Saint Morgan of Wales, or Pelagius Britto, is a historical figure whose life and teachings are often surrounded by controversy and misconceptions. Born around 360 A.D. in South Wales, he was a significant figure in early Christian history. This article will delve into his life, teachings, and the theological controversies he faced, comparing and contrasting his beliefs with those of Saint Augustine of Hippo and John Calvin. Additionally, we will explore how his teachings resonate with the Celtic Christian tradition.
Early Life and Education
Saint Morgan's early life and education were grounded in the rich tapestry of Celtic Christian traditions. Born in South Wales, his Latin name, Pelagius Britto, suggests his association with both the sea and his Celtic British heritage. He came from a Romanized Celtic Christian background, being the son of a decurion.
Morgan received a Latin education that included instruction in Holy Scriptures. His upbringing reflected the Celtic Christian tradition's emphasis on faith, good works, and a deep sense of the oneness of all. These foundational principles shaped his worldview and contributed to his later theological developments.
In 380, Morgan embarked on a journey to Rome to study law. However, he soon abandoned his legal career aspirations and chose the path of monasticism, becoming a monk. This decision marked the beginning of his remarkable journey as a Christian writer and theologian.
Walking in the Footsteps of the Apostles
Saint Morgan was not a mere theologian; he was a dedicated Christian who lived out his faith through his actions. His physical appearance, described as strong and stout, was a reflection of his robust faith and dedication to his Christian beliefs. His practice of walking bareheaded and moving at a deliberate pace suggested a man who valued simplicity and humility.
Morgan's distinctive approach to sharing his faith was by engaging with people in public spaces, from street corners to public squares. He engaged in conversations with people from all walks of life, passionately discussing theology, ethics, and doctrine. He was a proponent of educating women in Holy Scriptures, reflecting a belief in the equal spiritual potential of all individuals.
He openly challenged the prevailing attitudes of wealth and power in Rome, emphasizing the Christian virtues of mercy and charity. Morgan's charismatic personality, moral fervor, and deep knowledge of Holy Scriptures made him a spiritual advisor to many, and he moved within Roman Christian circles with ease.
Conflict with the Roman Church
Morgan's challenges did not go unnoticed. He confronted significant opposition, especially from prominent leaders in the Roman Church. The causes of this opposition were rooted in his moral theology and his criticism of the laxity in Christian discipline among religious and secular leaders in Rome.
Morgan faced opposition from two influential figures in the Latin Church: Augustine of Hippo and Jerome of Dalmatia. Augustine, a prominent Latin Church theologian, had previously praised Morgan but later openly attacked him in two sermons in 413. Augustine's theology, particularly his doctrines of original sin and predestination, was sharply criticized by Morgan as un-Scriptural and influenced by his previous affiliation with Manichaeism.
Jerome, a renowned linguist and translator of the Latin Vulgate Bible, engaged in personal conflicts with other Christians, including Morgan. Morgan's views on the importance of theological study and his disagreements with Jerome led to accusations of heresy.
The Roman Emperor Honorius, influenced by the Augustinian faction, issued an Imperial Rescript in 418 that ordered action against Morgan on the charge of disturbing the peace of Rome. Subsequently, Pope Zosimus I reversed his earlier support for Morgan and condemned him as a heretic, despite his earlier favorable opinions.
In the midst of this turmoil, two different Popes were consecrated, reflecting the ecclesiastical and political divisions of the time. Pope Zosimus I was succeeded by Pope Boniface I, who was more aligned with the Augustinian faction. The struggles between these factions highlighted the larger conflict over the primacy of Rome and the dominance of Latin theology in the universal Church.
Councils and Synods
Theological debates and controversies surrounding Morgan extended beyond Rome. After Rome fell to Alaric in 410, Morgan and his follower Celestius left for North Africa, where Morgan eventually continued to Palestine. He was accused of heresy in African Synods, but he was acquitted when present to defend himself. However, Augustine of Hippo continued to press the case against Morgan.
The Emperor Honorius, who was sympathetic to the Augustinian faction, issued an Imperial Rescript in 418, initiating a civil action against Morgan. Pope Zosimus I initially supported Morgan but later reversed his position, likely under pressure from the Emperor.
A Synod in Carthage condemned both Morgan and Celestius in 418, although Morgan was not present to defend himself. These proceedings, influenced by political and ecclesiastical interests, marked a significant chapter in the theological conflicts of the time.
