Canon 2 of the Fourth Council of Arles (Gaul, AD 524) decrees that because of the shortage of clergy, candidates for presbyterate can be ordained as soon as a year has passed since their conversion to ascetic and pious life.
Intended for scholary use. For credentials see Bibliography
Canon 2
Et licet de laicis prolixiora tempora antiqui patris ordinauerint obseruanda, tamen quia crescente ecclesiarum numiro necesse est nobis plures clericos ordinare, hoc inter nos sine praeiudicio dumtaxat canonum constitit antiquorum, ut nullus metropolitanorum cuicumque laico dignitatem episcopatus tribuat, sed nec reliqui pontifices presbyterii uel diaconatus honorem conferre praesumant, nisi anno intigro merit ab eis praemissa conuersio.
(ed. de Clercq 1963: 43-44)
Canon 2
Even though ancient fathers decreed concerning the laymen that long periods of time should be observed [i.e. periods of conversion to ascetic and pious life before taking Holy Orders] it became necessary for us to ordain many clerics because of the growing number of churches. Hence, this was agreed by us, not undermining in any way the ancient canons, that no metropolitan should bestow upon any layman the dignity of episcopacy, as well as that no other pontiffs should dare to grant anyone the honour of presbyterate or diaconate unless [the candidate] merits it by having converted [to ascetic and pious life] a whole year beforehand.
(trans. J. Szafranowski)
Discussion:
The meaning of the term conversio is obscure. Probably, it was required of candidates to presbyterate to live a pious life before taking the Holy Orders, which involved separation from the marital bed for a period of time before ordination.
Other decrees which require "conversion" before ordination are canon 37 from the Council of Épaone (AD 517) [1162], canon 1 of the Fourth Council of Arles (AD 524) [1164], and canon 6 of the Third Council of Orléans (AD 538) [1308].
Place of event:
Region
Gaul
City
Arles
About the source:
Title: Fourth Council of Arles 524, Concilium Arelatense IV anno 517 Origin: Arles (Gaul) Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian
This council convened on 6 June AD 524 in Arles on the occasion of the dedication of Saint Mary`s Basilica outside the city walls. The proceedings were presided over by Caesarius of Arles. Apart from him, thirteen bishops, three presbyters, and one cleric of unknown rank signed the four canons - all of which concern the clerical discipline.
Edition:
C. de Clercq ed., Concilia Galliae a. 511-a. 695, Corpus Christianorum. Series Latina 148 A, Turnhout 1963.
Translation:
J. Gaudemet, B. Basdevant, Les canons des conciles mérovingiens VIe-VIIe siècles, Sources chrétiennes 353, Paris 1989.
Categories:
Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος
Impediments or requisits for the office - Marriage
Impediments or requisits for the office - Social/Economic/Legal status
Ritual activity - Ordaining
Public law - Ecclesiastical
Relation with - Bishop/Monastic superior
Former ecclesiastical career - None
Monastic or common life
Shortage of clergy
Equal prerogatives of presbyters and deacons
Devotion - Ascetic practice
Please quote this record referring to
its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL:
J. Szafranowski, Presbyters
in the Late Antique West, ER1165, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=1165
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