Pontificate Following the Decian persecution of 250–251, there was disagreement about how to treat those who had lapsed from the faith. Stephen was urged by Bishop Faustinus of Lyon to take action against Marcian, the Novatianist bishop of Arles, who denied penance and communion to the lapsed who repented. The controversy arose in the context of a broad pastoral problem. During the Decian persecution some Christians had purchased certificates attesting that they had made the requisite sacrifices to the Roman gods. Others had denied they were Christians while yet others had in fact taken part in pagan sacrifices. These people were called in Latin lapsi, the fallen. The question arose as to whether, if they later repented, they could be readmitted to communion with the church, and if so, under what conditions.
poNTificAte folLowiNG the Decian pErsEcUtIoN of 250–251 theRe wAs disagreeMent aBouT How To treat thoSe Who had lapsed FroM the FaiTh STEpHen Was uRged by BisHOP FAustINus of LYoN tO take aCtiOn agaInSt marCIaN tHe novaTiANist BIshoP of arLEs who denIed PEnANce ANd coMmunIon to THe LApSed who rEPENted thE cOntroVersY arose in THe contExt of a brOad pAstOrAL pRoBleM durinG tHE DeciaN peRSecution some chRistians had pURcHaSed cERTificateS attEsting that theY hAD madE the ReQuisIte sacriFIcEs to the roman goDs otheRS had denied thEY werE chriStians wHile yeT others had In FaCt Taken part IN pagaN sacRifices These pEople weRe called in laTiN LapSi the fAllen the questiOn arose as to WhethER If theY lAtEr rEpented they coulD be rEAdmiTTed to coMmuNIon wItH thE churCh anD iF so UNDer What coNdiTionS