Letter 54

From: Ambrose, Bishop of Milan To: The bishops of the Milan metropolitan province Date: ~389 AD Context: A circular letter to suffragan bishops establishing guidelines for episcopal conduct, addressing abuses that had come to Ambrose's attention in several northern Italian dioceses. Ambrose to his brothers in the episcopate — greetings in the Lord. Reports have reached me from several of your churches that require my attention as your metropolitan. First: I am told that certain bishops have been ordaining clergy without proper examination. A man's willingness to serve does not prove his fitness to serve. Every candidate for the diaconate or the priesthood must be examined on his doctrine, his morals, and his temperament. An unqualified cleric does more damage than an empty position, because he fills a space that should have been held open for someone worthy. Second: some of your churches have been alienating church property — selling lands donated by the faithful — to settle personal debts or fund building projects beyond your means. The property of the Church belongs to the poor, not to the bishop's ambitions. I repeat what I have often said: we are stewards, not proprietors. Third: I have heard complaints about bishops who rarely visit the outlying areas of their dioceses. The people in the countryside are as much your flock as the people in the cathedral city. If you cannot visit personally, send your archdeacon. But someone must go. A shepherd who stays in the sheepfold while the sheep wander the hills is no shepherd. Fourth: maintain the peace among yourselves. Episcopal jealousy is the scandal that most delights our enemies. If you have a dispute with a fellow bishop, bring it to me — or to a council — before it becomes public. The world is watching, and it judges Christ by the conduct of his ministers. I write in love, brothers, but love that does not correct is not love. Let us be worthy of the office to which we have been called. Farewell.

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