150. Ye also remember how often we entered
on a contest against the royal attacks, on behalf of the trust-money
belonging to widows, yea, and to others as well. You and I shared
this in common. I will also mention the late case of the Church
at Ticinum, which was in danger of losing the widow’s trust-money
that it had received. This was attempted by
the Emperor Valentinian II., who was induced to act in this way by his
mother Justina. She being an Arian was only too ready to harass
in every possible way a Catholic bishop such as Ambrose of Ticinum
was. For when he
who wanted to claim it on some imperial rescript demanded it, the
clergy did not maintain their rights. For they themselves, having
once been called to office and sent to intervene, now supposed that
they could not oppose the emperor’s orders. The plain words
of the rescript were read, the orders of the chief officer of the court
were there, he who was to act in the matter was at hand. What
more was to be said? It was handed over.