77. Ep. 176.2–4 (CSEL 44:664–67); my trans., based on Parsons, FOTC 30:91–93. (continued)
Against the Pelagians 413
(6) Therefore, concerning Pelagius and Caelestius, that is, the inventors of these new ideas, which, as the Apostle says, are of no profit, but tend to generate utterly vain questions, we decree, relying on the strength of apostolic authority, that they are deprived of communion with the Church until "they recover themselves from the snares of the devil, by whom they are held captives at his will" (2 Tm 2:26), that they are not to be received within the Lord's flock, which they have chosen to forsake by following the path of a crooked way.78
Causa Finita Est
We have seen certain of Augustine's famous one-liners (e.g., "Love, and do what you will") taken out of context. Here is another. To Augustine has long been attributed the statement: "Rome has spoken; the matter is settled" (Roma locuta est; causa finita est). Defenders of universal papal jurisdiction over the centuries have cited this phrase as though it were really Augustine's and as though Augustine accepted the pope's word as the last word. It turns out that the first phrase is not his; the second is his, but needs to be seen in context. Augustine was an African bishop deeply committed to African traditions of conciliar decision-making. He deeply respected the prestige of the bishop of Rome, but hardly thought papal decisions were the last word. The famous phrase occurs in a sermon, delivered in Carthage on September 23, 417. Augustine alludes to the condemnations of the African councils of Carthage and Milevis. It is in this light that he says, "The case is closed" (causa finita est). The case, it turns out, had not only been reopened but reversed by Pope Zosimus, and the North Africans would have to work around the pope and win over imperial authorities. Augustine's famous text appears in the closing words of a lengthy sermon on John's Gospel. From Sermon 131:
(10) "For being ignorant of the justice of God, and wishing to establish their own, they have not submitted themselves to the justice of God" (Rom 10:3). My brothers and sisters, come and share in my sorrow. Wherever you find such people, do not hide them. Let there be no misplaced mercy in you. Wherever you find such people, you don't want to hide them. Argue against the naysayers. Bring those resistant to us. For two councils on this case have already been sent to the Apostolic See. And rescripts have come back to us. The case is closed! Would that the error come to a close as well! Therefore, we advise that they pay attention; we teach that they be instructed; we pray that they be changed.79
78. Ep. 182.3–6 (CSEL 44:717–21); trans. Parsons, FOTC 30:129–31. 79. S. 131.10 (PL 38:734); my trans. See Cornelius Mayer, "Causa finita est," Aug-Lex, 1:827. For a new critical edition, see G. Partoens, "Le sermon 131 de saint Augustin: Introduction et édition," Augustiniana 54 (2004): 35–77.