Letter 1,27 - to Sebastian, bishop of Resini. February 591.
"I spurn my negligence and I awaken my torpor with incitements of love, so that he who is unwilling on his part to pay his dues, he may learn to pay back what he owes on pain of being spurned.
Furthermore I inform you that I have made a suggestion before the most pious of princes, filled with most earnest prayer, that he ought to send over the ex-patriarch Lord Anastasius, a most blessed gentleman, allowed the use of the pallium, to the Church of Saint Peter, the prince of the apostles, to celebrate the solemn rites of the Mass with me, so that, if he were not allowed to return to his own see, he might at least live with me, his honor intact.
But the bearer of this letter will notify you what reason stopped me from sending that same letter to you. However, get to know the thoughts of this same Lord Anastasius, and indicate to me in your letter what would please him concerning this matter."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 149.
Monday 31 May 2010
Following God's Will
Letter 1,26 - to Anastasius, archbishop op Corinth. February 591.
"The more inscrutable the judgements of God are, the more they should be feared by human minds. And so, because mortal reason cannot comprehend them, it must subjugate itself before them, by humbling the heart's neck, so that wherever the Lord's will leads the reason, there it follows with the obedient footsteps of the mind.
But considering that my infirmity could in no way attain to the pinnacle of the apostolic see, I preferred to decline this burden, to avoid succumbing to a charge of unjust administration in pastoral rule.
But because it is not possible to oppose the decision of the Lord who disposes, I have obediently followed what the merciful hand of the Lord wished to be done concerning me. For it was necessary for your Fraternity to be informed that, even if a occasion did not eventuate at the time, the Lord had deemed me worthy of presiding over the apostolic see, although unworthy of it."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 148.
"The more inscrutable the judgements of God are, the more they should be feared by human minds. And so, because mortal reason cannot comprehend them, it must subjugate itself before them, by humbling the heart's neck, so that wherever the Lord's will leads the reason, there it follows with the obedient footsteps of the mind.
But considering that my infirmity could in no way attain to the pinnacle of the apostolic see, I preferred to decline this burden, to avoid succumbing to a charge of unjust administration in pastoral rule.
But because it is not possible to oppose the decision of the Lord who disposes, I have obediently followed what the merciful hand of the Lord wished to be done concerning me. For it was necessary for your Fraternity to be informed that, even if a occasion did not eventuate at the time, the Lord had deemed me worthy of presiding over the apostolic see, although unworthy of it."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 148.
Thursday 27 May 2010
A Letter to a Friend
Letter 1,25 - to Anastasius, ex-patriarch of Antioch. February, 591.
"(Thus) losing totally all the rectitude of my mind and giving up the sharpness of my contemplation, I may say not in spirit of a prophesy but through experience: 'I have been cast down and humiliated everywhere' (Ps. 118:107).
Indeed so great are the occupational burdens which press me down, that my soul cannot in any way raise itself to things above. I am shaken by many waves of affairs, and after these quiet hours of peace, I am so afflicted by the storms of a tempestuous life that I can rightly say: 'I have come into the depth of the sea; and a tempest has overwhelmed me' (Ps. 68:2).
Stretch out the hand of your prayer to me, therefore, in my time of peril, you who stand firm on the shore of virtues."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 147.
"(Thus) losing totally all the rectitude of my mind and giving up the sharpness of my contemplation, I may say not in spirit of a prophesy but through experience: 'I have been cast down and humiliated everywhere' (Ps. 118:107).
Indeed so great are the occupational burdens which press me down, that my soul cannot in any way raise itself to things above. I am shaken by many waves of affairs, and after these quiet hours of peace, I am so afflicted by the storms of a tempestuous life that I can rightly say: 'I have come into the depth of the sea; and a tempest has overwhelmed me' (Ps. 68:2).
Stretch out the hand of your prayer to me, therefore, in my time of peril, you who stand firm on the shore of virtues."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 147.
Wednesday 26 May 2010
On Pastoral Care
Letter 1,24a - to (the) most holy and fellow-bishop John. February, 591.
"For one must think hard about how each man should attain to the pinnacle of power, when the necessity of affairs demands this, and duly reaching it, how he should live his life, and living it honestly, how he should teach others, and teaching rightly, with how much consideration he should recognize his own weakness, each day, so that his humility does not flee from accession to power, nor his life speak against his reaching it, nor his learning forsake his life, nor his self-assurance applaud his learning.
And so let fear first temper his appetite. But afterwards, let his life recommend him for high office, which is undertaken by the person who does not seek it.
Then the pastor's goodness, which is shown by the way he ives his life, must also be spread by the way he speaks."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 147.
