Canon L. (Greek
liv.)
How many bishops should be added to the number of those
ordaining, if any opposition had been made to the one to be
ordained.
But
this should be decreed, that
when we shall have met together to choose a bishop, if any opposition
shall arise, because such things have been treated by us, the three
shall not presume to purge
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him who was to be
ordained, but one or two more shall be asked to be added to the
aforesaid number, and the persons of those objecting shall first be
discussed in the same place (
plebe
) for which he was to be
ordained. And last of all the objections shall be considered; and
only after he has been cleared in the
public sight shall he at last be
ordained. If this agrees with the mind of your holiness, let it
be confirmed by the answer of your worthiness. All the bishops
said, We are well pleased.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon L.
If any controversy arise concerning a bishop who has
been elected by three bishops, let two others be coöpted, and so
let there be an examination made of his affairs; and if it shall appear
that he is pure, let him be ordained.
This canon is Canon iij., of the Synod of Carthage, Aug.
28th, 397.
Johnson.
Here the bishops meet to choose a new one, and it is
evident by the foregoing canon, that they met not in the vacant church,
but in that of the Primate; and that therefore not the people, but the
bishops had the chief share in the election. The people might
make their objections, which supposes they knew who their intended
bishop was; but the bishops were the judges of the cause. And it
seems probable, that if there were any dispute, some of the bishops
went to the vacant church to hear the allegations against the person
that was elected, or proposed.
452
The Greek reads
“to depose him,” and varies considerably from the
Latin. I have followed the Latin but confess that in part I have
failed to catch a meaning. The Greek is perfectly clear, as
usual.