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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. St. Ambrose ( )
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

16. 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 and

17. 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)

18. Assignments Polycarp, Letter to Philippians Cyprian, “Letter 1 and 65”
Ambrose, On Duties of Clergy ;
Augustine, Sermons 355, 356, 46