"For one must think hard about how each man should attain to the pinnacle of power, when the necessity of affairs demands this, and duly reaching it, how he should live his life, and living it honestly, how he should teach others, and teaching rightly, with how much consideration he should recognize his own weakness, each day, so that his humility does not flee from accession to power, nor his life speak against his reaching it, nor his learning forsake his life, nor his self-assurance applaud his learning.
And so let fear first temper his appetite. But afterwards, let his life recommend him for high office, which is undertaken by the person who does not seek it.
Then the pastor's goodness, which is shown by the way he ives his life, must also be spread by the way he speaks."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 147.
Monday 24 May 2010
Intercessor for a Sinful People
Letter 1,24 - to John of Constantinople, Eulogius of Alexandria, Gregory of Antioch and John of Jerusalem, and to Anastasius ex-patriach of Antioch, from the same original. February, 591.
"(For) why is a bishop chosen before the Lord except to intercede on behalf of sinful people? And so with what confidence do I come before Him as an intercessor for other people's sins when I am not secure about my own sins in his presence?
Just suppose somebody appearing before a man of power were to ask that I become his intercessor, and that man of power was both angry with him and unknown to me, I should reply at once; 'I cannot come to intercede, because I have no knowledge of him from a long-time friendship.'
Therefore if I should rightly blush to become an intercessor as a man before another man, about whom I would make no presumption, what great audacity it is to hold the position of the people's intercessor before God, when I do not recognize myself as a friend of His due to a life of merit.
In which matter there is still something else, which I should fear more seriously. For as we all clearly know, when one who displeases is sent to intercede, the mind of an angry party is provoked to a worse state. And I am extremely afraid that the Christian people entrusted to me may perish with the addition of my guilt, whose faults our Lord always used to tolerate with equanimity hitherto. But whenever I somehow suppress this fear and apply my consoled mind to the studies of pontifical work, considering the very immensity of the business, I am terrified."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 135.
"(For) why is a bishop chosen before the Lord except to intercede on behalf of sinful people? And so with what confidence do I come before Him as an intercessor for other people's sins when I am not secure about my own sins in his presence?
Just suppose somebody appearing before a man of power were to ask that I become his intercessor, and that man of power was both angry with him and unknown to me, I should reply at once; 'I cannot come to intercede, because I have no knowledge of him from a long-time friendship.'
Therefore if I should rightly blush to become an intercessor as a man before another man, about whom I would make no presumption, what great audacity it is to hold the position of the people's intercessor before God, when I do not recognize myself as a friend of His due to a life of merit.
In which matter there is still something else, which I should fear more seriously. For as we all clearly know, when one who displeases is sent to intercede, the mind of an angry party is provoked to a worse state. And I am extremely afraid that the Christian people entrusted to me may perish with the addition of my guilt, whose faults our Lord always used to tolerate with equanimity hitherto. But whenever I somehow suppress this fear and apply my consoled mind to the studies of pontifical work, considering the very immensity of the business, I am terrified."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 135.
Sunday 23 May 2010
Earthly Help and Heavenly Rewards
Letter 1,23 - to sub-deacon Anthelm. February, 591.
"It has been suggested to us that some nuns in the city of Nola, while staying in the Aborida, endured an excessive deprivation of food and clothing. From the precept of God, it is fitting that we help them and relieve their want as far as we can, with the Lord's giving.
For that reason we charge your Experience with the present order: from this present ninth indiction, you should give them forty gold coins and thereafter at subsequent indictions provide twenty gold coins each year, which you may charge to your accounts. (..) Do this therefore in such a way that you also participate in a future reward."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 134.
"It has been suggested to us that some nuns in the city of Nola, while staying in the Aborida, endured an excessive deprivation of food and clothing. From the precept of God, it is fitting that we help them and relieve their want as far as we can, with the Lord's giving.
For that reason we charge your Experience with the present order: from this present ninth indiction, you should give them forty gold coins and thereafter at subsequent indictions provide twenty gold coins each year, which you may charge to your accounts. (..) Do this therefore in such a way that you also participate in a future reward."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 134.
Thursday 20 May 2010
An (Allmost) Unconditional Friendship
Letter 1,22 - to George, praetorian prefect of Italy. February 591.
"The goodness of your Excellency I have always knows, and now I have renewed my knowledge of it with an added experience. Wherefore I pray to our almighty Lord to guard you with his protection, and to bestow his grace on you both in Heaven and in the palace of our most serene emperor. If no depravities of men who are among us force us apart, know with full certainty that I am your friend."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 134.
