Letter 5

From: Pope Hilary, bishop of Rome To: Leontius, Bishop of Arles Date: ~463 AD Context: Hilary writes to Leontius about a specific case involving a bishop named Hermes who had been illegally ordained to a see that already had a bishop. Hilary, bishop of Rome, to Leontius of Arles, greetings. The case of Hermes requires your intervention, and we write to clarify the situation and to authorize the action you should take. The facts as we have established them: the diocese in question was not vacant at the time Hermes was ordained. A bishop was already in place, legitimately installed. The ordination of a second bishop to the same see is canonically impossible and the ordination of Hermes cannot stand regardless of whatever local pressures or misunderstandings led to it. We recognize that Hermes may have acted in good faith and that those who promoted his ordination may have believed they were acting within their authority. The question of their good faith is one for pastoral discernment. The canonical question is clear: there cannot be two bishops of one see, and when a legitimate bishop is in place, no other person can validly receive ordination to that see. We ask you, as metropolitan, to handle this matter with the firmness that the canonical situation requires and the pastoral sensitivity that the human situation calls for. Hermes is to be informed that his ordination cannot be recognized; the existing bishop is to be confirmed in his position; and the parties who orchestrated this situation are to be required to answer for it. Hilary, bishop of Rome