OF THE OBSERVANCE OF CUSTOM, WHICH IS NOT CONTRARY TO THE FAITH
From codex 16, book III, chapter 19. A You have requested, through Hilarus our notary, in the matter of the ordinations of the Prince of the Apostles, Peter—which long antiquity has hitherto preserved—that all the customs of times past should be kept for you. And we, indeed, in accordance with the sequence of your report, applaud the custom, which is nevertheless recognized as usurping nothing contrary to the Catholic faith.ANICETUS I POPE: NOTICE
(From the Pontifical Book of Pope Damasus, in Mansi, Concil., I, 681. See Patrologia Latina, vol. CXXVII, col. 1203, in Anastasius the Librarian, who places Anicetus before Pius I.) Anicetus, by nation a Syrian, son of John of the village of Humisia, occupied the see for eleven years, four months, and three days. He lived in the times of Verus and Marcus, from the consulship of Gallicanus and Veteris up to those of Praesens and Rufinus. He decreed that a cleric should not grow his hair long, according to the precept of the Apostle. He performed five ordinations in the month of December: seventeen priests, four deacons, and nine bishops in various places. He also died a martyr and is buried in the cemetery of Callistus, on the Via Appia, on the fifteenth day before the Kalends of May. The bishopric was vacant for seventeen days.ANICETUS I POPE: EPISTLE TO THE BISHOPS OF GAUL
(Mansi, Concil., I, 683.)Concerning the election and ordination of an archbishop and the other bishops, and that an archbishop should not presume to do anything concerning their affairs without the counsel of the others, except only within his own special parish.
A Anicetus to all the churches established throughout the provinces of Gaul, greeting in the Lord. That God is the author of good works and spiritual pursuits, there is no doubt, He who excites the minds of good men and assists their actions. This appeared to us evidently when, across the long distances of regions, your hearts felt one counsel, and those responses which you desired were intimated by the letters of many, not one alone.I.
Concerning the ordinations of bishops, and the causes thereof.
Concerning the ordinations of bishops, about which you have wished to consult us, we have already found certain decrees in the long-past ordinations of our holy predecessor, Anacletus. For we know that blessed James, who was called the Just—and who was also called brother of the Lord according to the flesh—was ordained bishop of Jerusalem by the apostles Peter, James, and John. If, however, so great a man was ordained bishop by no fewer than three apostles, it is manifest that they followed a form and institution, B granted by the Lord, that a bishop ought to be ordained by no less than three bishops. But with the number of bishops increasing, unless necessity intervenes, more [bishops] ought also to be added; that is, if an archbishop has passed away and another is to be ordained archbishop-elect, all the bishops of that same province should come together to the metropolitan see, so that he may be ordained by all. It is fitting, however, that he who is destined to preside over them all should be elected and ordained by all of them. But the other comprovincial bishops, C if necessity requires, with the others consenting, can be consecrated by three bishops at the order of the archbishop. But it is better if he himself, with all, chooses him who is worthy, and all together consecrate the pontiff. And although this, necessity compelling, may be granted, that which has been predicted and commanded concerning the consecration of an archbishop—that is, that all the suffragans should ordain him—is in no way permitted to be changed; because he who presides over them must be constituted by all the bishops over whom he presides. If, however, anything else has been presumed, it is devoid of strength.A Moreover, the archbishop shall not act regarding their cases, or other common matters, in accordance with the statutes of the apostles, without the counsel of them all; nor shall they, except for matters pertaining to their own parishes, act without him, since the Most High delights in such harmony and glories in his members.
II.
Concerning primates and metropolitans.
No archbishops shall be called primates unless they hold the first sees, whose bishops the apostles and successors of the apostles have regularly constituted as patriarchs and primates, unless a nation should subsequently be converted to the faith, for which it may be necessary, on account of their multitude, to constitute a primate. But the rest, who have attained other metropolitan sees, shall not be called primates, but metropolitans.III.
If a metropolitan has acted without counsel, or if the bishops consider him suspect.
If, however, any of the metropolitans has become puffed up, and without the presence or counsel of all the comprovincial bishops wishes to act, or to burden them with other causes, except for those which pertain only to his own parish, he shall be strictly corrected by all, so that he may not dare to presume such things henceforth. If, however, he appears incorrigible and disobedient to them, his contumacy shall be reported to this apostolic see (to which all trials of bishops B are ordered to be brought) so that vengeance may be taken upon him, and the others may have fear. If, however, on account of excessive distance, or the inconvenience of the season, or the roughness of the journey, it is burdensome to bring his case to this see, then the case shall be referred to his primate, and it shall be judged before him by the authority of this holy see. Similarly, if any of the bishops holds his own metropolitan suspect, the case shall be heard before the primate of the diocese, or before the apostolic see. “He who is greater among you, according to the Lord’s command, let him be your minister.” And: “The greater you are in all things, humble yourself.” Most beloved, do not contend among yourselves, nor let anyone seek to be greater; but, according to the apostle, “Love one another, for charity is from God: and everyone who loves his brother is born of God and knows God. He who does not love, does not know God, for God is charity.”— “Feed,” says the prince of the apostles, “the flock of God which is among you, providing not by constraint, but willingly according to God, not for filthy lucre, but voluntarily: neither as dominating over the clergy, but being made a pattern of the flock from the heart. And when the Prince of pastors shall appear, you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory.” And according to the other C apostle: “Brothers, be mindful of the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, who told you that in the last time mockers would come, walking according to the desires of impieties. These are they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the spirit. But you, most beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto life eternal. And of some have compassion, being judged, but others save, pulling them out of the fire. And on others have mercy in fear, hating even that which is carnal, the spotted garment.”
IV.