Letter 24

From: [Lombard clergy, synodal letter] To: [Lombard church] Date: ~650 AD Context: A synodal letter from the Lombard church addressing the Three Chapters controversy and internal discipline. The holy synod of the Lombard church to all the faithful. We have met and addressed several matters of ongoing concern to the church in this kingdom. On the Three Chapters: we continue to maintain our position that the condemnation of the Three Chapters at Constantinople was illegitimate and that Chalcedon's authority cannot be amended by subsequent political pressure. We note, however, that the next generation of bishops will need to address this question afresh, and we urge that they do so with both firmness and pastoral wisdom. The division of the Italian church is causing real harm; we do not want to see it perpetuated unnecessarily. On internal discipline: certain clergy have been taking advantage of the disorder caused by recent events to conduct themselves in ways inconsistent with their orders. This is condemned. Clergy who have been found living with women who are not their legitimate wives, or who have been conducting services for payment without episcopal authorization, or who have been claiming revenues to which they are not entitled — these men are to be brought before the bishop of their diocese for correction. On the education of the young: we note with concern that the schools maintained in several monasteries and cathedral churches have deteriorated significantly. The education of the next generation of clergy requires investment, and that investment must be made now. Given in synod. The assembled bishops.