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

Canon XXIII.&#160; (Greek xxvi.)

That bishops shall not go across seas.

, That bishops shall not go beyond seas without consulting the bishop of the primatial see of his own province:&#160; so that from him they may be able to receive a formed or commendatory letter.

Notes.

A bishop is not to cross the seas unless he has received from the Primate of his region a letter dimissory.

This is Canon xxvij. of Hippo, 393.

See note on Canons of the Apostles, 10 (13). [viz.:]

[The use of Letters Commendatory was very early in the Church; St. Paul mentions them II. Cor. iij. 1.&#160; And it is not easy to be conceived how discipline can be restored but by the reviving of this practice.&#160; It is surely irregular to admit all chance comers to the Communion, who, for aught we know, may stand excommunicated by their own bishop.&#160; Of the difference between Commendatory and Pacific and Formal Letters, see Can. Chalc., 11; Apost., 25, 26; Ant., 6; Sardic., 13].