Presbyters Uniwersytet Warszawski
ID
ER 909
Splendonius, a Catholic deacon in Gaul, is condemned by the Catholic Church, rebaptised by the Donatists, ordained presbyter in Constantina (North Africa), and later condemned by the Donatist Church. Augustine, "Against Petilianus", Book 3, 401/403 AD.
Book 3
 
44. [...]  De Splendonio uero, quem diaconum in catholica damnatum et a se rebaptizatum presbyterum fecit, cuius in Gallia damnationem ad nos a fratribus missam collega noster Fortunatus ibidem apud Constantinam publice legendam proposuit et quem postea idem Petilianus horrendas eius insidias expertus abiecit, de hoc ergo Splendonio quando non potuit commoneri, quemadmodum mali et in catholica degradentur? [...]
 
(ed. Petschenig 1909: 198)
Book 3
 
44. [...] But what about Splendonius? He was a deacon in the Catholic Church; he was condemned, and [Petilianus] rebaptised him and ordained him presbyter. Our brothers from Gaul transmitted his condemnation to us, and our colleague Fortunatus read it publicly in Constantina. The same Petilianus, when he learnt about his dreadful plots, rejected him. Therefore, if you remember the case of Splendonius, how can you say that the bad are not deprived of office in the Catholic Church?
 
(trans. S. Adamiak)
 

Discussion:

We do not know what the "dreadful plots" ("horrendas insidias") of Splendonius were. Maybe he did not tell Petilianus about his past condemnation before his rebaptism and ordination?

Place of event:

Region
  • Latin North Africa
  • Gaul
City
  • Constantina

About the source:

Author: Augustine of Hippo
Title: Against Petilianus, Contra Litteras Petiliani, Contra Petilianum Revisions
Origin: Hippo Regius (Latin North Africa)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian
Petilianus was a Donatist bishop of Constantina (Cirta) in Numidia at the end of the fourth and the beginning of the fifth century. He wrote a letter to his clergy, in which he provided  them with arguments against the Catholics. Augustine responded to it gradually, when he was able to obtain copies of Petilianus`s work, and so he wrote the first book of his answer in 400, the second in 401, and the third between 401 and 403.
 
Edition:
M.Petschenig ed., Sancti Aureli Augustini Contra litteras Petiliani libri tres, Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum 52, Vienna-Leipzig 1909, 1-122.
 
Translation:
Saint Augustine, Answer to Petilian the Donatist, translated by J.R. King and revised by Chester D. Hartranft, Buffalo 1887; http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1409.htm.

Categories:

Travel and change of residence
Religious grouping (other than Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian) - Donatist
Change of denomination
Former ecclesiastical career - Deacon
Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος
Public law - Ecclesiastical
Relation with - Bishop/Monastic superior
Further ecclesiastical career - Lay status
Administration of justice - Demotion
Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: S. Adamiak, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER909, http://presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=909