Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature to the End of the Sixth Century/Privatus, bp. of Lambaesis

Privatus (2), once bp. of the important but shortlived city of Lambaesis in Numidia, the present Tazzût or Tezzulot (Momms.). He was condemned for heresy and multa et gravia delicta, by 90 bishops at a council under Donatus, bp. of Carthage (Cypr. Ep. 59, xiii.; 10), and apparently under the Roman bishopric of Fabian (a.d. 240, Morcelli). Apparently the council was held at Lambaesis, and afterwards Donatus and Fabian issued letters condemnatory of Privatus and his opinions.

In 250 Privatus visited Rome, and Cyprian, apprehensive of his influence, warned the clergy against him. They replied (Ep. xxxvi. 4) that they had already detected him in an attempt to obtain litterae (communicatoriae) from them fraudulently.

He presented himself (vetus haereticus) and desired to be heard on behalf of the party who took the lax view as to the lapsi, at the 2nd council Id. Mai., 252, and, on being rejected,

consecrated Fortunatus pseudo-bishop (Ep. lix. 13), assisted by a pseudo-bishop, Felix, of his own consecration, and by Jovinus and Maximus, and a lapsed bishop, Repostus Suturnicensis.

[E.W.B.]