The Order Of The Republic

Letter 1,59 - to Gennadius, patrician and exarch of Africa. July 591.

"The submission of the enemy's neck bears witness to the fact that you have the fear of God before your eyes and pursue justice incessantly. But so that the grace of Christ protects your Glory with the same prosperity, whatever wrongdoings you know are being committed, check them with a swift prohibition, in your customary manner. Thus protected by the armor of justice, you may overcome the enemy's attacks with the virtue of faith, all the sooner.
For Marinianus, our brother and fellow bishop of the city of Porto Torres, has informed us tearfully that the poor of his city are totally distraught and badly hit by the costs of commodities. Furthermore even religious members of his church are enduring heavy molestation and suffering injuries at the hands of the men of Theodore, their military commander. It has reached such a point, he says, that they are being thrown into prison, dreadful to relate. Even in cases concerning his church, he is being seriously impeded himself by the aforesaid glorious gentleman.
If these facts are really true, you know how contrary they are to the law and order of the republic. And since it is proper for your Excellency to rectify all of these abuses, I salute your Eminence and request you not to let it happen any longer."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 178.