Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XIV/Additional Canons 3/The Canons of Carthage/Canons/Canon VIII

Canon VIII.

Of those who make accusation against an elder; and that no criminal is to be suffered to bring a charge against a bishop.

, the bishop of Maxula, said:&#160; Moreover, there are very many, not of good life, who think that their elders or bishops should be the butt for accusation; ought such to be easily admitted or no?&#160; Aurelius the bishop said:&#160; Is it the pleasure of your charity that he who is ensnared by divers wickednesses should have no voice of accusation against these?

All the bishops said:&#160; If he is criminous, his accusation is not to be received.

Notes.

It has seemed good that they who are themselves defendants for crimes should not bring accusations; nor should they be allowed to lay crimes to anyone&#8217;s charge.

This is Canon vi. of Genethlius&#8217;s Synod at Carthage, 387 or 390.

See Canons 132 and 133 and Constantinople Canon 6.

[The &#8220;elders&#8221; mentioned in this canon are] probably the same with senes in other canons, viz., Metropolitans, as is generally believed.&#160; The Latin here calls them Majores natu, the Greek &#960;&#945;&#964;&#8051;&#961;&#945;&#962;.&#160; Bishop Beveridge supposes that the word denotes bishop, though perhaps Majores natu may signify presbyters.&#160; Justellus on the canon produces some seeming authorities for this.