The canon is more complicated that it may seem from a perfunctory analysis which would suggest that it simply prohibits the readmission into the clergy of those for whom guilt of 'more grave crimes' was proved. I am not sure what exactly the imposition of hands means here. If it is really the sign of ordination, then why the distinction between the penitents and the faithful lay people? Is it a sign of penance and reconciliation, which is declined to presbyters and deacons, who seem to be considered as the worst offenders among the clergy; did the bishops , gathered at the council, not consider bishops as able to commit such trespasses?

The second phrase seems to to target the ex-Donatists, not the possibilty that a cleric deprived of his office would seek the readmittance in the clergy by the way of repeating the baptism.  Such meaning is suggested by some translations (H. Percival, G. Pilara), but it would be a rather outrageous practice for the 5th century Catholic Church in Africa, in the midst of the controversy with the Donatists. The 'rebaptizati' from this phrase are not referred to by any specific pronoun, and my interpretation is strengthened by the Italian textual tradition, in which this canon is divided into two separate ones: 'On the lapsed presbyters' and 'On the rebaptized'.