Letter to Bishop Severus

Long ago and from the beginning we have received from the blessed Peter, prince of the apostles, such great confidence, that we have authority to assist the universal Church, with the Lord's help, and to correct and amend by apostolic authority whatever is harmful. For to this end the provision of divine dispensation established that ranks and various orders should be distinct, so that while inferiors showed reverence to superiors, and superiors bestowed love upon inferiors, one harmonious fabric might be woven from diversity, and the proper administration of each one's duties might be rightly ordered. For the whole could not subsist by any other means, unless this great order of distinction preserved it. But since creation cannot be governed or live in one and the same equality, the example of the heavenly hosts instructs us: for since there are angels and archangels, it is clear that they are not equal, but differ one from another in power and order, as you know.

If therefore among those who are without sin this distinction is established, what man would refuse to submit himself willingly to this arrangement? For from this, peace and charity embrace one another in mutual turn, and the sincerity of concord remains firm in mutual and God-pleasing love: because each duty is then healthfully fulfilled, when there is one superior to whom recourse can be had. Concerning the parish churches, therefore, about which you wished to consult the apostolic see, how they are to be kept throughout the province of Cordova and distributed among priests, nothing seems better to us to make known to your charity than that you follow what is known to have been done by us recently in the Roman Church.

We have given individual churches to individual priests, we have divided parishes and cemeteries among them, and we have decreed that each one should have his own proper right, namely in such a way that no one should encroach upon the lands, boundaries, or right of another's parish, but each one should be content with his own boundaries, and should so keep the church and people committed to you, that before the tribunal of the eternal judge he may render an account of all things committed to him, and may receive not judgment but glory for his deeds. This rule also, dearest one, it is fitting that you and all bishops follow: and what is written to you, make known to as many as you can, so that this precept may be not particular but general.

The crimes which you say are charged against bishops, do not allow to be brought in any way by others, except by those very persons who press the charges: provided however that they themselves shall have appeared worthy and irreproachable, and shall have shown by public records that they are entirely free from suspicion and enmity, and lead an irreproachable faith and manner of life. For no one who has confessed concerning himself can be believed regarding another's crime, since his confession of that and of every matter is dangerous and ought not to be admitted.

Likewise we cannot and ought not to receive one who is a partner in another's error, or one who voluntarily departs from the path of his own chosen purpose, or one who hinders the sacred rules and constitutions of the fathers: nor do we permit anyone to attack those who believe rightly or who obey the sanctions of the holy fathers: because we judge all to be infamous who transgress either their own or the Christian law, or who willingly set aside apostolic or regular authority. These things therefore, dearest brother, which we bestow out of affection for the priestly name and honor, we command to be held by you and your subjects, and to be announced and proclaimed to all others, for whom let piety be unto profit and love be unto fruit. Wherefore by rebuking, exhorting, persuading, soothing, consoling, let us hasten to benefit those whom we can. Let our tongue be a comfort to the good, a goad to the wicked.

Let it blunt the timid, soften the angry, sharpen the slothful, kindle the idle by exhortation, persuade those who flee, soothe the harsh, console the despairing, so that since we are called teachers, we may show the way of salvation to those who walk it. Let us be watchful in our guard, let us diligently fortify the entrance against the snares of the enemy. And if at any time error shall have led astray a lost sheep from the flocks committed to us, let us strive with all our effort to call it back to the Lord's fold, so that for the name of shepherd which we bear, we may obtain not punishment but reward.

Since therefore in all these things the help of divine grace is needed, let us beseech with unceasing prayers the clemency of almighty God, that for the doing of these things he may grant us both the will and the power, and may direct us in that way, with the fruits of good work, which the shepherd of shepherds testified himself to be, so that without whom we can do nothing, through him we may be able to accomplish all things. Given on the fifth day before the Ides of September, in the consulship of Claudius and Paternus, most distinguished men.