"The goodness of your Excellency I have always knows, and now I have renewed my knowledge of it with an added experience. Wherefore I pray to our almighty Lord to guard you with his protection, and to bestow his grace on you both in Heaven and in the palace of our most serene emperor. If no depravities of men who are among us force us apart, know with full certainty that I am your friend."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 134.
A Promise
Letter 1,21 - to Nonnosus. February 591.
"May almighty God make known to your heart with what great devotion I am united with you. Although I cannot fulfill it through a letter, yet if ever I find an opportunity, I shall take care to show it to you with my deeds."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 133.
"May almighty God make known to your heart with what great devotion I am united with you. Although I cannot fulfill it through a letter, yet if ever I find an opportunity, I shall take care to show it to you with my deeds."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 133.
Sunday 16 May 2010
The Burden of Office
Letter 1,20 - to Natalis, bishop of Salona. January 591.
"(R)eason was advising us to rejoice with you over your rank as bishop. For that reason, made more joyful because of your greeting, we describe our feelings, admitting that I have taken on the burdens of this same office with a heavy heart. But because I was not able to fight against divine decrees, I have by necessity recalled my mind to a happier state.
For which reason, we beseech your Reverence with the words of this letter that we ourselves may enjoy the solace of your prayer, as does the Christian flock committed to our care, so that we can thereby overcome the storms of these times with the firmness of your support."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 133.
"(R)eason was advising us to rejoice with you over your rank as bishop. For that reason, made more joyful because of your greeting, we describe our feelings, admitting that I have taken on the burdens of this same office with a heavy heart. But because I was not able to fight against divine decrees, I have by necessity recalled my mind to a happier state.
For which reason, we beseech your Reverence with the words of this letter that we ourselves may enjoy the solace of your prayer, as does the Christian flock committed to our care, so that we can thereby overcome the storms of these times with the firmness of your support."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 133.
Saturday 15 May 2010
Concord Must Be
Letter 1,19 - to Natalis, bishop of Salona. January 591.
"We have found that the acts that you have directed to us, carried out in the conclave of your council, by which Archdeacon Honaratus is indicted, are full of seeds of dispute. For at one and the same time a person is unwillingly promoted to the rank of priest, and is removed from the office of deacon as if undeserving.
And just as it is right that nobody should be compelled to be promoted against there wishes, even so I think it should be agreed similarly that nobody who is innocent, should be unjustly demoted from the office of his order.
However, since it is discord hateful to God that excuses your party, we advise you to restore his place and function to Archdeacon Honoratus, and in concord show the servitude suited to the service of God."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 133.
"We have found that the acts that you have directed to us, carried out in the conclave of your council, by which Archdeacon Honaratus is indicted, are full of seeds of dispute. For at one and the same time a person is unwillingly promoted to the rank of priest, and is removed from the office of deacon as if undeserving.
And just as it is right that nobody should be compelled to be promoted against there wishes, even so I think it should be agreed similarly that nobody who is innocent, should be unjustly demoted from the office of his order.
However, since it is discord hateful to God that excuses your party, we advise you to restore his place and function to Archdeacon Honoratus, and in concord show the servitude suited to the service of God."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 133.
A Flock Needs A Shepherd
Letter 1,18 - to Sub-deacon Peter. January 591.
"If some cities in the province of Sicily are known to be without the rule of a priest, through the loss of priests because of misdemeanors, see if someone can be found worthy of a priestly position. Inquire first of all into the gravity of their morals, and then send them over to us, as the flock of every single place ought not to be found destitute for a long time, due to a pastor's lapse.
But if, in fact, you will find some positions vacant, but nobody from that same church is discovered suitable for such an honor, report back to us after a similarly thorough inquire, so that God can decide whom he judges worthy of such ordinations.
For it should not happen that, through one person's deviation, the Lord's flock may be scattered through rugged places without a shepherd. For in this way, proper order results for the parishes, and no suspicion will remain for those who have lapsed of reverting to there former state, so that they are more rightly penitent."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 132.
"If some cities in the province of Sicily are known to be without the rule of a priest, through the loss of priests because of misdemeanors, see if someone can be found worthy of a priestly position. Inquire first of all into the gravity of their morals, and then send them over to us, as the flock of every single place ought not to be found destitute for a long time, due to a pastor's lapse.
But if, in fact, you will find some positions vacant, but nobody from that same church is discovered suitable for such an honor, report back to us after a similarly thorough inquire, so that God can decide whom he judges worthy of such ordinations.
For it should not happen that, through one person's deviation, the Lord's flock may be scattered through rugged places without a shepherd. For in this way, proper order results for the parishes, and no suspicion will remain for those who have lapsed of reverting to there former state, so that they are more rightly penitent."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 132.
