Deut. 32:7
(that is to say, the successors of our first fathers: of Bishop Ailbe, of Ciaran of Clonmacnois, of Brendan, of Nessan, and of Lugid) to tell me what they thought about our excommunication by the aforementioned Apostolic Sees. Having gathered in Mag Lene, some in person others through representatives sent in their place, they enacted and said: Our predecessors enjoined, through capable witnesses (some living, some resting in peace), that we should adopt humblyActs 23:3; Matt. 23:27; Marc. 7:3-4
who did not unite with either part but divided them and partly made void what was promised. I hope the Lord shall strike [him] downActs 23:3
in whatever way he wills. Then it seemed proper to our elders, according to the command, that if disagreement arises between one side and another, and judgement vary between leper and non-leper, they should go to the place which the Lord has chosen;Deut. 17:8
and that if the matters are major, [according to the sinodical decree,] they should be referred to the chief of cities.Coll. canon. Hibernensis 20, De prouincia (Wasserschleben, p. 61 n. e)
Hence we sent those whom we knew to be wise and humble as children to their mother, and having had a prosperous journey through the will of God,Rom. 1:10
some of them arrived at Rome, and returned to us in the third year. And they saw all things just as they had heard about them, but they found them more certain inasmuch as they were seen rather than heard. And they