The Presbyters Project

Canon 8

Si autem presbyteri uel diaconi fuerint accusati, adiuncto sibi ex uicinis locis legitimo numero collegarum, idest: in presbyteri nomine v. in diaconi ii., episcopi ipsorum causam discutiant, eadem dierum, et dilationum, et a communione remotionum, et discussione personarum inter accusatores et qui accusantur, forma seruata.

Reliquorum autem causas etiam solus episcopus loci cognoscat et finiat.

(ed. Munier 1974: 35-36)

Canon 8

If presbyters or deacons have been accused, let their case be discussed by their bishops, who should be joined by the legitimate number of their colleagues from neighbouring places, that is five in a presbyter's case, and two for a deacon. The same form should be maintained in regard to days, adjournments and withdrawals of communion and the distinction of persons between the plaintiffs and the defendants.

The cases of other [clerics] should be judged by the bishop alone.

(trans. S. Adamiak)

Discussion:

The canon confirms the decisions taken at the Council of Carthage in AD 390 in regard to judging presbyters and deacons [162]. The canon from Hippo is more explicit in insisting on the participation of the local bishop in the trial. It distinguishes the procedure for presbyters and deacons from that for bishops (described in previous canons) and lower clerics, who should be judged by a bishop alone.

Place of event:

Region

Latin North Africa

City

Carthage
Hippo Regius

About the source:

Title: Breuiarium Hipponense
Origin: Carthage (Latin North Africa)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

The bishops of Byzacena arrived too early for the African plenary council at Carthage in AD 397. Since they had to leave the city before the actual beginning of the proceedings Aurelius of Carthage charged them with editing the decisions of the Council of Hippo of AD 393. The document drafted in this way and accepted on 13 August 397 was called the "Breviarium Hipponense", and it was included later in the Canons in causa Apiarii from AD 419, Registri Ecclesiae Carthaginensis Excerpta, Breviarium of Ferrandus and Statuta Ecclesiae Antiqua.

Edition:

C. Munier ed., Concilia Africae a. 345-a. 525, Corpus Christianorum. Series Latina 149, Turnhoult 1974, 23-53.

Categories:

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος

Public law - Ecclesiastical

Relation with - Bishop/Monastic superior

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: S. Adamiak, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER190, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=190