Thursday 13 May 2010
True Faith And Eternal Life
Letter 1,17 - to all the bishops of Italy. January 591.
"The most wicked Autharit (..) prohibited the children of the Lpmbards from being baptized into the Catholic faith (..) so it is right that your Fraternity should advice all the Lombards in your dioceses that,in view of the grim pestilence which is threatening everywhere, they should reconcile those same children of theirs, who were baptized in the Arian heresy, to the Catholic faith, so as to placate the anger of our almighty Lord.
Therefore, warn those whom you can, with whatever courage you can, bring them to the true faith, and constantly preach eternal life to them (..)."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 131.
"The most wicked Autharit (..) prohibited the children of the Lpmbards from being baptized into the Catholic faith (..) so it is right that your Fraternity should advice all the Lombards in your dioceses that,in view of the grim pestilence which is threatening everywhere, they should reconcile those same children of theirs, who were baptized in the Arian heresy, to the Catholic faith, so as to placate the anger of our almighty Lord.
Therefore, warn those whom you can, with whatever courage you can, bring them to the true faith, and constantly preach eternal life to them (..)."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 131.
The Communion of Faith
Letter 1,16 - to Severus, bishop of Aquileia. January 591.
"(For) not to know the truth involves less of an aberration than not to remain in the same truth once it is known, and what is committed by one who has gone astray is one thing, and what is perpetrated through knowledge is another. And indeed, if we had rejoiced over how far you had been incorporated, long ago, into the unity of the Church, we are most upset that you are now so abundantly disassociated from Catholic society.
For this reason, as soon as the bearer of this letter arrives, following the command of the most Christian and serene Lordship of all, we wish you to come to the tomb of Saint Peter the apostle with your followers, so that with God's support, in a special synod,a decision may be made about that doubt which is prevalent among you all."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 131.
"(For) not to know the truth involves less of an aberration than not to remain in the same truth once it is known, and what is committed by one who has gone astray is one thing, and what is perpetrated through knowledge is another. And indeed, if we had rejoiced over how far you had been incorporated, long ago, into the unity of the Church, we are most upset that you are now so abundantly disassociated from Catholic society.
For this reason, as soon as the bearer of this letter arrives, following the command of the most Christian and serene Lordship of all, we wish you to come to the tomb of Saint Peter the apostle with your followers, so that with God's support, in a special synod,a decision may be made about that doubt which is prevalent among you all."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 131.
Monday 10 May 2010
Pastoral Care
Letter i,15 - to Balbinus, bishop of Rosellano. januari 591.
"It has come to our attention that the church of Populonae has been so destitute of the office of priests that neither can the last confession be administered there to the dying, nor can baptism be provided to infants. Most disturbed therefore by the importance of such a holy and such a necessary matter as this, we order your Beloved to go as visitor to the above mentioned church, strengthened by the authority of this decree."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 130.
"It has come to our attention that the church of Populonae has been so destitute of the office of priests that neither can the last confession be administered there to the dying, nor can baptism be provided to infants. Most disturbed therefore by the importance of such a holy and such a necessary matter as this, we order your Beloved to go as visitor to the above mentioned church, strengthened by the authority of this decree."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 130.
Saturday 8 May 2010
One Faith
Letter 1,14 - to Demetrius, bishop of Naples. December 590.
"Stephen, the bearer of this letter, when his mind was wavering from the path of truth concerning certain articles of faith, had suspended himself from the communion of the Catholic Church because of his doubts over this matter, until God, the discloser of truth, should recall him to the path of righteousness. Please recognize that he has satisfied us and has taken communion, accepting the Catholic faith. (..) We give you this advice with the present letter, by virtue of our faith and at risk to us, that they [Stephen and a group sharing his earlier doubts, AS], that they themselves seem to have demanded. Receive them into the Catholic faith and communion, and recall them from the darkness into light in whatever ways you can, so that after a case of this sort has been brought to us, even if we pass over it in silence, we cannot endure the failure of negligence over their souls."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 130.
"Stephen, the bearer of this letter, when his mind was wavering from the path of truth concerning certain articles of faith, had suspended himself from the communion of the Catholic Church because of his doubts over this matter, until God, the discloser of truth, should recall him to the path of righteousness. Please recognize that he has satisfied us and has taken communion, accepting the Catholic faith. (..) We give you this advice with the present letter, by virtue of our faith and at risk to us, that they [Stephen and a group sharing his earlier doubts, AS], that they themselves seem to have demanded. Receive them into the Catholic faith and communion, and recall them from the darkness into light in whatever ways you can, so that after a case of this sort has been brought to us, even if we pass over it in silence, we cannot endure the failure of negligence over their souls."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 130.