Morgan's Influence and Teachings
While Morgan's writings have been largely lost to history, it is possible to discern the core of his theological teachings from the controversies and debates that surrounded him. Morgan was primarily a Christian ethicist and moral theologian who sought to apply Christian virtues to daily life. His theology emphasized a cooperative effort between God and man for salvation, in contrast to the deterministic views of Augustine and Calvin.
Morgan believed that individuals have the free will to choose to accept God's saving grace through baptism. He emphasized that God's grace was available to all and that human choices played a significant role in the path to salvation. His theology reflected a deep understanding of Holy Scriptures and the writings of the Early Church Fathers.
Key aspects of Morgan's teachings included:
Cooperative Salvation: Morgan's theology emphasized the partnership between God and human free will in the journey of salvation. He believed that individuals had the capacity to choose to accept God's grace and live a perfect life.
Grace and Works: Morgan's doctrine incorporated both grace and good works as essential components of Christian life. He rejected the deterministic views of original sin and predestination.
Holiness and Responsibility: He stressed the importance of leading a holy life and taking responsibility for one's choices. He believed that God provided the means for individuals to live in accordance with the Christian virtues.
Redemption and Free Will: Morgan's theology included a belief in the potential for redemption and the human capacity for repentance. He rejected the fatalistic views of predestination.
Morgan's legacy as a theological thinker and moralist has had a lasting impact on Christian thought. His teachings, rooted in the Holy Scriptures and the early Christian tradition, emphasized the potential for human redemption and the significance of personal responsibility in the Christian journey.
Saint Morgan and Celtic Christianity
Morgan's teachings and beliefs align with the ethos of Celtic Christianity, a distinct tradition that flourished in the British Isles during his time. Celtic Christianity emphasized a deep connection with nature and the importance of simplicity and humility, all of which resonated with Morgan's own approach to Christian life.
Celtic Christianity was known for its unique blend of Christian spirituality and Celtic traditions, celebrating the closeness of God to the natural world and the human experience. Morgan's teachings, with their emphasis on free will, cooperation in salvation, and the possibility of redemption, were compatible with the organic and nature-centered spirituality of Celtic Christianity.
Conclusion
Saint Morgan of Wales, also known as Pelagius Britto, stands as a significant figure in Christian history, known for his emphasis on free will, human cooperation in salvation, and the rejection of deterministic theological
Early Life and Education
Saint Morgan's early life and education were grounded in the rich tapestry of Celtic Christian traditions. Born in South Wales, his Latin name, Pelagius Britto, suggests his association with both the sea and his Celtic British heritage. He came from a Romanized Celtic Christian background, being the son of a decurion.
Morgan received a Latin education that included instruction in Holy Scriptures. His upbringing reflected the Celtic Christian tradition's emphasis on faith, good works, and a deep sense of the oneness of all. These foundational principles shaped his worldview and contributed to his later theological developments.
In 380, Morgan embarked on a journey to Rome to study law. However, he soon abandoned his legal career aspirations and chose the path of monasticism, becoming a monk. This decision marked the beginning of his remarkable journey as a Christian writer and theologian.
Walking in the Footsteps of the Apostles
Saint Morgan was not a mere theologian; he was a dedicated Christian who lived out his faith through his actions. His physical appearance, described as strong and stout, was a reflection of his robust faith and dedication to his Christian beliefs. His practice of walking bareheaded and moving at a deliberate pace suggested a man who valued simplicity and humility.
Morgan's distinctive approach to sharing his faith was by engaging with people in public spaces, from street corners to public squares. He engaged in conversations with people from all walks of life, passionately discussing theology, ethics, and doctrine. He was a proponent of educating women in Holy Scriptures, reflecting a belief in the equal spiritual potential of all individuals.
He openly challenged the prevailing attitudes of wealth and power in Rome, emphasizing the Christian virtues of mercy and charity. Morgan's charismatic personality, moral fervor, and deep knowledge of Holy Scriptures made him a spiritual advisor to many, and he moved within Roman Christian circles with ease.
Conflict with the Roman Church
Morgan's challenges did not go unnoticed. He confronted significant opposition, especially from prominent leaders in the Roman Church. The causes of this opposition were rooted in his moral theology and his criticism of the laxity in Christian discipline among religious and secular leaders in Rome.
