LAPSED

Those persons were so called, who in time of persecution denied the faith of Christ ; but again, on persecution ceasing, sought reconciliation and Church communion. The discipline with which such persons were visited included a long absence from the holy eucharist, which however was not denied them in case of extreme illne . And the maternal solicitude of the Church for her sons was so great, that when dangerous sickne was prevalent, or when another persecution seemed to impend, it somewhat relaxed the rule. This is especially shown in the conduct and writings of St. Cyprian; in whose times the case of the lapsed was brought before the Church, by circumstances, more fully, and was also more clearly determined, than it had been before. One of his most celebrated tracts refers especially to their case. Different circumstances gave to different individuals of the lapsed the names of Sacrificati , Thurificati , and Libellatici . (See these words.) The Traditores were not held wholly free from the crime of the lapsed. (See Traditors .) Those who absolutely and for ever fell away were cla ed by the Church as heathens, and had of course no ecclesiastical position, however low.