High Standards

Letter 2,41 - to Archbishop Januarius. August 592

"If we considered the priestly office administered by us with integrity of mind, the agreement of undivided love ought to so unite us with our sons, that as we are approved of affectionately as fathers in our name, so we are in our deeds.
Therefore, while we ought to be the sort of men as stated, we wonder why such a great mass of complaints has arisen against your Fraternity.
We in fact have hesitated to believe them so far. But so that we are able to find out the truth, we have sent John there, a notary of our see, supported by our recommendation, to force the parties to attend a court of chosen men, and to bring into effect whatever the court decides in its procedure.
For that reason we encourage your Fraternity with the present letter that you should examine the merits of the cases by yourself, beforehand. And if you find that you have taken something unjustly, or still have it, restore it before the trail, contemplating your priesthood."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 220.