Ante-Nicene Fathers/Volume VIII/The Decretals/The Epistles of Pope Callistus/To All the Bishops of Gaul/Chapter 2

II.

(Of those who have intercourse with excommunicated persons, or with unbelievers.)

Those, too, who are excommunicated by the priests, let no one receive previous to the just examination of both sides; nor let him have any intercourse with such in speech, or in eating or drinking, or in the salutation with the kiss, nor let him greet such; because, whosoever wittingly holds intercourse with the excommunicated in these or other prohibited matters, will subject himself, according to the ordinance of the apostles, to like excommunication.&#160; From these, therefore, let clergy and laity keep themselves if they would not have the same penalty to endure.&#160; Also do not join the unbelievers, neither have any fellowship with them.&#160; They who do such things, indeed, are judged not as believers, but as unbelievers.&#160; Whence the apostle says:&#160; &#8220;What part hath he that believeth with an infidel? or what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?&#8221;