The Presbyters Project

[Titulum secundum cod. M] I. De disciplina et ordinationibus clericorum atque pontificum.

[Titulum secundum cod. A] I. De bigamis et internuptis.

[Titulum secundum cod. R] I. De begamis et internuptarum maritis.

[Titulum secundum coll. Hispanam] I. De digamis clericis ut non ministrent.

In primo id placuit, ut canones et statuta patrum per ordinem legerentur; quibus lectis placuit de bigamis aut internuptarum maritis, quanquam aliud patrum statuta decreuerint, ut qui hucusque ordinati sunt, habita miseratione, presbyterii uel diaconatus nomen tantum obtineant; officium uero presbyteri consecrandi et ministrandi huiusmodi diacones non praesumant.

(ed. Munier 1963: 193, 220, 221, 223)

[Title according to cod. M] I. On the discipline and ordinations of clerics and priests.

[Title according to cod. A] I. On the twice-married and those married to wives who were previously married to someone else.

[Title according to cod. R] I. On the twice-married and those married to wives who were previously married to someone else.

[Title according to the Hispana collection] I. On the twice-married, that they should not minister [at the altar].

Above all, it is proper that the canons and decrees of the fathers should be observed to [keep] order. Having read them, we decided what follows concerning the twice-married and those married to wives who were previously married to someone else: although the decrees of the fathers stated something different, we will have mercy [on them], and let them keep the name of presbyter or deacon. Presbyters, however, should not dare to say mass (officium consecrandi) or deacons to minister [at the altar].

(trans. J. Szafranowski)

Discussion:

The resolution decreed in this canon also applied to penitents, see canon 43 of the same council [959].

Place of event:

Region

Gaul

City

Agde

About the source:

Title: Council of Agde, Concilium Agathense anno 506
Origin: Agde (Gaul)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

The Council of Agde was held in September of 506 under the auspices of Cesarius, bishop of Arles, and with the permission of the Visigothic King Alaric. The first 47 canons are considered genuine, since only those are present in the oldest codices. The rest, present in some manuscripts, must have been taken from the other council acts, especially those of the Council of Epaone in 517. This council was attended by 24 bishops, and 8 presbyters and 2 deacons, who represented their bishops. More on the council, see Klingshirn 1994, 97-104.

Edition:

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

Bibliography:

W.E. Klingshirn, Caesarius of Arles: the making of a Christian community in late antique Gaul, Cambridge 1994.

Categories:

Family life - Marriage

Family life - Permanent relationship continued after ordination

Family life - Permanent relationship after ordination

Family life - More than one marriage

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος

Impediments or requisits for the office - Marriage

Ritual activity - Eucharist

Public law - Ecclesiastical

Administration of justice - Ecclesiastical

Administration of justice - Suspension

Private law - Ecclesiastical

Described by a title - Pontifex

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: J. Szafranowski, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER867, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=867