcopus dixit: Non decuerat quidem, ut haec repeteremus, nisi forte existerent inconsideratae mentes quorumdam, quae ad haec statuenda nostros acuerent sensus: sed communis haec causa est, quam insinuavit frater et consacerdos noster, ut unusquisque nostrum ordinem sibi decretum a deo cognoscat, nec eis inconsultis aliquid agere praesumant. Qua de re dico, prout captus animi mei retinet, eos qui putaverint spretis majoribus aliquid praesumendum, competenter ab omni concilio esse coercendos. Xantippus episcopus primae sedis Numidiae dixit: Audivit omnium fratrum praesentia prosecutionem fratris et consacerdotis nostri Aurelii, quid ad haec respondet? Datianus episcopus dixit: Quae majorum decrevit sententia, nostro assensui mancipabuntur, ut quae praeteritorum conciliorum gestis tenentur Carthaginensis ecclesiae, nostra assensione plene apud omnes firmata teneantur. Universi episcopi dixerunt: Hic ordo et e patribus et e majoribus servatus est, et e nobis deo propitio servabitur, salvo etiam jure primatus Numidiae et Mauritaniae. Deinde placuit omnibus episcopis qui in hoc concilio subscripserunt, ut matricula et archivus Numidiae et apud primam sedem sit, et in metropoli, id est Constantina.
Bishop Valentinus said: "If your good patience permits, I go through the things that were done in time past in the church of Carthage and were confirmed by the subscriptions of the brothers; I profess that we too will keep this. But this we know, that the discipline of the church has always remained inviolate, so that none of the brothers ever dared to put himself before those ordained before him, but by offices of love what was always shown to seniors was always gladly received by their successors. Let your holiness order this order to be strengthened better by your declarations." Bishop Aurelius said: "It was not fitting indeed that we should repeat these things, unless perhaps the thoughtless minds of some had appeared, which sharpened our minds to decree these things; but this is a common cause, which our brother and fellow priest has brought before us: that each of us should know the order decreed for him by God, and that they should not presume to do anything without consulting them. Therefore I say, as far as the grasp of my mind holds, that those who think they may presume something, scorning their seniors, are to be duly restrained by the whole council." Xantippus, bishop of the first see of Numidia, said: "The presence of all the brothers has heard the statement of our brother and fellow priest Aurelius; what does it answer to this?" Bishop Datianus said: "What the sentence of our elders has decreed shall be bound to our assent, so that what is contained in the proceedings of the past councils of the church of Carthage may be held firmly established among all by our assent." All the bishops said: "This order has been kept by the fathers and by our elders, and by God's favour will be kept by us, saving also the right of the primacy of Numidia and Mauretania." Then it was decided by all the bishops who subscribed at this council that the register and archive of Numidia be both at the first see and in the metropolis, that is, Constantina.
Notes and citation
Summary: Bishops must keep the order of seniority by ordination; the register and archive of Numidia are to be kept both at the primate's see and at Constantina.
- This is item 86 of the Codex (Bruns's heading "On the order of bishops"; Bruns misprints its numeral as a second "LXXXV"); the staged ref 85 is to be renumbered 86 (cn3-renumber.json). A further heading inside the text ("On the register and archive of Numidia") is removed.
- "The first see" of Numidia: the see of its senior bishop (the primate), which was not fixed to one city.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): phtientiae → patientiae; etíam → etiam; illud. → illud; caritatis 1d semper → caritatis id semper; melius. → melius; repeteremus,, → repeteremus,; inconsul- ' tis → inconsultis; coércendos. → coercendos.; Numidige → Numidiae; ómnium → omnium; fratrem → fratrum; eonsacerdotis → consacerdotis; haee → haec; eassensui → assensui; ' Universi → Universi; dixerumt: → dixerunt:; patiribus → patribus; Mauritaniae. De archivo et matricula Numidiae. → Mauritaniae..
