Praeceptio Altera Missa Ad Synodum

Fl. Theodericus, king, to all the bishops summoned to the synod. To the peace of the Roman Church, with Bishop Symmachus assailed by criminal accusations, amid that confusion of the crowd which you behold, how could our providence better consult than, according to the petition of the Senate and the clergy, to summon bishops from diverse provinces to review the case and to make a holy council judge concerning the religious sanction of the person? The letters long since dispatched to the whole synod are before your eyes, and the declarations of our conscience bear witness, by which, with the sole affection of integrity, we entrusted this right to the summoned pontiffs, that under the equity of the synodal sentence, either convicted of the charges, he would be subject to guilt. After such decrees, who would doubt that an end should be given to so great a matter? Who would believe that from so numerous a council of priests more confusion would arise? What profit was it to have imposed upon us, without force, the other business from so long a journey? What profit was it that the affairs of so many churches were suspended in the absence of their priests? What will remain if it is not permitted to command the assembly concerning such an outcome? But let the past suffice, which it is enough to recall to memory only to the point that they cease. The recollection of past events is good, if the care of correction amends what displeases.

Not even with some departing and the matter postponed, with repeated judgments coming to a second gathering, for faith, for innocence, for equity, may a united integrity dissent, with any partisan interests set aside. By our petition this is conferred upon the city of Rome, that with priestly consideration you set a term to the delegated matter, without contention, knowing that your examination is secure in its judgment. Consider that discord is the mother of confusion, and just as doubtful things are solidified by consensus, so also are firm things dissolved by dissension. Is it not laborious, is it not grievous to your consciences, is it not hostile to the proposal, that the Church seeks peace from its bishops, and from those to whom, by reason of your profession, a more diligent care ought to be given, does it expect a tumultuous faith? Your intention is the preservation of justice in the inquiry; let the freedom of your will be whole, with all occasions removed; examine the judgment of the case of the alleged crimes, provided that partisan struggles are defended by love, and every ambiguity of confusion is cut away.

especially since this authority is granted to you by our pronouncements, out of reverence for religion and consideration of our justice, so that, just as you have the will and the care for truth to be sought in this matter, with all those persons present through whom the truth of the matters under inquiry can be established, you may know—and God may know—what you ought to judge in that very case, about to restore peace by all means to the clergy, the senate, and the Roman people after the judgment, so that no disturbance, no discord may remain in the city. But if you wish that what has been proposed should pass without a judgment under discussion, you may know—and God may know—how you arrange it, provided that peace is restored to the clergy, the senate, and the Roman people under your arrangement. Behold, before God and men, entrusting everything to your decision, we absolve our conscience, as was fitting. It is only necessary that the matter be concluded under a just arrangement, and that unity be restored to those departing. For it is not tolerable that, because of this negligence, the love of the royal city by which we are held should be diminished, or that, with all things pacified by God’s authority, only tranquility should be erected and confusion arise in the midst of the city, so that civility is desired in the more spacious regions, which is under the proximity of the enemy.

And lest we seem to have omitted anything, when you have deemed the presence of Bishop Symmachus necessary for the inquiry, Gudila and Bedeulphus, sublime men, the majores domus nostrae, whom we have sent at present with Conzatriernus so that our order may have no uncertainty, will provide oaths, about to satisfy the designated bishop, just as your arrangement shall have judged: it will suffice that, summoned to the council, he may come without fear of trouble, safe beyond the City. Pray for me, holy lords and venerable fathers. Given on the sixth day before the Kalends of September, at Ravenna, in the happy reign of the aforesaid; Rufinus Avienus Faustus, vir clarissimus, consuls.