Carthage, Canon 92: The Form for Summoning the Donatists

Canon 92. The form for summoning the Donatists.

The bishop of that church said: “We ask your gravity to have read what we have obtained by the authority of that most ample see, and to order it to be added to the records and carried out.” When the order had been read and added to the records, the bishop of the catholic church said: “Please listen to the message to be sent to the Donatists through your gravity. Have it entered in the records, carry it to them, and inform us in your records of their answer. “‘We, sent by the authority of our catholic council, have called you together, wishing to rejoice in your correction. We bear in mind the love of the Lord, who said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.” Moreover, he warned through the prophet that to those who say they are not our brothers, we ought to say, “You are our brothers.” So you ought not to despise this peaceable visit of love that comes to admonish you. If you think we have any part of the truth, do not hesitate to say so. “‘That is, when your council is gathered, delegate some of your number to whom you entrust the statement of your case. Then we can do the same, and delegates from our council, together with those delegated by you, may discuss peacefully, at a set place and time, whatever question there is that separates your communion from us. So at last the old error may come to an end, with the help of our Lord God, so that weak souls and ignorant people do not perish by sacrilegious dissension through the hostility of men. If you accept this proposal in a brotherly spirit, the truth will easily shine out; but if you are not willing to do this, your distrust will easily be known.’” When this had been read, all the bishops said: “This pleases us well; let it be so.” And they signed: “I, Aurelius, bishop of the church of Carthage, have consented to this decree and, having read it, have signed it.” The rest of the bishops signed in the same way. [a]

This synod sent a delegation to the emperors against the Donatists. In the sixth consulship of the most glorious emperor Honorius Augustus, on the Calends of July, at Carthage, in the basilica of the second district. In this council Theasius and Evodius were given a commission as legates against the Donatists. In this council the instructions that follow were inserted. [e]