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 86 (Bruns 1:177; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-86). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
86.0Bruns 1:176
In hoc concilio praeterita decreta firmantur. Gloriosissimis imperatoribus Arcadio et Honorio augustis quinquies consulibus, VI. Kalendas Septembris, in civitate Milevitana in secretario basilicae, cum Aurelius episcopus Carthaginensis in concilio universali consedisset, adstantibus diaconis, Aurelius episcopus dixit: Quoniam ecclesiae sanctae unum est corpus omniumque membrorum caput est unum, factum est volente deo et nostram infirmitatem juvante, ut ad hanc ecclesiam veniremus dilectionis et fraternitatis gratia invitati. Unde quaeso caritatem vestram, quia ita credendum est, quod noster accessus ad vos nec superfluus nec insuavis est cunctis, ut consensus omnium nostrum manifestetur concordare complacitis decretorum, quae jamdudum vel in Hipponensi synodo firmata sunt, vel postmodum meliore concilio apud Carthaginem definita nunc quoque nobis ex ordine recitantur. Tunc demum fraternitatis vestrae concordia luce clarior apparebit, si haec quae a nobis superioribus conciliis legaliter definita noscuntur, non solum consensu vestro his actis, verum et subscriptionibus manifestetis. Xantippus episcopus primae sedis Numidiae dixit: Credo, quod omni fraternitati placuit et statuta sua manu confirmaverunt, subscribendo etiam nobis placere posse et nostra subscriptione firmamus. Nicetius episcopus primae sedis Mauritaniae Sitiphensis dixit: Quae recitata sunt decreta, quoniam ratione non carent, et sunt approbata cunctis, etiam et meae parvitati haec placent, quae quidem propria subscriptione firmabo.
At this council the past decrees are confirmed. In the fifth consulship of the most glorious emperors Arcadius and Honorius Augusti, on the sixth day before the Kalends of September, in the city of Milevis, in the sacristy of the basilica, when Aurelius, bishop of Carthage, had taken his seat in the general council, the deacons standing by, Bishop Aurelius said: "Since the holy church is one body and there is one head of all the members, it has come about, by God's will and with his help to our weakness, that we have come to this church, invited out of love and brotherhood. Therefore I ask your love, since it must be believed that our coming to you is neither superfluous nor unpleasant to all, that the consent of all of us be shown to agree with the decisions of the decrees which were long ago confirmed at the synod of Hippo, or afterwards defined at Carthage in a better council, and are now also read to us in order. Then at last the harmony of your brotherhood will appear clearer than light, if you show not only by your consent in these proceedings but also by your subscriptions that you accept what is known to have been lawfully defined by us in the earlier councils." Xantippus, bishop of the first see of Numidia, said: "I believe that what has pleased the whole brotherhood, and what they confirmed with their own hand, can please us too by subscribing, and we confirm it by our subscription." Nicetius, bishop of the first see of Mauretania Sitifensis, said: "The decrees that have been read, since they do not lack reason and are approved by all, please my lowliness too, and I will confirm them by my own subscription."
Eph 4:4 (allusion, medium confidence) · Col 1:18 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Dating notice and opening of the council of Milevis (27 August 402), which confirms the earlier African decrees.
- Milevis, 27 August 402 (the fifth consulship of Arcadius and Honorius). This notice precedes item 86 (staged 85) in Bruns; the staged ref 85.0 is to be renumbered 86.0 (cn3-renumber.json). "One body … one head": Eph 4:4; Col 1:18.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): imperatóribus → imperatoribus; jüvante, → juvante,; véniremus → veniremus; superíluus → superfluus; Hippo-. nensi → Hipponensi; subsériptionibus → subscriptionibus; placuit et) statuta → placuit et statuta; firmamus. | → firmamus..
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 86.0 (Bruns 1:176; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-86-0). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 87
87Bruns 1:178
De Quodvultdeo etiam Centuriensi quoniam adversarius ipsius, cum se petisset introduci ad concilium nostrum, interrogatus utrum cum eo vellet apud episcopos experiri, primo promiserat, et alio die respondit hoc sibi non placere atque discessit, placuit omnibus episcopis, ut nullus eidem Quodvultdeo communicet, donec causa ejus qualem potuerit terminum sumat. Nam adimi ei episcopatum, antequam causae ejus exitus appareret, nulli christiano videri jure potuisset.
