Validity of Baptism and Ordination in the African Response to the “Rebaptism” Crisis: Cyprian of Carthage's Synod of Spring 256

Abstract

While Cyprian's Epistula 72, sent to Stephen of Rome after the spring 256 synod of African bishops, is well known for its part in what is known as the rebaptism controversy, it is less well known for what it says about the question of clerics who wished to leave a breakaway Christian sect and rejoin (or join) the mainstream ecclesial community. After considering the question of how frequently Cyprian wrote to Rome after African synods, this article explores Cyprian's understanding of the character of ordination. His concerns are relevant to the question of the validity of Anglican orders and the status of clergy recently ordained by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.