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 Cyprian
is important in the development of Christian thought and practice in the
third century, especially in northern Africa.
Highly educated, a famous orator, he was converted to Christianity as an
adult. He distributed his goods to the poor, and amazed his fellow citizens
by making a vow of chastity before his Baptism. Within two years he had been
ordained a priest and was chosen, against his will, as Bishop of Carthage
(near modern Tunis).
Cyprian complained that the peace the Church had enjoyed had weakened the
spirit of many Christians and had opened the door to converts who did not
have the true spirit of faith. When the Decian persecution began, many
Christians easily abandoned the Church. It was their reinstatement that
caused the great controversies of the third century, and helped the Church
progress in its understanding of the Sacrament of Penance. Novatus, a priest
who had opposed Cyprian's election, set himself up in Cyprian's absence (he
had fled to a hiding place from which to direct the Churchbringing
criticism on himself) and received back all apostates without imposing any
canonical penance. Ultimately he was condemned. Cyprian held a middle
course, holding that those who had actually sacrificed to idols could
receive Communion only at death, whereas those who had only bought
certificates saying they had sacrificed could be admitted after a more or
less lengthy period of penance. Even this was relaxed during a new
persecution.
During a plague in Carthage, he urged Christians to help everyone, including
their enemies and persecutors.
A friend of Pope Cornelius, Cyprian opposed the following pope, Stephen. He
and the other African bishops would not recognize the validity of Baptism
conferred by heretics and schismatics. This was not the universal view of
the Church, but Cyprian was not intimidated even by Stephen's threat of
excommunication.
He was exiled by the emperor and then recalled for trial. He refused to
leave the city, insisting that his people should have the witness of his
martyrdom.
Cyprian was a mixture of kindness and courage, vigor and steadiness. He was
cheerful and serious, so that people did not know whether to love or respect
him more. He waxed warm during the baptismal controversy; his feelings must
have concerned him, for it was at this time that he wrote his treatise on
patience. St. Augustine remarks that Cyprian atoned for his anger by his
glorious martyrdom.
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