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

“judgement of the priests, should be regarded as if God himself were in the judge’s
seat.” 85 With admirable subtlety, Constantine had shown that merely by petitioning
him with appeals, that itself indicated the wickedness of the Donatists: “those
slanderers of religion , who refusing the judgement of heaven [presumably the Lateran
and Arles decisions] have thought fit to demand my judgement? Is that what they
think of Christ our Saviour?” 86 The Catholic clerics could not have wished for a
greater enhancement of their status. Constantine had abdicated responsibility for
decision-making in one sphere of life and, thereby, in voluntarily casting aside one
facet of his power and authority, had enhanced his piety and prestige even further.
In his closing sentences, Constantine stated that although the Donatists were
“openly convicted of these things, you who follow the way of the Lord must none the
less exercise patience, giving them even now the choice of what they think should be
preferred. 87 Doubtless this request was made in order to remind the Catholics of the
necessity of keeping the peace. At the same time, Constantine informed them of his
orders to the African Vicar to send “men of a like insanity to my court immediately,” 88
as such, Constantine was evidently informing the clerics that he maintained an interest
in the matter and that any ‘breaches of the peace’ would be reserved to himself.
Constantine was hinting that whilst the clerics’ word on matters of religion was final,
Constantine, as the secular arm would enforce the verdict of the Church.
Early in the next year, in February 315 the proconsul Aelian finally published
his verdict on Felix of Abthungi and declared him to be innocent of being a traditor
84 Opt. App. 5 Ziwsa 210; Edwards 191 qui in ipso deo inm an es prosilierunt
85 Opt. App. 5 Ziwsa 209; Edwards 190; dico enim , ut se v eritas habet, sacerdotum iudicium ita debet
haberi, ac si ipse dom inus residen s iudicet
86 Opt. App. 5 Ziwsa 209; Edwards 191; quid hi detractatores legis, quirenv entes caeleste iudicium m eum
putav erunt postulandum ?
87 Opt. App. 5 Ziwsa 210; Edwards 191; licet haec in ipsis v ideantur deprehensa, nihilom inus v oss, qui
dom ini saluatoris sequim ini v iam , patientiam adhibete data his adhuc option e, quid putent deligendum
88 Opt. App. 5 Ziwsa 210; Edwards 191; quotquot huius insaniae sim iles inv enerit, statim eos ad com itatum
m eum dirigat
73