Writings of the Popes of the Early Church

Leo congratulates the Egyptian bishops on the election of the Catholic Timothy in place of Aelurus; commends unity around the new bishop; and invites them to join their pastoral care to his in bringing back those who have wandered.

Leo urges the Alexandrian clergy to preserve concord around their new bishop, noting that the beast that devastated the Lord’s vineyard has been driven away; and directs them to bring back those who were led astray by the heretics through patience, gentleness, and the remedy of penance.

Leo congratulates Timothy on his election as the new Catholic Bishop of Alexandria, rejoicing that the whole Church of the Lord rejoices with him; he urges Timothy to reconcile those who have resisted the truth through gentleness rather than force, imitating the good shepherd; and he directs him to remain vigilant against Nestorian and Eutychian error, and to write frequently to Leo so that mutual communication may confirm their shared charity.

Leo complains that Timothy Aelurus has been permitted to come to Constantinople despite his expulsion from Alexandria; he instructs Gennadius that no hope of restoration is to be left him; and directs that Aelurus not be permitted to mix in any public or private conversation with anyone, lest an assembly form under the pretext of correcting his faith.

Leo rejoices over the expulsion of Timothy Aelurus from Alexandria and the restoration of Catholic order; he insists that a worthy Catholic bishop be chosen in his place; and he rules that Aelurus cannot be restored even if his faith should seem sound, on account of his crimes against an innocent bishop — since in a pontiff of God, moral integrity is as necessary as orthodox doctrine.

Baptismal regeneration is not to be given at any time other than Easter and Pentecost except in cases of urgent and dangerous illness; and the confession of the faithful is not to be made public — private confession to a priest being entirely sufficient.