St. Cyprian: The Lapsed and The Unity of the Catholic Church
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
These two pastoral addresses of the intensely devout bishop Cyprian reveal the aftermath of the persecution by the Emperor Decius. This is an important document that helps readers understand how the church dealt with persecution, those who failed to resist persecution, and forgiveness.
Top Highlights
“You cannot have God for your Father if you have not the Church for your mother.” (Pages 48–49)
“The fallen has not the excuse that he was forced to the crime when the crime was his own choice. I am not saying this to add to the load of my brethren’s guilt: rather is it to spur them on to the prayer of reparation.52 For since it is written: They that call you blessed are leading you into error and confusing the path of your feet,53 he who soothes the sinner with comforting flatteries only encourages the sinful appetite; he is not checking crime but fostering it.” (Page 24)
“Let each one, I entreat you, brethren, confess his sin while he who has sinned is still in this world, while his confession146 can still be heard, while satisfaction and forgiveness granted through the priests147 are pleasing to God.” (Page 36)
“There had been no active persecution since the reign of Septimius Severus (193–211).” (Page 3)
“if he looks to an eternity from God, he reckons not the time of earth” (Page 14)