Religious Intolerance in the Later Roman Empire - Bad request ...

tumult again may arise, since not trifling is the image of schism.” 71 Valentinian
ordered the church to be given to Damasus and the reason for this is, Valentinian
explains: “that all may know with what zeal unity must be cultivated, with what peace
all must live, since the congregation, everywhere permitted to assemble, when the
churches have been restored, demands the fullest harmony.” 72
Valentinian's lack of animosity against Ursinus is also evidenced by his third
letter in which he recalled Ursinus and his supporters from exile. Again the letter is
undated, but as it is also addressed to Praetextatus as Urban Prefect it must have been
written not long before the end of Praetextatus’ term as Urban Prefect which would
have been in the autumn of 368. 73 Therefore Ursinus’ exile only lasted a few months.
Valentinian's motivation in recalling the Ursinians was, perversely, the same as that
which had caused him to deprive them of their last church in Rome. Valentinian
appears to have thought that the exiles’ return to Rome would enhance unity and
harmony in the Church: “where harmony ought to be greatest, namely in either the
seat or the state of the Church, each of which situations demands both moderation and
reverence [on Valentinian's part]” 74 That would appear to be an exceptionally
magnanimous action since, and the letter goes on to imply this, the Ursinians had not
admitted to any wrongdoing, during or after, the disputed election. Nor did
Valentinian admit, tacitly or otherwise, that exile had been wrong or inappropriate, on
the contrary: “the punishment seems to have been just, which has settled by
chastisement the faction riotously undertaken there.” 75 Valentinian evidently hoped
that the punishment had served its purpose and now, hopefully, the Christians in
Rome could regain cordial relations with each other.
71
iterum tum ultus oriatur, quandoquidem non parv a sit separationis effigies.
72
Ut singuli univ ersique cognoscan t, quo unitas studio sit coleda, qua om nibus pace v iv endum , cum ecclesiis
restitutis plenissim am postulet congregatio ubique perm issa concordiam
73
CSEL 35.5; The last law addressed to Praetextatus is CTh. 1.6.6 of 20 September 368
74
ubi m axim a debet esse con cordia, scilicet in ecclesiae v el sede v el causa, quarum rerum utraque et m odestiam
poscit et cultum
75
licet iusta v ideatur fuisse v indicta, quae illic turbulenter exercitam factionem cohercition e sedav it
112