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Edited from a variety of translations (mentioned in the preface) by H. R. Percival
THE ECUMENICAL COUNCILS Resources Online and in Print
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110 Pages
Page 104
Canon CXXXII. (Greek cxxxiii.)
Concerning a bishop who removes a man from communion who says he has confessed to the bishop alone his crime.
It also seemed good that if on any occasion a bishop said that someone had confessed to him alone a personal crime, and that the man now denies it; let not the bishop think that any slight is laid upon him if he is not believed on his own word alone, although he says he is not willing to communicate with the man so denying through a scruple of his own conscience.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon CXXXII.
If a bishop says "someone has confessed to me alone a crime," if the someone denies it, he [i.e. the bishop] is not easily to be believed.
N.B. The word used for "someone" in the Epitome is pelas, which ordinarily means a "neighbour" but may mean "any one." Vide Liddell and Scott.
Canon CXXXIII. (Greek cxxxiv.)
That a bishop should not rashly deprive anyone of communion.
As long as his own bishop will not communicate with one excommunicated, the other bishops should have no communion with that bishop, that the bishop may be more careful not to charge anyone with what he cannot prove by documentary evidence to others.
(Greek cxxxv.)
Bishop Aurelius said: According to the statutes of this whole assembled council, and the opinion of my littleness, it seems good to make an end of all the matters of the whole of the before-manifested title, and let the ecclesiastical acts receive the discussion of the present day's constitution.
And what things have not yet been expressed ("treated of" in the Greek) we shall write on the next day through our brethren, Bishop Faustinus and the Presbyters Philip and Asellus to our venerable brother and fellow-bishop Boniface; and they gave their assent in writing.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon CXXXIII.
If a bishop deprives of communion an unconvicted man, he shall likewise be deprived of communion with his fellows.
Johnson.
Never was a more impartial law made, especially when all the legislators were bishops except two. There were 217 bishops, and two priests, being legates from the bishop of Rome.
The Greeks make a canon of the ratifications, and reckon no more than 135. Aurelius, Bishop of Carthage, subscribes first, and after him 217 bishops, then Asellus and Philippus, priests, legates of the church of Rome. And it does not appear that any other priests were present in any of the councils, mentioned in the body of this code; but there is several times notice taken of the deacons who stood by.
Reference address : https://www.elpenor.org/ecumenical-councils/carthage-419.asp?pg=104
