Amidst the persecutions by Emperor Decius in 251, Saint Cornelius was elected Pope. Aside from the constant threat posed by the Roman authorities, his first task was to put a stop to the division caused by his competitor, the first antipope Novatian. He called a council of bishops to establish his legitimacy as Peter's heir.

The main debate that sprang from the Decian persecution concerned whether or not the Church could forgive and accept back into its fold those who had deserted in the face of martyrdom.

Cornelius pronounced that apostates must be welcomed back and demanded that they carry out a sufficient penance, in opposition to the bishops who contended that the Church could not welcome them back and those who claimed that they should be welcomed back but did not demand a hefty penance of the repentant.

Emperor Gallus banished Cornelius in 253, and the hardships he suffered while in exile ultimately claimed his life.

Pope Cornelius had a close friendship with Saint Cyprian of Carthage, who backed him in his beliefs regarding the re-admittance of apostates into the Church as well as against the antipope Novatian.

Around 190, Saint Cyprian was born into a wealthy pagan family and had a classical and rhetorical education. At 56, he underwent a conversion, was consecrated a year later as a priest, and was appointed bishop two years later.

His writings are quite significant, particularly his thesis on The Unity of the Catholic Church, in which he contends that the primacy of the See of Rome and the authority of the bishop serve as the foundation for unity among the bishops.

Cyprian made the decision, which his opponents assailed him for, that it would be wiser to go into hiding and discreetly lead his flock throughout the Decian persecutions than to pursue the magnificent crown of martyrdom.

However, he was killed on September 14, 258, as a result of the emperor Valerian's persecutions.

Other Saints of the Day
Saint Abundius
Saint Eugenia
Saint Dulcissima
Saint Edith of Wilton
Saint Lucy & Geminian