Canon LXXXV. (Greek
lxxxviii.)
That by the bishop of Carthage, when there shall be
need, letters shall be written and subscribed in the name of all the
bishops.
It
was said by all the
bishops: If any letters are to be composed in the name of the
council it seemed good that the venerable bishop who presides over this
See should vouchsafe to dictate and sign them in the name of all, among
which also are those to the episcopal legates, who are to be sent
throughout the African provinces, in the matter of the Donatists; and
it seemed good that the letters given them should contain the tenor of
the mandate which they are not to go beyond. And they
subscribed: I, Aurelius, bishop of the church of Carthage have
consented to this decree and having read it have signed it.
Likewise all the rest of the bishops subscribed.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon
LXXXV.
It seemed good that whatever letters were to be sent
from the Synod should be written and subscribed by the bishop of
Carthage in the name of all.
This is Canon xix. of Carthage, September,
a.d.
401.
In this Council previous decrees are confirmed.
In the fifth consulate of the most glorious Emperors
Arcadius and Honorius, Augusti, the VI Calends of September, in the
City of Milevis, in the secretarium of the basilica, when Aurelius the
bishop of Carthage had taken his seat in plenary council, the deacons
standing by, Aurelius, the bishop, said: Since the body of the
holy Church is one, and there is one head of all the members, it has
come to pass by the divine permission and assistance given to our
weakness, that we, invited out of brotherly love, have come to this
church. Wherefore I beg your charity to believe that our coming
to you is neither superfluous, nor unacceptable to all; and that the
consent of all of us may make it manifest that we agree with the
decrees already confirmed by the Council at Hippo or which were defined
afterwards by a larger synod at Carthage, these shall now be read to us
in order. Then at last the agreement of your holiness will appear
clearer than light, if they know that the things lawfully defined by us
in former councils, ye have set forth, not only by your consent to
these acts, but also by your subscriptions.
Xantippus, bishop of the first see of Numidia
said: I believe what pleased all the brethren and the statutes
they confirmed with their hands; we by our subscribing our names shew
that it pleases us also, and have confirmed them with our
superscription.
Nicetius, the bishop of the first see of Mauritania
Sitifensis said: The decrees which have been read, since they do
not lack reason, and have been approved by all, these also are pleasing
to my littleness, and I will confirm them with my
subscription.