Concerning Quodvultdeus of Centuria too: since his adversary, when he had asked to be brought before our council and was asked whether he wished to contend with him before the bishops, at first promised, and on another day answered that this did not please him and departed, it was decided by all the bishops that no one should communicate with the same Quodvultdeus until his case reaches whatever conclusion it can. For no Christian could think it right that the episcopate be taken from him before the outcome of his case appears.
Notes and citation
Summary: Quodvultdeus of Centuria is suspended from communion, but not deposed, until his case is concluded.
- The Latin of the first sentence is confused about who refused to proceed; translated as printed.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): dicessit» → discessit,; episcopis, ut£ nullus → episcopis, ut nullus; Quedveltdeo → Quodvultdeo; denec → donec; eceüsa → causa; qaalem → qualem.
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 87 (Bruns 1:178; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-87). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 88
88Bruns 1:178
De Maximiano autem Bagejensi et ad eum et ad ipsam plebem placuit de concilio literas dari, ut et ipse ab episcopatu discedat, et illi sibi alium requirant.
Concerning Maximian of Bagai, it was decided that letters be given from the council both to him and to the people themselves, that he should withdraw from the episcopate and they should seek another for themselves.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maximian of Bagai is asked to resign his see.
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 88 (Bruns 1:178; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-88). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 89
89Bruns 1:178
Deinde placuit, ut quicumque deinceps ab episcopis ordinantur per provincias Africanas, literas accipiant ab ordinatoribus suis manu eorum conscriptas, continentes consulem et diem, ut nulla altercatio de posterioribus vel anterioribus oriatur.
Then it was decided that whoever are henceforth ordained by bishops throughout the African provinces should receive letters from their ordainers, written in their own hand, containing the consul and the day, so that no dispute may arise about who is later or earlier.
Notes and citation
Summary: Newly ordained bishops are to receive letters from their ordainers stating the date, to settle seniority.
- The words before "Then it was decided" in the staged text ("letters which bear the day and the consul") are the end of Bruns's heading for this item and are removed.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): epistolas accipiant, quae diem et consulem praeferant. Deinde → Deinde; Africanas,. → Africanas,; anterieribus → anterioribus.
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 89 (Bruns 1:178; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-89). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 90
90Bruns 1:178
Item placuit, ut quicumque in ecclesia vel semel legerit ab alia ecclesia ad clericatum non teneatur. Et subscripserunt: Aurelius episcopus ecclesiae Carthaginensis huic decreto consensi et praelecto subscripsi. Similiter et ceteri episcopi subscripserunt. In hoc concilio quid egerint episcopi, qui ad transmarina legati directi sunt, intimatur.
Also it was decided that whoever has read in a church even once may not be retained for the clergy by another church. And they subscribed: I, Aurelius, bishop of the church of Carthage, have consented to this decree and, after it was read, have subscribed. Likewise the other bishops also subscribed. At this council it is made known what the bishops did who were sent as legates overseas.
Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.
Notes and citation
Summary: One who has served even once as reader in a church may not be taken into the clergy of another.
- A note of Bruns's apparatus (on words missing in some manuscripts) leaked into the staged text and is removed. The last sentence is the heading of the following council (403).
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): legert → legerit; Consensi → consensi; »;j Verba Xanüppus dixit — firmata teneantur desunt in- C, Hisp.' — ln → In; concílo → concilio; eplscopí, → episcopi,; trahsinarita; → transmarina; direeti → directi.
