The Presbyters Project

XXX.

Post omnia occurrit de imbecillitatibus fragilitatis humanae, ut si quis episcopus per infirmitatem debilitatemue aliquam aut hebetudinem sensus inciderit, aut officium oris amiserit, ea quae nonnisi per episcopus geruntur, non sub praesentia sua presbyteros agere permittat, sed episcopum euocat cui quod in ecclesia agendum fuerit imponat.

(ed. Munier 1963: 86)

XXX.

After all those [canons], there occurs [the case] of weaknesses which comes from human frailty. If a bishop through some kind of sickness or infirmity either falls into dullness of mind, or loses the ability (officium) to speak, he cannot permit presbyters to do in his presence those things which can be carried out only by a bishop, but he should call for another bishop, on whom he will lay upon the duties which should be done in church.

(trans. J. Szafranowski)

Discussion:

This canon is one of the few NOT repeated in the so-called Second Council of Arles (see Munier 1963: 111-130; e.g. [549]).

Place of event:

Region

Gaul

City

Orange

About the source:

Title: First Council of Orange 441, Concilium Arausicanum I anno 441
Origin: Orange (Gaul)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

The First Council of Orange gathered in 441 under bishop Hilary of Arles. Some sixteen bishops were present, along with their presbyters and deacons, including one presbyter who was sent by the bishop in his stead (see [444]).

Edition:

Ch. Munier ed., Concilia Galliae a. 314-a. 506, Corpus Christianorum. Series Latina 148, Turnhoult 1963.

Categories:

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος

Usurping episcopal power

Relation with - Bishop/Monastic superior

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: J. Szafranowski, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER732, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=732