Letter 31

So that you may know what letters I've sent to the clergy in Rome and what they've written back to me — and also what Moyses, Maximus, Rufinus, Nicostratus, and the rest of the confessors in prison have replied to my letters — I'm sending you copies of everything. Read them carefully. Make sure, with as much diligence as you can, that what I've written and what they've replied is communicated to our brothers. If any bishops from other regions, or any presbyters or deacons, are currently with you or should arrive, let them hear all of this from you. And if anyone wants to make copies of the letters to take back to their own communities, give them every opportunity to do so. I've also instructed our brother Saturus the reader to allow copying to anyone who asks. The goal, for the present, is that everyone who is managing the affairs of the Church maintain one consistent and faithful agreement. As for the other matters that need to be addressed — as I've also written to several of my colleagues — we'll deliberate on those more fully in a common council, when, by the Lord's permission, we can all assemble in one place. I bid you, brothers beloved and longed for, ever heartily farewell. Greet the brotherhood for me.

Epistle 31 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 Carthaginian Clergy, About the Letters Sent to Rome, and Received Thence. Argument.— The Carthaginian Clergy are Requested to Take Care that the Letters of the Roman Clergy and Cyprian's Answer are Communicated. Cyprian to the presbyters and deacons, his brethren, greeting. That you, my beloved brethren, might know what letters I have sent to the clergy acting at Rome, and what they have replied to me, and, moreover, what Moyses and Maximus, the presbyters, and Rufinus and Nicostratus, the deacons, and the rest of the confessors that with them are kept in prison, replied likewise to my letters, I have sent you copies to read. Do you take care, with as much diligence as you can, that what I have written, and what they have replied, be made known to our brethren. And, moreover, if any bishops from foreign places, my colleagues, or presbyters, or deacons, should be present, or should arrive among you, let them hear all these matters from you; and if they wish to transcribe copies of the letters and to take them to their own people, let them have the opportunity of transcribing them; although I have, moreover, bidden Saturus the reader, our brother, to give liberty of copying them to any individuals who wish it; so that, in ordering, for the present, the condition of the Church in any manner, an agreement, one and faithful, may be observed by all. But about the other matters which were to be dealt with, as I have also written to several of my colleagues, we will more fully consider them in a common council, when, by the Lord's permission, we shall begin to assemble into one place. I bid you, brethren, beloved and longed-for, ever heartily farewell. Salute the brotherhood. Farewell.