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 90 (Bruns 1:178; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-90). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 91
91Bruns 1:180
Aurelius episcopus dixit: Quod in tractatum venit caritatis vestrae, puto hoc ecclesiasticis gestis esse firmandum. Professio enim vestra omnium hoc deprompsit, debere unumquemque nostrum in civitate sua per se convenire Donatistarum praepositos, aut adjungere sibi vicinum collegam, ut pariter eos in singulis quibusque civitatibus vel locis per magistratus vel seniores locorum conveniant. Hoc, si omnibus placet, edicatur. Ab universis episcopis dictum est: Omnibus placet et omnes hac subscriptione nostra firmavimus. Petimus etiam, ut epistolis ad judices de concilio mittendis pro omnibus subscribat sanctitas tua. Aurelius episcopus dixit: Si videtur caritati vestrae, forma conventionis eorum recitetur, ut hunc tenorem prosecutionis omnes, si placuerit, teneamus. Ab universis episcopis dictum est: Recitetur. Laetus notarius recitavit.
Bishop Aurelius said: "What has come into the discussion of your love, I think, should be confirmed in the church's minutes. For the profession of all of you has brought this forth: that each of us in his own city should, by himself, summon the heads of the Donatists, or join to himself a neighbouring colleague, so that together they may summon them in each city or place through the magistrates or elders of the places. If this pleases all, let it be declared." It was said by all the bishops: "It pleases all, and we have all confirmed it by this our subscription. We ask also that your holiness subscribe for all the letters to be sent from the council to the judges." Bishop Aurelius said: "If it seems good to your love, let the form of the summons to them be read, so that, if it pleases, we may all keep this tenor of statement." It was said by all the bishops: "Let it be read." Laetus the notary read:
Notes and citation
Summary: Each bishop is to summon the Donatist leaders of his city, through the magistrates, to a conference.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): Profes- Sio → Professio; Seniores → seniores; Sanctitas → sanctitas; episcopus dixit: $i videtut → episcopus dixit: Si videtur; procecutionis → prosecutionis.
Topics: Heresy
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 91 (Bruns 1:180; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-91). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
91.0Bruns 1:178
Gloriosissimo imperatore Theodosio augusto et Rumorido v. cl. consulibus, VIII. Kalendas Septembris, Carthagine in basilica regionis secundae, cum Aurelius episcopus in universali concilio consedisset adstantibus diaconis, Aurelius episcopus dixit: Exigente ratione fraternitas vestra a mea tenuitate ad hoc concilium congregata est. Jamdudum enim, sicut vestra sanctitas recordatur, habito concilio destinavimus fratres nostros ad transmarina legatos, quos oportuit in coetu sanctitatis vestrae perfunctae legationis cursum narrare, et licet hesterno die de hac re considentibus nobis praeter gesta ecclesiastica diligentius quae gesserint tractaremus, hodie tamen oportet tractatum hesterni diei actis ecclesiasticis confirmari. De episcopis provinciarum Africae, qui non adfuerunt praesenti concilio. Ordo itaque rerum deposcit, ut primitus de fratribus nostris et consacerdotibus, qui ad hoc concilium vel de Byzacio vel certe de Mauritania convenerunt, quaeramus, quemadmodum huic concilio decreverint interesse. Et offerentibus Philologio, Geta, Venustano, et Feliciano, episcopis provinciae Byzacenae, legationis literas et recitatis, offerentibus etiam Luciano et Silvano, legatis provinciae Mauritaniae Sitiphensis, legationis literas et recitatis, Aurelius episcopus dixit: Horum scriptorum textus sociabitur gestis. De episcopis Byzacenis. Numidius episcopus dixit: Animadvertimus fratres et coepiscopos nostros Byzacenae provinciae et Mauritaniae Sitiphensis ad concilium destinasse legatos: nunc quaeramus, utrum legati Numidiae advenerint, vel certe provinciae Tripolitanae vel Mauritaniae Caesariensis. De episcopis Mauritaniae Sitiphensis. Lucianus et Silvanus episcopi, legati provinciae Mauritaniae Sitiphensis, dixerunt: Sero ad Caesarienses fratres nostros tractoria venit; nam jam et illi venirent, tamen necesse est veniant, et confidimus de animis illorum, quia si quid in hoc concilio gestum fuerit, et ipsi sine dubio suos consensus adhibebunt. De episcopis Numidiae. Alypius episcopus ecclesiae Tagastensis dixit: Nos quidem de Numidia venimus, ego et sancti fratres Augustinus et Possidius, sed de Numidia legatio mitti non potuit, quod adhuc tumultu tironum episcopi propriis necessitatibus in civitatibus suis aut impediti aut occupati sunt, Nam etiam tractoriam sanctitatis tuae cum ad sanctum senem Xantippum deferrem, in praesenti