To Pammachius against John of Jerusalem 43
43 PL 23, 394
43. Are we schismatics? Is not he the schismatic who refuses a habitation to the living, a grave to the dead, and demands the exile of his brethren? Who was it that set at our throats, with special fury, that wild beast who constantly menaced the throats of the whole world? Who is it that permits the rain to beat upon the bones of the saints, and their harmless ashes, up to the present hour? These are the endearments with which the good shepherd invites us to reconciliation, and at the same time accuses us of setting up an authority of our own—us who are united in communion and charity with all the bishops, so long, at least, as they are orthodox. Do you yourself constitute the Church, and is whosoever offends you shut out from Christ? If we defend our own authority—prove that we have a bishop in your diocese. The reason that we have not had communion with you is the question of faith; answer our questions, and it will become one of order.
Nosne sumus, qui Ecclesiam scindimus: an ille qui vivis habitaculum, mortuis sepulcrum negat, qui fratrum exsilia postulat? Quis potentissimam illam feram, totius orbis cervicibus imminentem, contra nostras cervices specialiter incitavit? Quis ossa Sanctorum, et innoxios cineres hucusque verberari ab imbribus sinit? His nos blandimentis bonus Pastor invitat ad pacem, 453 et proprium arguit facere principatum: qui omnibus episcopis, rectam dumtaxat fidem tenentibus, et communione et charitate sociamur. An tu solus Ecclesia es, et qui te offenderit, a Christo excluditur? Si proprium defendimus principatum, ostende nos in paroecia tua habere episcopum. Quod tibi non communicavimus, fidei est: responde, et ordinationis erit.