Cyprian Epistle XVIII - Cadonius

[worldwideweary]

Cyprian — Epistle XVIII (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/050618.htm) contains a statement by the bishop named Cadonius stating:

The necessity of the times induces us not hastily to grant peace.

Juxtaposed with the Agnus Dei which pleads for the Lamb of God to grant peace, how is the laity to understand the operations related to the presbytery as related to “granting peace”, especially as related to not in haste?

 

[Fauken]

how is the laity to understand the operations related to the presbytery as related to “granting peace”, especially as related to not in haste ?

It’s calling on us to not be hasty to grant peace, not God. God grants it as He wills.

 

[worldwideweary]

The statement was directed specifically to a presbyter according to the letter: Cyprian.
How does a presbyter grant peace (specifically not in haste), in relation to what Paul wrote: “If possible, as to yourselves, with all men being at peace” (Romans 12:18)?

 

[Tis_Bearself]

The context of what you are posting notes that this is a case of lapsed Christians wanting back into the Church. This was an issue of considerable debate in the early Church. Obviously when you have a lot of Christians who refused to deny Christ and were horribly tortured, killed and maimed, it’s a bit difficult to accept Christians who sacrificed to the pagan gods to get out of punishment and now that the threat is past, want back into the Christians.

The author is basically saying this is a serious matter and we don’t rush to re-accept such people. But then he goes on to mention a couple cases where he feels the people maybe deserve “peace” of being re-accepted, and explains why, and then leaves the decision to whom he is writing to.

I have no idea why you’re cherry-picking one sentence from this and saying it doesn’t agree with Scripture. You need to read things in context and with comprehension of what’s happening.

 

[worldwideweary]

I have no idea why you’re cherry-picking one sentence from this and saying it doesn’t agree with Scripture.

It would make sense as to why you have no idea, since it wasn’t said or written that it was not in agreement with scripture. Though, as you mention martyrdom, it is quite interesting that those who were in the church had been persecuted and martyred, while peace is considered to be requiring caution in its being granted to people who aren’t being persecuted because they are supposed to be outside of the Church. All the while, this is before the Edict of Milan (AD313 – Cyprian is said to have died AD258).

At any rate, thanks for the response. It seems as if you’re saying that those who stopped associating with Christians at the time, but then later desired association again were up for consideration as to their worth of being “granted peace” by the presbyters, i.e., re-association from a presbyter’s perspective. The parable of the ninety-nine and one sheep come to mind from Matthew 18.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Like I said, this was a continuing issue for quite a while. I seem to recall one Pope suffered greatly for trying to be merciful and re-accept Christians who had apostatized. A lot of his flock did not agree with his position.

It’s a bit understandable from a practical security standpoint. People who had shown themselves to be weak links might betray others to save themselves. Most groups taking a dangerous position will try to weed out undependable people.

 

[worldwideweary]

They went out from us, but they didn’t belong to us

 

[Genesis315]

Jesus gave bishops the power to forgive and “retain” sins. There’s a reason absolution is not automatic–there can be appropriate times to “retain” sins, at least for a while. In the case of lapsi, St. Cyprian was more on the rigorous side of things, but in general even today there are appropriate times to not automatically grant peace.

For example, we are not hasty in receiving converts–there’s a process they need to go through before we will baptize them or admit them to the other sacraments. And when if it turns out someone is not properly disposed, withholding baptism or penance is often appropriate.