Letter 18: Caldonius to Cyprian and his fellow presbyters in Carthage, greetings.

Caldonius to Cyprian and his fellow presbyters in Carthage, greetings. The urgency of the times makes us reluctant to grant peace hastily. But I thought it right to write to you about certain people who, after having sacrificed, were put on trial again and sent into exile. It seems to me that they have atoned for their earlier sin by now giving up their property and homes. They have repented and are following Christ. Take Felix, for example — he served as a presbyter under Decimus and was close to me during my own imprisonment. I knew him well. He, his wife Victoria, and Lucius — all faithful — have been banished. Their property has been seized by the imperial treasury. Then there is a woman named Bona, who was physically dragged to the altar by her husband. Her hands were held down while the sacrifice was made, but she had no willing part in it — she cried out against them: "I didn't do it! You did!" She too was banished. All of these people are now asking for peace, saying: "We have recovered the faith we lost. We have repented. We have publicly confessed Christ." It seems to me they ought to receive peace, but I have referred the matter to your judgment rather than presume to act rashly on my own. If you want me to take any action based on a common decision, write to me. Greet our brothers and sisters — ours send their greetings to you. Farewell, beloved brothers.

Epistle 18