tractatu hoc visum fuerat, ut concilium indiceretur, quo instructa legatio posset ad hoc concilium destinari, sed cum eum posterioribus literis admonerem de impedimento tironum, ut superius dixi, rescriptis propriis excusavit. Aurelius episcopus dixit: Non dubium est, quod praedicti fratres et episcopi nostri Numidiae, cum gesta concilii acceperint, et suos adhibebunt consensus et in effectum deducere maturabunt quaecumque in placitum venerint. Cura ergo istius sedis hoc ipsum ut eis intimetur necesse est provideri. De episcopis Tripolitanis. De Tripolitanis vero fratribus nostris hoc potui condiscere, quod Dulcicium fratrem nostrum destinaverint legatum: sed quia non potuit occurrere, hoc asseveraverunt quidam filii nostri venientes de supradicta provincia, quod memoratus navi se commiserat, et credendum est accidisse nonnullam de tempestatibus moram, quae retardaret ejus adventum; tamen etiam circa ipsos, si caritati vestrae placet, haec forma servabitur, ut placita ad eosdem concilii transmittantur. Ab universis episcopis dictum est: Haec, quae statuit sanctitas tua, omnibus placent.
In the consulship of the most glorious emperor Theodosius Augustus and the most illustrious Rumoridus, on the eighth day before the Kalends of September, at Carthage, in the basilica of the second region, when Bishop Aurelius had taken his seat in the general council, the deacons standing by, Bishop Aurelius said: "As reason required, your brotherhood has been assembled by my lowliness for this council. For some time ago, as your holiness remembers, having held a council, we sent our brothers as legates overseas, who were to report in the assembly of your holiness the course of the embassy they had discharged; and although yesterday, while we sat on this matter, we discussed more carefully, apart from the record, what they had done, today it is right that yesterday's discussion be confirmed in the church's minutes." On the bishops of the provinces of Africa who were not present at this council: "The order of business therefore demands that we first ask about our brothers and fellow priests who have come to this council from Byzacena or from Mauretania, how they decided to take part in this council." And when Philologius, Geta, Venustianus, and Felicianus, bishops of the province of Byzacena, presented their letters of delegation and they were read, and when Lucian and Silvanus, legates of the province of Mauretania Sitifensis, also presented their letters of delegation and they were read, Bishop Aurelius said: "The text of these writings will be joined to the minutes." On the bishops of Byzacena. Bishop Numidius said: "We notice that our brothers and fellow bishops of the province of Byzacena and of Mauretania Sitifensis have sent legates to the council; now let us ask whether the legates of Numidia have come, or those of the province of Tripolitania or of Mauretania Caesariensis." On the bishops of Mauretania Sitifensis. The bishops Lucian and Silvanus, legates of the province of Mauretania Sitifensis, said: "The summons came late to our brothers of Caesariensis; for otherwise they too would have come; yet they must come, and we are confident of their minds, that if anything is done at this council, they too will without doubt give their consent." On the bishops of Numidia. Alypius, bishop of the church of Thagaste, said: "We indeed have come from Numidia, I and the holy brothers Augustine and Possidius; but a delegation could not be sent from Numidia, because the bishops are still either hindered or occupied in their own cities with their own needs owing to the disturbance of the recruit levy. For when I was bringing your holiness's summons to the holy old man Xantippus, it had been agreed in the discussion then that a council should be announced, by which an instructed delegation could be sent to this council; but when I reminded him by later letters of the hindrance of the recruit levy, as I said above, he excused himself in his own reply." Bishop Aurelius said: "There is no doubt that our aforesaid brothers and bishops of Numidia, when they receive the minutes of the council, will both give their consent and hasten to carry into effect whatever has been agreed. The care of this see must therefore provide that this be made known to them." On the bishops of Tripolitania. "Of our brothers of Tripolitania I have been able to learn this, that they sent our brother Dulcitius as legate; but since he could not arrive, certain sons of ours coming from that province asserted that he had embarked on a ship, and it must be believed that some delay from storms has happened which has slowed his coming. Nevertheless, regarding them too, if it pleases your love, this form shall be kept, that the decisions of the council be sent to them." It was said by all the bishops: "What your holiness has decreed pleases all."
