Councils of Carthage facts for kids

The Councils of Carthage were important meetings of church leaders held a long time ago, in the 200s, 300s, and 400s. They took place in the city of Carthage, which was in North Africa. These meetings were like big conferences where bishops and other church officials discussed important rules and beliefs for Christians.

Synod of 251: Helping Christians Who Wavered

In May 251, a big meeting happened in Carthage. It was led by a church leader named Cyprian. The main topic was about Christians called the Lapsi. These were people who had given up their Christian faith during tough times, like when they were being persecuted.

The council decided that these Christians should not all be treated the same way. Instead, their punishment should depend on how serious their actions were. This decision was later agreed upon by another meeting in Rome. More meetings about the Lapsi happened in Carthage in 252 and 254.

Synod of 256: Debating Baptism

Two meetings in 255 and 256, also led by Cyprian, discussed a different issue. They said that baptisms performed by groups considered "heretics" (people with different beliefs) were not valid. This disagreed with Stephen I, the bishop of Rome, who quickly rejected their decision.

A third meeting in September 256 confirmed what the first two had said. Stephen's idea that he was the "bishop of bishops" was not liked by the African church leaders. This caused some tension between the churches in Rome and Africa for a while.

Later, at the first big church council, some of these issues were finally settled.

Synod of 345: Rules for Clergy

Around 345 to 348, another meeting took place. It was led by a leader named Gratus. This meeting was for orthodox bishops (those who followed the main church beliefs). They were thankful that a group called the (Donatists) were being stopped.

At this meeting, they decided that anyone baptized in the name of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) should not be baptized again. They also made twelve rules for church leaders, called canons.

Synod of 397: Deciding the Bible's Books

The Council of Carthage in 397 was very important. It happened on August 28. This council confirmed rules made at an earlier meeting in Hippo in 393. It also created its own rules.

One of the most important things this council did was to list the books that should be part of the Bible. This list helped decide which books were considered official holy scriptures for Christians.

The main information about this council comes from a collection of church laws called the Codex Canonum Ecclesiae Africanae. This book gathers rules from many church councils in Carthage during the 300s and 400s.

Here is a part of the list of books they decided were part of the Bible:

16 It was also determined that besides the Canonical Scriptures nothing be read in the Church under the title of divine Scriptures. The Canonical Scriptures are these: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, four books of Kings, two books of Paraleipomena, Job, the Psalter, five books of Solomon, the books of the twelve prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezechiel, Daniel, Tobit, Judith, Esther, two books of Esdras, two Books of the Maccabees. 17 Of the New Testament: four books of the Gospels, one book of the Acts of the Apostles, thirteen Epistles of the Apostle Paul, one epistle of the same [writer] to the Hebrews, two Epistles of the Apostle Peter, three of John, one of James, one of Jude, one book of the Apocalypse of John.

The "five books of Solomon" mentioned in the list were believed to be Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom of Solomon, and Ecclesiasticus.

Conference of 411: Ending a Church Split

St. Augustine discussing with Donatists.

The Conference of Carthage in 411 was called by the Emperor Honorius. Its goal was to end a big split in the church called the Donatist schism. Even though it wasn't strictly a "synod," it was a very important meeting for the African churches and the whole Catholic Church.

A leader named Marcellinus of Carthage was in charge. He decided in favor of the main church group, which led to the Donatists being strongly opposed.

Council of 418: Discussing Human Nature and Sin

After another meeting called the Synod of Diospolis, a smaller council took place on May 1, 418. It was led by Aurelius, bishop of Carthage. The meeting focused on the ideas of Caelestius, a follower of Pelagius.

This council spoke out against the Pelagian ideas about human nature, original sin (the idea that humans are born with a tendency to sin), and grace. They fully supported the opposing views of Augustine, another important church leader.

The council issued eight important rules, or canons:

• Canon I: Adam (from the Bible) was not created to die.
• Canon II: Babies should be baptized to forgive sins.
• Canon III: God's grace not only forgives sins but also helps us stop sinning.
• Canon IV: God's grace helps us know, be inspired, and want to do what is right.
• Canon V: We cannot do good things without God's grace.
• Canon VI: The saying "If we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves" is true, not just humble.
• Canon VII: In the Lord's Prayer, saints pray "Forgive us our trespasses" for themselves, not just for others.
• Canon VIII: Saints pray "Forgive us our trespasses" because they have sinned, not just out of humility.

Council of 419: The African Church Code

The rules made at this council are often called "The Code of Canons of the African Church." It was led by Aurelius, bishop of Carthage, and 217 bishops attended. They had two sessions, on May 25 and 30.

In 418-419, all the rules from sixteen previous councils in Carthage, one in Milevis, and one in Hippo were reviewed. If they were approved, they became part of this new collection. This collection became very important for churches in Africa and even in other places like England.

Here is a list of some of the councils whose rules were included:

• Carthage (under Gratus)— 345-348 A.D.
• Hippo — 393
• Carthage— 394
• Carthage (June 26)— 397
• Carthage (August 28)— 397
• Carthage (April 27)— 399
• Carthage (June 15)— 401
• Carthage (September 13)— 401
• Milevis (August 27)— 402
• Carthage (August 25)— 403
• Carthage (June)— 404
• Carthage (August 25)— 405
• Carthage (June 13)— 407
• Carthage (June 16 and October 13)— 408
• Carthage (June 15)— 409
• Carthage (June 14)— 410
• Carthage (May 1)— 418
• Carthage (May 25) which adopted the African Code — 419

In total, 138 rules were issued at this council.

There was also a long discussion about a priest named Apiarius. He had been removed from his position but appealed to Pope Zosimus in Rome. The African bishops were not happy about this. They decided that church leaders below bishops should not appeal "beyond the seas" (to Rome). This led to a disagreement between the African churches and the Pope.

The issue came up again a few years later when Apiarius was removed a second time and again appealed to Rome. However, Apiarius eventually admitted he was guilty. The African bishops then asked the Pope not to easily believe complaints from Africa and not to send his representatives to enforce judgments there.

Synod of 484: A Forced Meeting

The Vandal Synod of Carthage (484) was a church meeting called by the Vandal King Huneric. The Vandals followed a different Christian belief called Arian Christianity. King Huneric wanted the Nicene bishops (who followed the main Christian beliefs) in his new North African lands to switch to Arianism.

The Nicene bishops refused. Because of this, many, like Fulgentius of Ruspe, were sent away to Sardinia. Some were even executed. Records show that almost 500 bishops were sent into exile. The bishops had asked for Nicene bishops from outside Huneric's kingdom to attend, but the king said no. This meeting seemed more like a way for the king to force his will than a real debate.

Council of 525: Rebuilding Church Power

The 525 Council of Carthage was called by Bishop Boniface of Carthage. Its purpose was to regain power for the Nicene bishops in North Africa. This was after the region had been ruled by Arian Vandal bishops. The council took place from February 5 to 6 in 525 CE.

See also

In Spanish: Concilios de Cartago para niños

• Synod of Hippo
• Ancient church councils (pre-ecumenical)
• Archdiocese of Carthage