Apiarius

Apiarius

was a priest of Sicca, in the province of Mauritania, who, having been guilty of immoral conduct, was deposed and excommunicated by his bishop, Urban. He appealed from his judgment to the pope, although that step was forbidden by several African councils; and, although the Council of Nicaea had determined that the affairs of the clergy should. be settled in their own province, nevertheless, Zosimus, according to Baronius, received the appeal of Apiarius and readmitted him to communion. The African bishops refused to admit this pretension of the pope, with regard to the right of appeal to Rome. (See Councils Of Africa).