Notes and citation
Summary: Opening of the council of Carthage (25 August 403): the legates' report and the attendance of the provinces.
- Carthage, 25 August 403 (Theodosius and Rumoridus consuls). The short headings within the text ("On the bishops of …") are Bruns's printed sub-headings, kept and translated. "Recruit levy" (tumultus tironum): the conscription then under way.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): 'adstantibus → adstantibus; fratermitas → fraternitas; tenuitáte → tenuitate; nostros ed transmarina → nostros ad transmarina; perfünctae → perfunctae; legátionis → legationis; cursufr → cursum; nármare, → narrare,; gestae → gesta; provinciarum.dfricae, → provinciarum Africae,; adfuerunt | * → adfuerunt; huie → huic; Horum. → Horum; episcopis! → episcopis; Bgzacemis. — → Byzacenis.; coópiscopos → coepiscopos; Mauritániae → Mauritaniae; utruni → utrum; Sitiphensis. ' → Sitiphensis.; tanen necesse es$ veniant, → tamen necesse est veniant,; in hoe concilio → in hoc concilio; adhibebunt. | → adhibebunt.; tironunt → tironum; sunt, Nem etiam → sunt, Nam etiam; tragtoriam → tractoriam; sanctitatis tuae Gun ad.sanctum → sanctitatis tuae cum ad sanctum; senem: → senem; Xantippum.deferrem, → Xantippum deferrem,; propris → propriis; provincia,. → provincia,; tempestatibus, → tempestatibus; transmittantur.. Ab. uniz versis → transmittantur. Ab universis; ómnibus → omnibus.
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 91.0 (Bruns 1:178; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-91-0). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.
Chapter 92
92Bruns 1:180
Ille episcopus ecclesiae illius dixit: Quid de auctoritate illius amplissimae sedis impetraverimus, petimus gravitatem vestram recitari et gestis innecti atque in effectum deduci jubeatis. Recitata autem jussione atque actis innexa, dixit ille episcopus ecclesiae catholicae: Mandatum ad Donatistas per vestram gravitatem perferendum: audire et actis inserere et ad eos perferre dignemini, eorumque responsionem rursus apud acta vestra nobis insinuare. Convenimus vos ex concilii nostri catholici auctoritate missi, de vestra correctione gaudere cupientes, considerantes domini caritatem, qui dixit: Beati pacifici, quia ipsi filii dei vocabuntur, et admonuit per prophetam etiam his qui dicunt se fratres nostros non esse, dicere nos debere: Fratres nostri estis. Hane ergo pacificam ex caritate venientem commonitionem nostram contemnere non debetis, ut si quid veritatis habere nos arbitramini, non dubitetis asserere: id est, ut congregato vestro concilio deligatis ex vobis, quibus causam assertionis vestrae committatis, ut et nos possimus hoc facere, ut etiam de nostro concilio deligantur, qui cum eis quos delegeritis, constituto loco et tempore, quidquid quaestionis est quod vestram e nobis separat communionem, cum pace discutiant et tandem aliquando adjuvante domino deo nostro finem veternosus error accipiat, ne propter animositatem hominum infirmae animae et ignari populi sacrilega dissensione dispereant. Si enim hoc fraterne acceperitis, veritas facile dilucescet, si autem hoc facere nolueritis, diffidentia vestra facile innotescet. Cumque recitata esset, ab universis episcopis dictum est: Satis placet, hoc fiat. Et subscripserunt: Aurelius episcopus ecclesiae Carthaginensis huic decreto consensi et praelecto subscripsi. Similiter et ceteri episcopi subscripserunt. Haec synodus adversus Donatistas legationem ad principes dirigit. Gloriosissimo imperatore Honorio augusto sextum consule, Kalendas Julias, Carthagine in basilica regionis secundae. In hoc concilio legationem susceperunt Theasius et Evodius contra Donatistas, in quo concilio insertum est commonitorium, quod ita se continet.
