Quote from Letter 5,10 to each of the bishops throughout Illyria. October 594.
(W)e have found out that in the person of John, our brother and fellow-bishop, the consensus of all of you and the wish of our most serene emperor are in accord. Great exultation has filled us, therefore, that such a man has been promoted, with the authority of God, to the office of bishop, a man who has been proved worthy of all things by the judgement of his election.
Therefore, in accordance with the purpose of your demand, with the authority of our assent we confirm that our brother and fewllow-bishop mentioned above is esthablished in the rank of priesthood which he holds, and we declare that we consider his ordination as ratified, by sending him the pallium.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II: 329.
Thursday 19 April 2012
Church Property
Quote from Letter 5,9 to Peter, notary in Reggio. October 594.
Those bearing this letter asked that the church plate of the church of Myrie, which Bishop Severinus had at some stage taken with him to Squillace, be restored to them.
Since, therefore, Church property ought to be secured with careful concern, this is what we have decided. He should be consecrated bishop in the same city where the plate itself could be handed over to him.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II: 329.
Those bearing this letter asked that the church plate of the church of Myrie, which Bishop Severinus had at some stage taken with him to Squillace, be restored to them.
Since, therefore, Church property ought to be secured with careful concern, this is what we have decided. He should be consecrated bishop in the same city where the plate itself could be handed over to him.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II: 329.
Saturday 14 April 2012
Humility
Quote from Letter 5,8 to Felix, bishop of Serdica. October 594.
You yourself have no doubt as to how obedience and reverence ought to be shown to your superiors and to your inferiors also. In this matter, it is most advantageous if humility that deserves applause can uphold what the force of discipline imposes, without anyone's pressure.
And so, it has come to our attention that your Fraternity does not deign to obey our brother John, bishop of Prima Justiniana, according to custom, and are unwillling to add your signature in the normal way either to his decree or to the repley that he sent to us.
But if this is so, we are most upset.
For you are clearly showing proof of arrogance on your part. And the words of a divine warning state loudly how especially culpable this is, where a priest is concerned.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II: 328.
You yourself have no doubt as to how obedience and reverence ought to be shown to your superiors and to your inferiors also. In this matter, it is most advantageous if humility that deserves applause can uphold what the force of discipline imposes, without anyone's pressure.
And so, it has come to our attention that your Fraternity does not deign to obey our brother John, bishop of Prima Justiniana, according to custom, and are unwillling to add your signature in the normal way either to his decree or to the repley that he sent to us.
But if this is so, we are most upset.
For you are clearly showing proof of arrogance on your part. And the words of a divine warning state loudly how especially culpable this is, where a priest is concerned.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II: 328.
Tax and Converts
Quote from Letter 5,7 to Cyprian, deacon and rector of the Sicilian patrmony. October 594.
Thus the tax burden would be relieved for the convert, and Church funds would not be under pressure from a heavy expense. Nor are we doing this unprofitably, if by relieving their taxburdens we bring them to the grace of Christ. For, although they themselves come to us with little faith, even so these who are born from them can now be baptized with greater faith. Our profit therefore, is either themselves or their children. Whatever we lose in tax for Christ's sake is not a serious loss.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II: 327.
Thus the tax burden would be relieved for the convert, and Church funds would not be under pressure from a heavy expense. Nor are we doing this unprofitably, if by relieving their taxburdens we bring them to the grace of Christ. For, although they themselves come to us with little faith, even so these who are born from them can now be baptized with greater faith. Our profit therefore, is either themselves or their children. Whatever we lose in tax for Christ's sake is not a serious loss.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II: 327.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
