Canon
XVII.
(
Greek
.)
At
the suggestion moreover of
our brother Olympius,
401
we are pleased to
decree this also: That if a bishop suffer violence and is
unjustly cast out either on account of his discipline or for his
confession of [the faith of] the Catholic Church or for his defence of
the truth, and, fleeing from danger, although innocent and devout [or,
innocent and being under charge of high treason], comes to another
city, let him not be forbidden to stay there until he is restored or
until deliverance can be found from the violence and injustice that
have been done him. For it would be harsh indeed and most
oppressive that one who has suffered unjust expulsion should not be
harboured by us; as such a man ought to be received with the greatest
consideration and cordiality.*
All said: This also is our pleasure.
(
Latin
.)
At
the suggestion of our brother
Olympius, we are pleased to decree this also: That if any suffer
violence and is unjustly cast out on account of his discipline and his
Catholic confession or for his defence of the truth, and, fleeing from
dangers, although innocent and devout, comes to another city, let him
not be forbidden to stay there until he can return or his wrong has
been redressed. For it is harsh and unfeeling that he who is
suffering persecution should not be received; indeed, great cordiality
and abundant consideration should be shown him.
All the synod said: All that has been decreed the
Catholic Church spread abroad throughout all the world will preserve
and maintain.
And all the bishops of the various provinces who had
assembled subscribed thus:
I, N., bishop of the city of N. and the province of N.,
so believe as above is written.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon
XVII.
If a bishop goes into another province after he has been
unjustly expelled from his own, he should be received, until he has
been delivered from his injury.
This is Canon XXI. of the Latin and the last.
Van Espen.
St. Gregory seems to have had this canon in mind when he
wrote to the bishops of Illyria (Lib. III.,
Epist
. xliij.), who
had been cast out by the hostility of the barbarians.
401
The Greek text of Bev.
begins here and ends at the asterisk.