Letter 3

From: Pope Hilary, bishop of Rome To: Ascanius and the bishops of Tarraconensis Date: ~465 AD Context: Hilary writes to the bishops of the Spanish province of Tarraconensis addressing a dispute about episcopal elections and ordinations that had been brought to Rome on appeal. Hilary, bishop of Rome, to our beloved brother Ascanius and to the other bishops of the province of Tarraconensis, greetings. The case that has been brought to us from your province requires a clear determination, and we make it now. The ordination performed by Bishop Silvanus without the required participation of the metropolitan and without the consent of the clergy of the diocese in question is irregular and cannot be recognized as valid until it is regularized through the proper canonical procedure. We do not say this to cause disruption but to maintain the integrity of the process by which the church selects and installs its leaders. The bishop so ordained is not to exercise episcopal functions until his ordination has been properly reviewed. We ask Ascanius, as the senior bishop of your province, to convene the necessary assembly and to conduct the review in accordance with the canons. The specific question of whether Silvanus acted in good faith or with deliberate disregard for canonical requirements will be part of that review. We ask that it be conducted with charity toward all parties and with the primary concern being the welfare of the diocese whose leadership is in question. We await the report of your proceedings. Hilary, bishop of Rome