Money for the African Clergy

“Constantine Augustus to Caecilian, bishop of Carthage. Since it has pleased me that in all the provinces, the Africas, the Numidias and the Mauretanias, something should be given toward their expenses to certain named ministers of the lawful and most holy catholic religion, I have written to Ursus, the most eminent finance officer of Africa, and have instructed him to see to it that three thousand folles are paid out to Your Firmness. [a] So when you have received the sum of money mentioned, order it to be distributed to all those named above, according to the list sent to you by Hosius. [c] But if you find that anything is lacking for carrying out this purpose of mine toward all of them, you should ask without hesitation for whatever you find necessary from Heraclides, the steward of our estates. For I gave him orders in person that if Your Firmness asks him for any money, he is to see that it is paid out without any delay. [d]

And since I have learned that certain men of unsettled mind wish to lead the people of the most holy catholic church astray by some base corruption, know that I have given orders in person to Anulinus the proconsul, and also to Patricius, the deputy of the prefects, that among all their other duties they should give this matter proper attention above all, and not allow such a thing to be overlooked when it happens. So if you see any such men persisting in this madness, go without hesitation to the judges named above and report it to them, so that they may turn them back, as I ordered them in person. May the divinity of the great God keep you safe for many years.” [e]