Lecture 11: Perils of Corrupt Clergy Dr. Ann T. Orlando

Outline Primary concern about ‘bad’ clergy before Constantine: driven by fear and schism during persecutions Primary concern after Constantine: driven by greed and corruption

Polycarp’s Letter to Philippians Polycarp (69-155) was bishop of Smyrna Ignatius of Antioch wrote a letter to him Philippians had previously written to Polycarp asking his guidance on several issues of faith and church structure Including what to do about lapsed presbyters Irenaeus of Lyons knew Polycarp as a young boy

Efforts to Return Christians to Pagan Worship in 3rd C ‘Everyone’ made a citizen of Roman Empire by Caracalla in 212 Consolidate Roman Rule and administration of Roman laws throughout the Empire Military draft Taxes All Roman citizens were expected to offer sacrifice to Roman gods for the benefit of the Empire

Decian Persecutions First Empire-wide persecutions promulgated by Emperor Decius, 250 Political instability within Empire Increased threats from Persia and Northern barbarians Required that everyone offer sacrifice for the Empire; Required that everyone show their libellus (little book) or certificate to prove that they offered sacrifice Required that Christians hand over their sacred books to be burned Anyone who did not comply was condemned to death as a traitor Tertullian, North African Christianity

Church Leaders During Persecutions In 3rd C ecclesial leaders were often targeted by Roman authorities for persecution Bishops were known as teaching and organizational leaders Deacons were seen as very important Popular (and publically visible) because distributed alms Managed Church property that was often confiscated

Serious Sins of the Clergy During Persecution Paying (church) funds to avoid persecution Giving names of Christians to authorities Sacrificing to gods Handing over the Scriptures to be burned

Questions About How to Respond to Fallen Church Leaders Were the fallen leaders genuinely ordained? That they relented to persecution indicated that they were not If they were not genuine ministers, then what of the validity of the sacraments offered by them Baptism by fallen bishops not valid Bishops, priests and deacons ordained by them were not validly ordained If lapsed ministers repented, should they be allowed to resume their offices Novation and Donatists Controversies

Cyprian Letter 65 Should a lapsed bishop (sacerdos) be allowed to act as bishop, even after he repents? What is precise meaning of the Latin? Ne adhuc agere pro sacerdote conentur Does it mean he is no longer a bishop (with implications for sacramental character?) or that he not be allowed to lead the people Different translators with differing confessional interests translate this differently

Letter 65 (or 63 or 64) ANF translation (Letter 63.3) ….that they attempt not any longer to act in the character of priest CUA translation (Letter 65.3) …lest they still attempt to act as bishops

Re-Ordination Controversy Important because indicates whether priestly ordination was like Baptism or could be re-administered (also with character implications) Key discussion around Novation schismatics in Canon VIII of Nicaea Concerning those who call themselves Cathari (Novations), if they come over to the Catholic and Apostolic Church, the great and holy Synod decrees that they who are ordained shall continue as they are in the clergy. But it is before all things necessary that they should profess in writing that they will observe and follow the dogmas of the Catholic and Apostolic Church; in particular that they will communicate with persons who have been twice married, and with those who having lapsed in persecution have had a period [of penance] laid upon them, and a time [of restoration] fixed so that in all things they will follow the dogmas of the Catholic Church. Wheresoever, then, whether in villages or in cities, all of the ordained are found to be of these only, let them remain in the clergy, and in the same rank in which they are found. But if they come over where there is a bishop or presbyter of the Catholic Church, it is manifest that the Bishop of the Church must have the bishop's dignity; and he who was named bishop by those who are called Cathari shall have the rank of presbyter, unless it shall seem fit to the Bishop to admit him to partake in the honor of the title. Or, if this should not be satisfactory, then shall the bishop provide for him a place as Chorepiscopus, or presbyter, in order that he may be evidently seen to be of the clergy, and that there may not be two bishops in the city.

Major Changes in 4th C Due to Constantine and his successors Social and Political Sunday as a day of rest Constantinople as New Rome Legal Bishops could act as judges in their diocese (Roman administrative province) Crucifixion prohibited No branding of prisoners because mars image of God Economic Christian could not charge another Christian interest on a loan (sin of usury) Christian clergy given tax relief Churches could receive legacies Athanasius

Issues With Clergy Avarice Power and Social advancement Access to vast properties Received legacies (on behalf of Church) Received and accounted for tithes Power and Social advancement Clergy become among most powerful members of society Prone to corruption and misuse of office

Political Corruption Corruption is an abuse of the authority, legitimacy and/or purpose of political system. Types of corruption: Bribery Nepotism Simony A definition of corruption: An act is corrupt if it is performed by an agent of an institution if and only if: It undermines some institutional process and/or purpose of some institution, and/or It contributes to the despoiling of the moral character of the occupant of the institution because they are an agent of the institution And at least one of (a) or (b) is true: (a) In performing the act, the agent of the institution foresaw or expected a morally wrong effect (b) The agent did not have to perform the act See http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/corruption/

St. Ambrose (340-397) Milan now military capitol of Western Empire to counter Goths Wrote a very influential Duties of Clergy Written to stop/prevent corruption of clergy Explicitly based on Cicero On Duties Written by Cicero in as a critique against corruption of recently assassinated Julius Caesar Tried to address proper conduct of public figures

Outline of Ambrose De Officiis Follows general structure of Cicero’s work Book I: What is honorable in duty Book II: What is useful in duty Book III: Are there conflicts between honorable and useful Read Book I Focus on 7.23-16.64 and 49.249-50.267

Issues for Augustine Augustine was always concerned about right conduct by clergy who were supposed to lead the sheep, as discussed in Sermon 46 Augustine wanted his clergy to live with him, distributing their property to the poor However, at least one presbyter kept back some money for his children Created controversy among the people of Hippo Augustine discusses this in two homilies (355 and 356)

Assignments Polycarp, Letter to Philippians Cyprian, “Letter 1 and 65” Ambrose, On Duties of Clergy 7.23-16.64; 49.249-50.267 Augustine, Sermons 355, 356, 46