IGINO, POPE, St. —
He is commemorated in the Roman Martyrology on January 11 as a martyr, but no ancient source knows or recalls his martyrdom. Moreover, the exact time of his pontificate is uncertain. In the most reliable episcopal lists he is said to be the successor of Pope Telesphorus: he would therefore have been elected in 138. Even the duration of his pontificate is variously and poorly attested by the sources; however, the notice reported by Eusebius, who attributes to him 4 years of rule, seems more reliable: he would therefore have died in 142.
Very few and no less uncertain are the notices about his life. According to the Liber Pontificalis he was of Ate-
IGINUS – IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH
nian origin and was called to the pontifical throne from the rank of a simple priest.
The sin of sloth, inasmuch as it is opposed to the general law of work, is ordinarily not grave; it becomes so, however, when it is habitual and when it causes the omission or neglect of particular grave obligations. Sloth is one of the most serious obstacles to perfection, both because it renders life more or less sterile, like the field of the lazy man of which Holy Scripture speaks (cf. Prov. 24:30-34), and, above all, because it allows temptations to become more vigorous and insistent. It is well known indeed that when the higher faculties are inactive, the lower ones are freer to follow their instincts, and then “idleness teaches much malice” (Ecclus. 23:29). It is therefore understood how sloth can create a grave danger even to eternal salvation. The heedless indeed deserves the severe condemnation of the servant who did not trade his talents (Mt. 25:24-30), and of the tree that bears no fruit (Mt. 3:10).
Remedies against sloth are: deep convictions about the necessity and the inner satisfaction of beloved work; the awareness of the grave consequences that derive from sloth, and the continued and methodical effort that gives the slothful the satisfaction of a life usefully employed.