Letter 57

From: Ruricius, bishop of Limoges To: Same recipient Date: ~507 AD Context: Ruricius intercedes for a young man named Eparchius who has offended the recipient, sending a priest as his ambassador. Another letter to the same. Our sons Ommatius and Eparchius have sent me a letter full of tears and lamentation, begging me especially to intercede with Your Holiness on behalf of our son Eparchius's ignorant offense. They are confident that for the sake of our mutual love, you should refuse me nothing. I have accordingly sent our priest Eusebiolus to your devotion in this matter. Through him I send my warmest greetings and ask that, after giving the young man a sufficient admonition as is proper, you would be willing to grant pardon for his error.

LVII. ITEM AD IPSUM. Filii nostri Ommatius et Eparchius ad me litteras plenas lacrimis et deploratione miserunt specialiter deprecantes, ut apud sanctitatem uestram pro ignorantia ipsius filii nostri Eparchii intercessor exsisterem, confidentes, quod pro amore mutuo nihil nobis negare deberetis, idemque presbyterum nostrum Eusebiolum ad pietatem uestram in hac causa direxi. per quem saluto plurimum et rogo, ut praefato, sicut decet, sufficienter admonito indulgentiam errori illius dare pro nostra supplicatione dignemini, quia, sicut in defensione peccati stulte atque infideliter perduranti culpa, donec agnoscat reatum, (non) debet relaxari, ita agnitio peccati debet conferre ueniam confitenti. remedium est enim mali confessio non simulata delicti nec ultioni publicae relinquitur locus, ubi reus conscientia torquente punitur.