Letter 29

From: Avitus, bishop of Vienne To: Amandus (bishop?) Date: ~516 AD Context: Avitus urges the resumption of twice-yearly episcopal synods, which have lapsed through neglect, and warns that the Pope has expressed displeasure at this failure. [Bishop Avitus to Amandus.] It has been a long time since we have been putting off — through either forgetfulness or the press of business — something that is truly necessary and was established by our fathers not without divine inspiration. But the bonds of necessity must sometimes be broken so that the obligations of our calling can at last be fulfilled. The synods that the care of our predecessors decreed should be held twice a year by the bishops — if you think it through — we have been holding barely once every two years, even counting them generously. The venerable Pope of Rome has not hidden his displeasure with us over this negligence; his sharp words to me on the subject have given me no small discomfort. [The letter continues with practical arrangements for resuming regular synodal meetings, discussing locations, timing, and the agenda items that have accumulated during the years of neglect. Avitus makes clear that the papal rebuke has added urgency to what was already a pressing institutional need.]

[Avitus episcopus Amando], Diu est, quod rem valde necessariam et non sine divina inspiratione a patribus institutam aut oblivione aut occupatione differimus. Sed rumpenda sunt interdum vin- cula necessitatum, ut aliquando impleri possint debita praeceptorum. Conventus ergo, quos bis per annum a sacerdotibus fieri cura seniorum decreverat, si bene perpenditis, adsiduitate vel singulos post biennia faceremus. Nam et venerabilis papae urbis nobis ob hanc neglegentiam succensentis mordacia mihi nonnumquam scripta perlata sunt. Vnde supplicat per me, si dignamini, ecclesia Viennensis, poscit intermissae consuetudinis rediviva salubritas, quod hactenus infrequentatum torpuit, excitari. Iustum est, quantum reor, ut constitutis prioribus sub communis praesentiae oppor- tunitate tractatis nostris simul nobisque, prout ordo collocutionis invenerit, vel in- sinuemus vetera vel, si necesse est, etiam nostra iungamus. Idcirco cuncti simul poscimus fratres, ut deo favente octavo iduum Septembrium die in parochia Epao- nensi adesse dignemini, ubi medius atque omnium fatigatione perpensa conventui satis opportunus locus electus est, sicut et tempus, in quantum fieri potest ab in- stantia ruralis operis vacuum liberiorem cunctis permittit excursum. Quamquam ec- clesiae potior causa intermitti quaslibet terrarum posceret actiones. Supplicamus ergo et quaesumus, testamur obtestamurque, ne quem a dispositione tam sancta obex ul- lius excusationis abducat; ne quem a tali caritatis vinculo nexus temporaneae neces- sitatis impediat. Sed si forte, quod deus avertat, tanta acerbitas corporeae infirmitatis ingruerit, ut spiritale desiderium carnali vincatur incommodo, duos presbyteros magnae ac probabilis vitae mandati instructione firmatos fratribus pro se praesentare procuret. Et tales dignetur eligere, quos episcoporum concilio non minus scientia quam reveren- tia iure faciat interesse; cum quibus delectet summos pontifices conferre sermonem; quos ad definitiones pro episcopo suo continendas subscribendasque cum fuerit soller- tia eligi, sit auctoritas legi. Set istud non extorqueat nisi summa necessitas. Ceterum dilectionis fraternae ac pastoralis diligentiae magnitudo nisi laboris magnitudine non probatur. Conicit enim sanctitas vestra, post hoc longum abusionis nostrae silentium qualiter aut definiri, quae praestante deo tractanda sunt, aut, quae definita fuerint, universis ecclesiarum provinciae nostrae ministris debeant intimari.