The Life of Augustine of Hippo
Part Three: The Pelagian Crisis (411–430)
Edited By Frederick Van Fleteren
Article 331: Leporius (3)
Extract
ARTICLE 331
Leporius (3)
Leporius addressed his retraction to Proculus and Cylinnus along with a request for pardon.1 According to Cassian, Leporius had written his retraction to the entire Gallic church.2 Doubtless Leporius had written the retraction with the intention of promulgating it in Gaul. He signed the retraction in Carthage in the presence of bishops, at least Aurelius of Carthage, Augustine, Florence of Hippo-Dhiarrytes, and Secundus (or Secundinus) of Acqs or Megarme.3 The latter is named in the conference of Carthage (411) as Secundus of Megarmel. Megarmel is a city in Numidia, today under the name of Vagarmel.4 Domninus and Bonus, Leporius disciples, signed Leporius’ retraction professing the same faith. They witness their change of mind by signatures before the bishops.5
The African bishops signed Leporius’ retraction to witness it was truly ascribed to him and to approve its teaching.6 The bishops will write a letter to Proculus and Cylinnus concerning conversion of Leporius and his companions.7 The African bishops glorified God over their conversions. The Africans did not accuse the severity of the Gallic bishops; on the contrary they praised it and said without it their kindness would perhaps have been fruitless. The African bishops request the Gallic bishops to agree to Leporius’ retraction, to receive his retraction since they had accepted it from him personally, and to promulgate the retraction to those formerly scandalized by his error. By their responses, the bishops should gladly participate in learning of their brothers’ correction...
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