Opening the library…
Cyprian correspondence, Epistle XL
Cyprian of Carthage
Epistle XL.
1. Cyprian to Cornelius, his
2. And lest their raging boldness should ever cease, they are striving here also to distract the members of Christ into schismatical parties, and to cut and tear the one body of the Catholic Church, so that, running about from door to door, through the houses of many, or from city to city, through certain districts, they seek for companions in their obstinacy and error to join to themselves in their schism. To whom we have once given this reply, nor shall we cease to command them to lay aside their pernicious dissensions and disputes, and to be aware that it is an impiety to forsake their Mother; and to acknowledge and understand that when a bishop is once made and approved by the testimony and judgment of his colleagues and the people, another can by no means be appointed. Thus, if they consult their own interest peaceably and faithfully, if they confess themselves to be maintainers of the Gospel of Christ, they must return to the Church. I bid you, dearest brother, ever heartily farewell.
Oxford ed.: Ep. xliv. a.d. 251.
Ordination to the episcopate was the term used. Consecration is the inferior term now usual in Western Christendom. Elucidation VIII.]
“In statione,” “stationary assembly;” these being the Wednesdays and Fridays in each week (Marshall). [See vol. i. p. 33.]
[Note the free use of this phrase by Cyprian. This also to the Bishop of Rome.]
[Nothing of a “universal bishop” is intimated or heard of. The election is that of a bishop like any other bishop.]
[Here note, that the episcopate of Rome is in no otherwise regulated or regarded than that of any other See.]