The Presbyters Project

Letter 2

XII,14. Praeterea frequenter quidam ex fratribus nostris curiales, vel quibuslibet publicis functionibus occupatos clericos facere contendunt; quibus postea major tristitia, cum de revocandis eis aliquid ab imperatore praecipitur, quam gratia de ascito nascitur. Constat enim, eos in ipsis muniis etiam voluptates exhibere, quas a diabolo inventas esse non dubium est, et ludorum vel munerum apparatibus aut praesse, aut interesse. Sit certe in exemplum sollicitudo et tristitia fratrum, quam saepe pertulimus imperatore praesente cum pro his saepius rogaremus, quam ipse nobiscum positus agnovisti, quibus non solum inferiores clerici ex curialibus, verum etiam jam in sacerdotio constituti ingens molestia ut redderentur imminebat.

(ed. Coustant 1845: 477-478)

Letter 2

XII,14. Many of our brothers who are either curiales, or occupied by some other public functions, strive to become clerics. There is later greater sadness at them being revoked on the orders of the emperor, than there had been joy coming from their assumption. It is clear that those duties make them delight in the pleasures that have been undoubtedly invented by the Devil, and they are either presiding, or taking [undue] interest in the pomp of the games and spectacles. We often brought in the presence of the emperor the concern and sadness of the brothers and even more often we interceded for them. You made us realise that not only the ex-curiales in the lower clergy, but also those constituted as priests are threatened with huge troubles if they do not return [to their curial duties].

(trans. S. Adamiak)

Discussion:

The constitution of 11 December 399 (CTh 12.1.163) provided that if some curiales managed to become ordained, if they are deacons, presbyters or bishops, they must provide a substitute or deliver their property to the municipal council. The lower clergy must return to their former duties.

Place of event:

Region

Rome
Gaul

City

Rome
Rouen

About the source:

Author: Innocent I
Title: Letters, Epistulae
Origin: Rome (Rome)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

Innocent I was the bishop of Rome from AD 401 to 417. Several of his letters, especially to the bishops of Gaul and Spain, are "decretals": authoritative letters containing papal rulings, usually in response to questions raised by the bishops.

Edition:

P. Coustant ed., S. Innocentii Papae Epistolae et Decreta, Patrologia Latina 20, Paris 1845, 463-608.

Bibliography:

D. Jasper, H. Fuhrmann, Papal Letters in the Early Middle Ages, Washington 2001.

Categories:

Social origin or status - Social elite

Entertainment - Spectacles

Described by a title - Sacerdos/ἱερεύς

Impediments or requisits for the office - Social/Economic/Legal status

Public functions and offices before ordination

Public functions and offices after ordination - Civic office

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: S. Adamiak, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER1590, http://presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=1590