Letter 13

I've read your letter, dear brothers, and I'm glad your sound counsel has not been lacking. You've rightly reminded our brothers to lay aside rash impatience and show a patient, reverent spirit toward God — so that when, by His mercy, we come together again, we can deliberate on every matter according to the discipline of the Church. As it is written: "Remember from where you have fallen, and repent." The person who truly repents is the one who, remembering God's commands, submits with humility and patience, obeying the priests of God and earning His favor through obedience and righteous works. However, I understand that some are being pushy, pressing hard to be received back to communion immediately. They want a rule from me on this matter. I think I addressed this sufficiently in my last letter. Those who have received a certificate from the martyrs, and can be supported by their intercession with God, may — if they are seized by illness or the danger of death — confess before you, receive the laying on of hands for repentance, and be sent to the Lord with the peace the martyrs requested for them. But those who have received no certificate from any martyr, and who are not in danger of death — these must wait. Let no one's impatience override the order of the Church. The persecution is not yet over. We are still in the thick of it. When peace comes, when the bishop can be present, when the whole community can weigh in — then, and only then, will each case be examined on its merits. Patience is not a denial of mercy. It is mercy properly administered.

Epistle 13 Please help support the mission of New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download. Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible and more — all for only $19.99... To the Clergy, Concerning Those Who are in Haste to Receive Peace. A.D. 250. Argument.— Peace Must Be Attained Through Penitence, and Penitence is Realized by Keeping the Commandments. They Who are Oppressed with Sickness, If They are Relieved by the Suffrages of the Martyrs, May Be Admitted to Peace; But Others are to Be Kept Back Until the Peace of the Church is Secured. 1. Cyprian to the presbyters and deacons, his brethren, greeting. I have read your letter, beloved brethren, wherein you wrote that your wholesome counsel was not wanting to our brethren, that, laying aside all rash haste, they should manifest a religious patience to God, so that when by His mercy we come together, we may debate upon all kinds of things, according to the discipline of the Church, especially since it is written, Remember from whence you have fallen, and repent. Revelation 2:5 Now he repents, who, remembering the divine precept, with meekness and patience, and obeying the priests of God, deserves well of the Lord by his obedience and his righteous works. 2. Since, however, you intimate that some are petulant, and eagerly urge their being received to communion, and have desired in this matter that some rule should be given by me to you, I think I have sufficiently written on this subject in the last letter that was sent to you, that they who have received a certificate from the martyrs, and can be assisted by their help with the Lord in respect of their sins, if they begin to be oppressed with any sickness or risk; when they have made confession, and have received the imposition of hands on them by you in acknowledgment of their penitence, should be remitted to the Lord with the peace promised to them by the martyrs. But others who, without having received any certificate from the martyrs, are envious (since this is the cause not of a few, nor of one church, nor of one province, but of the whole world), must wait, in dependence on the protection of the Lord, for the public peace of the Church itself. For this is suitable to the modesty and the discipline, and even the life of all of us, that the chief officers meeting together with the clergy in the presence also of the people who stand fast, to whom themselves, moreover, honour is to be shown for their faith and fear, we may be able to order all things with the religiousness of a common consultation. But how irreligious is it, and mischievous, even to those themselves who are eager, that while such as are exiles, and driven from their country, and spoiled of all their property, have not yet returned to the Church, some of the lapsed should be hasty to anticipate even confessors themselves, and to enter into the Church before them! If they are so over-anxious, they have what they require in their own power, the times themselves offering them freely more than they ask. The struggle is still going forward, and the strife is daily celebrated. If they truly and with constancy repent of what they have done, and the fervour of their faith prevails, he who cannot be delayed may be crowned. I bid you, beloved brethren, ever heartily farewell; and have me in remembrance. Greet all the brotherhood in my name, and tell them to be mindful of me. Farewell.