Canon LXIX. (Greek lxxii.)
That a legation be sent to the Donatists for the sake of making peace.
It further seemed good, that when these things were done, legates should be sent from our number to those of the Donatists whom they hold as bishops, or to the people, for the sake of preaching peace and unity, without which Christian salvation cannot be attained; and that these legates should direct the attention of all to the fact that they have no just objection to urge against the Catholic Church. And especially that this be made manifest to all by the municipal acts (on account of the weight of their documents) what they themselves had done in the case of the Maximianists, their own schismatics. For in this case it is shown them by divine grace, if they will but heed it, that their separation from the unity of the Church is as iniquitous as they now proclaim the schism of the Maximianists from themselves to be. Nevertheless from the number, those whom they condemned by the authority of their plenary council, they received back with their honours, and accepted the baptism which they had given while condemned and cut off. And thus let them see how with stupid heart they resist the peace of the Church scattered throughout the whole world, when they do these things on the part of Donatus, neither do they say that they are contaminated by communion with those whom they so receive for the making of peace, and yet they despise us, that is the Catholic Church, which is established even in the extreme parts of the earth, as being defiled by the communion of those whom the accusers have not been able to win over to themselves. [464]
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon LXIX.
It seemed good that legates be sent to preach peace and unity to the Donatists who had been converted to the orthodox faith.
This canon is Canon iij. of Carthage, September, a.d. 401.
[464] I think this is the probable meaning of the canon.
Canon LXX. (Greek lxxiii.)
What clerics should abstain from their wives.
Moreover since incontinence has been charged against some clergymen with regard to their own wives it has seemed good that bishops, presbyters, and deacons should according to the statutes already made abstain even from their own wives; and unless they do so that they should be removed from the clerical office. But the rest of the clergy shall not be forced to this but the custom of each church in this matter shall be followed.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon LXX.
Bishops, presbyters and deacons shall abstain for their wives or else be removed from the ecclesiastical order. But the rest of the clergy shall not be forced to the same: but let the custom be observed.
This is Canon iv. of Carthage, September, a.d. 401.
Johnson.
A repetition of Canon 25 (28).
Canon LXXI. (Greek lxxiv.)
Of those who leave in neglect their own people.
Moreover it seemed good that no one should be allowed to leave his chief cathedral and go to another church built in the diocese, or to neglect the care and frequent attendance upon his own cathedral by reason of too great care for his own affairs.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon LXXI.
It seemed good that no bishop shall translate himself to another see, leaving his own, nor that through a care for his own affairs he should neglect his diocese.
This is Canon vj. of Carthage, September, a.d. 401.
Johnson.
See Canons 53 (57), 56 (60).
"Principalis Cathedra," his own Cathedral.
Canon LXXII. (Greek lxxv.)
Of the baptism of infants when there is some doubt of their being already baptized.
Item, it seemed good that whenever there were not found reliable witnesses who could testify that without any doubt they were baptized and when the children themselves were not, on account of their tender age, able to answer concerning the giving of the sacraments to them, all such children should be baptized without scruple, lest a hesitation should deprive them of the cleansing of the sacraments. This was urged by the Moorish Legates, our brethren, since they redeem many such from the barbarians.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon LXXII.
It seemed good that they should be baptized about whom there was an ambiguity whether they had been baptized or no; lest they might through that doubt lose the divine ablution.
This is Canon vij. of Carthage, September, a.d. 401.