It is long since we have abandoned, whether through forgetfulness or through business, a thing exceedingly necessary and instituted by the Fathers not without divine inspiration. But the bonds of necessity must sometimes be broken, that at last the precept may be fulfilled by us. The assemblies, then, which the care of our elders had decreed should be held twice a year by the bishops—if you weigh it well—would that we held them even once every two years! For biting writings from the venerable pope of the City, reproaching us for this negligence, have sometimes been brought to me. Wherefore the church of Vienne, if you consent, entreats through me, and the reviving wholesomeness of an interrupted custom demands, that what has hitherto lain torpid and unfrequented be roused up.
It is just, as I think, that—the earlier decrees having been treated under the opportunity of a common presence—we should, both for ourselves and among ourselves, as the order of discussion shall find fitting, either recall the old matters, or, if need be, join our own to them. Therefore we ask all together, brethren, that by God's favor you deign to be present on the eighth day before the Ides of September in the parish of Epaon: which place, the fatigue of all having been weighed, has been chosen as sufficiently convenient for the assembly; as also the season, being as far as possible free from the pressure of rural labor, permits a freer journeying for all: although the weightier cause of the Church would demand that any earthly business whatever be set aside.
We therefore beseech and beg, we testify, we adjure, that no obstacle of any excuse draw anyone away from so holy an arrangement, that no bond of temporary necessity hinder anyone from such a chain of charity. But if perhaps—which God forbid—so great a bitterness of bodily infirmity should assail anyone that his spiritual desire be overcome by the discomfort of the flesh, let him take care to present to the brethren in his stead two presbyters of great and approved life, confirmed with the instruction of his commission.
But let him deign to choose such men as knowledge no less than reverence may rightly cause to take part in a council of bishops, with whom the highest pontiffs may be pleased to confer discourse, and who, when there shall be the discernment to be chosen, may have the authority to be protected for ratifying and subscribing the decisions on behalf of their bishop. But let nothing extort this save the utmost necessity. For the rest, the greatness of fraternal love and pastoral diligence is not proved except by greatness of labor. For your Holiness will conjecture, after this long silence of our neglect, in what manner either those things ought to be defined which, by God's granting, are to be treated, or how those things which shall have been defined ought to be followed by all the ministers of the churches of our province.