St. Cornelius was the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 251 to 253 AD, and a martyr who died during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Gallus. He was known for his role in resolving the controversy over readmitting Christians who had lapsed during persecution and for combating the schismatic Novatianist movement. His feast day is celebrated on September 16, alongside St. Cyprian of Carthage, a close ally who supported his moderate stance.
About St. Cornelius, Pope, Martyr :
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Image : 18th century depiction of St. Cornelius from the Church of Saint Joseph in Robertville (Thomas Hummel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Saint Cornelius was elected Pope in 251 during the persecutions of the Emperor Decius. His first challenge, besides the ever present threat of the Roman authorities, was to bring an end to the schism brought on by his rival, the first anti-pope Novatian. He convened a synod of bishops to confirm him as the rightful successor of Peter.
The great controversy that arose as a result of the Decian persecution was whether or not the Church could pardon and receive back into the Church those who had apostacized in the face of martyrdom.
Against both the bishops who argued that the Church could not welcome back apostates, and those who argued that they should be welcomed back but did not demand a heavy penance of the penitent, Cornelius decreed that they must be welcomed back and insisted that they perform an adequate penance.
In 253 Cornelius was exiled by the emperor Gallus and died of the hardships he endured in exile. He is venerated as a martyr.
About St. Cyprian, Bishop, Martyr :
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Image : Saint Cyprian Bishop of Carthage (The original uploader was Bwag at German Wikipedia., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
Saint Cyprian of Carthage is second in importance only to the great Saint Augustine as a figure and Father of the African church. He was a close friend of Pope Cornelius, and supported him both against the anti-pope Novatian and in his views concerning the re-admittance of apostates into the Church.
Saint Cyprian was born to wealthy pagans around the year 190, and was educated in the classics and in rhetoric. He converted at the age of 56, was ordained a priest a year later, and made bishop two years after that.
His writings are of great importance, especially his treatise on The Unity of the Catholic Church, in which he argues that unity is grounded in the authority of the bishop, and among the bishops, in the primacy of the See of Rome.
During the Decian persecutions Cyprian considered it wiser to go into hiding and guide his flock covertly rather than seek the glorious crown of martyrdom, a decision that his enemies attacked him for.
On September 14, 258, however, he was martyred during the persecutions of the emperor Valerian.
- Article by Catholic Time Staff
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