The bishop of such-and-such a church said: "What we have obtained from the authority of that most ample office, we ask that your gravity order to be read, entered in the record, and carried into effect." When the order had been read and attached to the minutes, the bishop of the catholic church said: "A mandate to be conveyed to the Donatists through your gravity: please hear it, insert it in the minutes, and convey it to them, and make known to us their reply again in your minutes. We summon you, sent by the authority of our catholic council, desiring to rejoice in your correction, considering the love of the Lord, who said, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God,' and who warned through the prophet that we ought to say even to those who say they are not our brothers, 'You are our brothers.' You ought not, then, to despise this peaceful admonition of ours, which comes from love; so that if you think you have any truth, you should not hesitate to assert it: that is, that, having assembled your council, you should choose from among you those to whom to entrust the case of your assertion, so that we too may do this, that from our council too some may be chosen who, with those you choose, at an appointed place and time, may discuss in peace whatever question it is that separates your communion from us, and that at last, with the help of the Lord our God, the long-standing error may receive an end, lest because of the animosity of men weak souls and ignorant peoples perish by sacrilegious dissension. For if you receive this in a brotherly way, the truth will easily shine out; but if you will not do it, your distrust will easily become known." And when it had been read, it was said by all the bishops: "It pleases well; let it be done." And they subscribed: I, Aurelius, bishop of the church of Carthage, have consented to this decree and, after it was read, have subscribed. Likewise the other bishops also subscribed. This synod sends an embassy to the princes against the Donatists. In the sixth consulship of the most glorious emperor Honorius Augustus, on the Kalends of July, at Carthage, in the basilica of the second region. At this council Theasius and Evodius undertook an embassy against the Donatists; in this council a memorandum is inserted, which runs as follows.
Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.
Matt 5:9 (quotation, high confidence) · Isa 66:5 (allusion, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The form of summons to the Donatists, inviting them to choose delegates for a peaceful conference; then the notice of the council of 404 sending Theasius and Evodius to the emperors.
- The form is a template ("the bishop of such-and-such a church") for use before the magistrates. Quotations: Matt 5:9; Isa 66:5 (LXX, "say, 'You are our brothers,' to those who hate you"). A leaked footnote of Bruns's apparatus is removed. The last sentences are the notice of the council of Carthage of 404 (sixth consulship of Honorius; the day of the month varies in the manuscripts).
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR debris or slip in the digital text (line-start quotation marks, note letters, broken words, misread letters)): ilius → illius; géstis → gestis; atque 'in effectum → atque in effectum; Dongtistas → Donatistas; actis.inserere et. ad → actis inserere et ad; insinuare..Convenimus v6s ex → insinuare. Convenimus vos ex; congilii → concilii; ngstri,. AL reiardarit. — 2) Rheinwald |. c. p. 46 not. 9. — — 3) AL firmabimus, ] ' | → nostri; catliolici → catholici; Zeaté → Beati; pae- ' eifici, → pacifici,; *atres → Fratres; delipantur, → deligantur,; pate → pace; dofnino → domino; vetefnosus → veternosus; sacrlega → sacrilega; aocopemtis, → acceperitis,; nolueritis,. → nolueritis,; dietum → dictum; subseripserunt. |. → subscripserunt..
Topics: Heresy
Cite (SBL): Cod. can. eccl. Afr. 92 (Bruns 1:180; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-carthage-419-codex/57/#p-92). (abbreviation not yet checked)
BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-carthage-419-codex-92) · Report an error
Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (Bruns 1839; noisy OCR); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14 ('The Code of Canons of the African Church'), which uses the same Justellus numbers.