The arrival of the Roman elite in Africa created a volatile social environment where extreme wealth met extreme asceticism. The incident involving Pinianus and his wife Melania provides a raw look at how the "poor" laity viewed the "rich" clergy.
When Pinianus visited Hippo, the local population did not see a holy man; they saw a Financial Asset. The crowd violently demanded that Augustine ordain Pinianus as a priest, not out of spiritual desire, but in the hope that Pinianus's legendary riches would be transferred to the local church. This "holy" demand was, in reality, a calculated attempt at wealth redistribution.
The Bishop's Dilemma: Augustine found himself caught between a turbulent mob and a reluctant candidate. His refusal to ordain Pinianus against his will was not just a matter of canon law, but a defense of his own integrity. He warned the people that if they forced the issue, they would only succeed in expelling Pinianus from Africa entirely.
To pacify the crowd, Pinianus was forced to swear an oath that he would remain in Hippo if not compelled into orders. The ensuing debate over the "words of the oath"—specifically whether "necessities" (like plague or invasion) could excuse him from the promise—highlights the era's obsession with the letter of the law versus the spirit of the law.
Augustine's eventual defense of Pinianus to his mother-in-law, Albina, reveals the deep suspicion the wealthy felt toward the clergy. Albina accused the bishops of being "treasurers" who coveted Pinianus's gold. Augustine's response—claiming that his own office was a "burden" and that he had forsaken his own estates—was a necessary piece of Public Relations to maintain the moral authority of the episcopacy.