Morgan faced opposition from two influential figures in the Latin Church: Augustine of Hippo and Jerome of Dalmatia. Augustine, a prominent Latin Church theologian, had previously praised Morgan but later openly attacked him in two sermons in 413. Augustine's theology, particularly his doctrines of original sin and predestination, was sharply criticized by Morgan as un-Scriptural and influenced by his previous affiliation with Manichaeism.
Jerome, a renowned linguist and translator of the Latin Vulgate Bible, engaged in personal conflicts with other Christians, including Morgan. Morgan's views on the importance of theological study and his disagreements with Jerome led to accusations of heresy.
The Roman Emperor Honorius, influenced by the Augustinian faction, issued an Imperial Rescript in 418 that ordered action against Morgan on the charge of disturbing the peace of Rome. Subsequently, Pope Zosimus I reversed his earlier support for Morgan and condemned him as a heretic, despite his earlier favorable opinions.
In the midst of this turmoil, two different Popes were consecrated, reflecting the ecclesiastical and political divisions of the time. Pope Zosimus I was succeeded by Pope Boniface I, who was more aligned with the Augustinian faction. The struggles between these factions highlighted the larger conflict over the primacy of Rome and the dominance of Latin theology in the universal Church.
Councils and Synods
Theological debates and controversies surrounding Morgan extended beyond Rome. After Rome fell to Alaric in 410, Morgan and his follower Celestius left for North Africa, where Morgan eventually continued to Palestine. He was accused of heresy in African Synods, but he was acquitted when present to defend himself. However, Augustine of Hippo continued to press the case against Morgan.
The Emperor Honorius, who was sympathetic to the Augustinian faction, issued an Imperial Rescript in 418, initiating a civil action against Morgan. Pope Zosimus I initially supported Morgan but later reversed his position, likely under pressure from the Emperor.
A Synod in Carthage condemned both Morgan and Celestius in 418, although Morgan was not present to defend himself. These proceedings, influenced by political and ecclesiastical interests, marked a significant chapter in the theological conflicts of the time.
Morgan's Influence and Teachings
While Morgan's writings have been largely lost to history, it is possible to discern the core of his theological teachings from the controversies and debates that surrounded him. Morgan was primarily a Christian ethicist and moral theologian who sought to apply Christian virtues to daily life. His theology emphasized a cooperative effort between God and man for salvation, in contrast to the deterministic views of Augustine and Calvin.
Morgan believed that individuals have the free will to choose to accept God's saving grace through baptism. He emphasized that God's grace was available to all and that human choices played a significant role in the path to salvation. His theology reflected a deep understanding of Holy Scriptures and the writings of the Early Church Fathers.
Key aspects of Morgan's teachings included:
Cooperative Salvation: Morgan's theology emphasized the partnership between God and human free will in the journey of salvation. He believed that individuals had the capacity to choose to accept God's grace and live a perfect life.
Grace and Works: Morgan's doctrine incorporated both grace and good works as essential components of Christian life. He rejected the deterministic views of original sin and predestination.
Holiness and Responsibility: He stressed the importance of leading a holy life and taking responsibility for one's choices. He believed that God provided the means for individuals to live in accordance with the Christian virtues.
Redemption and Free Will: Morgan's theology included a belief in the potential for redemption and the human capacity for repentance. He rejected the fatalistic views of predestination.
Morgan's legacy as a theological thinker and moralist has had a lasting impact on Christian thought. His teachings, rooted in the Holy Scriptures and the early Christian tradition, emphasized the potential for human redemption and the significance of personal responsibility in the Christian journey.
Saint Morgan and Celtic Christianity
Morgan's teachings and beliefs align with the ethos of Celtic Christianity, a distinct tradition that flourished in the British Isles during his time. Celtic Christianity emphasized a deep connection with nature and the importance of simplicity and humility, all of which resonated with Morgan's own approach to Christian life.
Celtic Christianity was known for its unique blend of Christian spirituality and Celtic traditions, celebrating the closeness of God to the natural world and the human experience. Morgan's teachings, with their emphasis on free will, cooperation in salvation, and the possibility of redemption, were compatible with the organic and nature-centered spirituality of Celtic Christianity.
Conclusion
Saint Morgan of Wales, also known as Pelagius Britto, stands as a significant figure in Christian history, known for his emphasis on free will, human cooperation in salvation, and the rejection of deterministic theological