Friday 7 May 2010
The Rights of a Woman
Letter 1,13 - to Dominic, bishop of Civitavecchia. December 590.
"It is indeed part of a priest's duty that you are obliged to provide assistance for widows and for women bereft of a husband's support, so that where in this world they are deprived of a truly human life, they can find remedies under the protection of a priest. Since therefore Luminosa, an honorable women and wido of the very famous tribune Zemarcus, has entrusted herself, after God, to our protection, we advise you to give her relief in whatever she needs, and let nobody cause her trouble in the slightest degree.
But because, with the agreement of the Palatine Theodore, the wife herself has been allowed to carry out that financial command, which her husband had undertaken to exercise (..), you should not allow anything to disturb her while she carries it out."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 129..
"It is indeed part of a priest's duty that you are obliged to provide assistance for widows and for women bereft of a husband's support, so that where in this world they are deprived of a truly human life, they can find remedies under the protection of a priest. Since therefore Luminosa, an honorable women and wido of the very famous tribune Zemarcus, has entrusted herself, after God, to our protection, we advise you to give her relief in whatever she needs, and let nobody cause her trouble in the slightest degree.
But because, with the agreement of the Palatine Theodore, the wife herself has been allowed to carry out that financial command, which her husband had undertaken to exercise (..), you should not allow anything to disturb her while she carries it out."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 129..
Tuesday 4 May 2010
Come to Your Senses!
Letter 1,12 - to John, bishop of Orvieto. December 590.
"Agapitus, abbot of the monastery of Saint George, has informed us that (..) the celebration of masses is prohibited, and you even forbid the dead from being buried there. But if that is so, we exhort you to put an end to such inhumanity, and please allow the dead to be buried there and masses to be celebrated, with no further prohibition (..)."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 129.
"Agapitus, abbot of the monastery of Saint George, has informed us that (..) the celebration of masses is prohibited, and you even forbid the dead from being buried there. But if that is so, we exhort you to put an end to such inhumanity, and please allow the dead to be buried there and masses to be celebrated, with no further prohibition (..)."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 129.
A Word of Comfort
Letter 1,11 - to the patrician Clementina. December 590.
"And indeed our sadness at the loss of our friends ought to be more tolerable, in as far as the condition of mortality demands that we lose them. And yet he is a powerful consolation for the lost support of mortal life, who in allowing himself to be removed from us, granted that even he himself take the place which has been left empty, as our comforter."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 129.
"And indeed our sadness at the loss of our friends ought to be more tolerable, in as far as the condition of mortality demands that we lose them. And yet he is a powerful consolation for the lost support of mortal life, who in allowing himself to be removed from us, granted that even he himself take the place which has been left empty, as our comforter."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 129.
An Urge for Concord
Letter 1,10 - to Honoratus, deacon of Salona. November 590.
"We were distressed, for the reason that among you [the deacon and his bishop, AS] charity recognizes nothing. However, we command you to administer in the office of your order, and if the reason for your quarrel can be confined there, with grace in abundance, we believe that your soul has been greatly enriched. But if instead discord has armed the two parties among you in such a way that your will must remain in a ferment of antagonism, present yourself to our audience without delay, and let your bishop send a chosen person on his behalf with instructions, so that after weighing everything with careful reasoning, we may decide what seems right for each of the two parties."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 128.
"We were distressed, for the reason that among you [the deacon and his bishop, AS] charity recognizes nothing. However, we command you to administer in the office of your order, and if the reason for your quarrel can be confined there, with grace in abundance, we believe that your soul has been greatly enriched. But if instead discord has armed the two parties among you in such a way that your will must remain in a ferment of antagonism, present yourself to our audience without delay, and let your bishop send a chosen person on his behalf with instructions, so that after weighing everything with careful reasoning, we may decide what seems right for each of the two parties."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 128.
The Burden of Property
Letter 1,9 - to Sub-deacon Peter. October 590.
"(..) people from the estate of Fulloniacum, members of the Holy Church of Rome, want to occupy the lands of the estate of Gerdinna, which shares a boundary with the same aforesaid estate of the Holy church of Rome, and which they have possessed without legal trouble for countless years. And we wish, therefore, that you go to the city of Palermo and discuss the request (..)."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 127.
"(..) people from the estate of Fulloniacum, members of the Holy Church of Rome, want to occupy the lands of the estate of Gerdinna, which shares a boundary with the same aforesaid estate of the Holy church of Rome, and which they have possessed without legal trouble for countless years. And we wish, therefore, that you go to the city of Palermo and discuss the request (..)."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 127.
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