C

Archdeacon and later (311) bishop of Carthage. Caecilian acted in support of his bishop Mensurius to restrain excessive zeal for martyrdom during the persecution of Diocletian (303-305). Elected bishop of Carthage upon Mensurius's death, he found the validity of his ordination questioned, since one of his consecrators, Felix of Aptunga, was accused of being among the traditores, those who had surrendered sacred books to the persecutors.