Estranged Bishops

Julius Danio, Flacillo, Narcisso, Eusebio, Mari, Macedonio, Theodoro et sociis eorum, qui Antiochia nobis scripsere, dilectis fratribus in Domino salutem. Legi litteras a presbyteris meis Elpidio et Philoxeno mihi allatas, miratusque sum, cum nos ex dilectione et veritatis conscientia scripserimus, a vobis contentiose, nec ut decebat, rescriptum esse. Superbia enim et arrogantia scribentium per epistolam sese prodebat: haec autem a Christiana fide aliena sunt. Decebat enim, quae cum dilectione scripta erant, parem cum dilectione, et non cum contentione responsionem obtinere. An non caritatis indicum est, presbyteros misesse qui cum dolentibus condolerent, et eos qui scripserant adhortarentur ut venirent, quo quam primum omnia tandem componi ac recte constitui valerent, nec diutius fratres nostri vexarentur, nec vos quidam criminarentur? Sed nescio cur sic affici vobis placuerit, ut nos induxeritis ad suspicandum, quae vos verba nos honorandi causa dicere videbamini, haec ipsa cum quadam dissimulatione et irrisione dixisse. Presbyteri namque qui missi sunt, quos cum gaudio rediisse oportabat, contra moesti rediere ob ea quae illic geri conspexerant. Ego vero, postquam litteras legi, cum multa mecum reputassem, epistolam apud me retinui, sperans vestrum saltem aliquos esse venturos, nec epistola opus fore, ne, si illa manifesta fieret, multos hic contristaret. Quandoquidem autem, nullo adventiente, necesse fuit illam proferre, fateor vobis, omnes admiratione capti, vix induci potuerunt ut crederent res hujusmodi a vobis esse scriptas: contentionis enim magis, quam charitatis epistola specimen prae se ferebat. Quod si eloquentiae quaerenda est, sed canones apostolici, ac studendum ut ne unus quidem ex pusillis qui in Ecclesia sunt scandalizentur. Expedit enim, secundum ecclesiasticam sententiam, molam asinariam suspendi a collo, et ita in mare demergi potius, quam vel unum ex pusillis scandalizare. Quod si aliquibus mutua quadam simultate exacerbatis, non enim talem omnium mentem fuisse dixerim, istiusmodi epistolam scribi placuit, decebat quidam vel omnino non offendi, vel solem non occidere super offensa; hanc certe eo progredi non oportuit, ut scripto declararetur. Sanctus Julius Papa, Epistola ad Antiochenos

Julius to Danius, Flacillus, Narcissus, Eusebius, Maris, Macedonius, Theodorus and their associates who wrote to us from Antioch, dear brothers, greetings in the Lord. Having read the words that my presbyters Elpidius and Philoxenus brought to me I wondered that while we wrote from love and care for truth from you we received an unfitting contentious reply. The pride and arrogance of the writers was revealed by the letter, things which are alien to the Christian faith. For it befits that when things are written with love that with equal love and with no contention they obtain reply. Was it not a sign of love to have sent presbyters to comfort those suffering, and to exhort  those who had written to me to come here that, above all, that which is yet settled might rightly be resolved, so that our brothers might no longer be troubled, and that you might escape further accusation? I do not know why it was pleasing to you to act so, that you led us to the suspicion that the words you used to honour us which we read, were said with a certain dissimulation and ridicule. For the presbyters sent, whom with joy should have returned, came back troubled on account of that which they had seen among you. I truly, after I read your words, pondered much to myself and kept the letter to myself, hoping that some at least would come from you, not such a letter, that if it were to be made public would be a cause of sorrow to many. Yet when no one came from you it was necessary to reveal it, and I confess to you, all were struck with astonishment, and they were scarcely able to be led to believe that something like this had been written by you, for brought before them it was more a token of contention than of love. If eloquence must be sought let attention be given to the Apostolic canons, lest any of the little ones in the church should be scandalized. For it profits more, according to the understanding of the Church, that the millstone of asses be hung from the neck and one be thrown into the sea than one of the little ones be scandalised. 1 But if such a letter was written because it pleased some who took offence at something, for I do not impute such a state of mind to all, it befits rather not to be offended at all, or not to let the sun set on one's offence; 2 certainly it is of no benefit to declare it in writing. Pope Julius I, from the Letter to the Antiochians 1 Mt 17.6 2 Ephes 4.26