Foes Of God

Quote from Letter 5,32 to Cyprian, deacon. 20 April 595

And so, with al virtue and with all urgency let your Beloved take care to show your zeal in this case towards our almighty God, and to exhibit worthy opposition to His foes with the infliction of punishments, so that you fulfill what has been written: 'Do I not hate them, O Lord, that hate you? I am nog grieved with those who rise up against you?' If therefore your Beloved is inflamed with the zeal, let punishment be shown against those who have abandoned God and harmed Him with their evil deeds. But if you are unable to carry this out correctly therein, men of this sort ought to be sent over to us, provided that it can be shown that they can be convicted there without any difficulty. But because I think that this is impossible, you ought to apply a strict and severe punishment there.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 

On Taxes

Quote from Letter 5,31 to the tenants of estates or farms situated in Gaul. 15 April 595.

But because the time of winter has impeded us, we have arranged for you to be commended to a glorious man and patrician, Arigius. In the meantime be ready to obey him with earnest goodwill and obedience, as is proper for servants of Saint Peter, and to implement whatever you are ordered to do for the sake of the Church's benefit.

We have decided that you should bring in customary exceptions for its benefit. But let the taxes collected honestly and with all diligence remain under the care of any of you whom you have elected with common consent. When the man we are going to send up from our side reaches you, he can receive those taxes from that person.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 344

To The Emperor

Quote from Letter 5,30 to Maurice, Augustus. 12 March 595

Some nuns have come to this city from various provinces, fleeing after being captured, and several of them were placed in monasteries, as far as the possibilities of the places allowed, but those among them who could not be housed at all, are living singularly destitute lives of poverty. Because of this, it has been decided that what could be spared from the blind and maimed and other invalids, ought to be paid to them, provided that not only indigent locals but also strangers arriving here should receive the mercy of your Lordship. It has thus been brought about that they all pray together in concord for the life of their Lordship, that almighty God might grant you a long and peaceful life and allow the most fortunate offspring of your Piety to flourish for a long time in the Roman republic.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 342

Setting The Example

Quote from Letter 5,29 t Julian, a recruiting-officer. 2 March 595

Indeed you do well to love charity and persuade men to concord. But since we are compelled by a consideration of our rank to leave aside those unwanted things which have not come to all our notice because of God, for that reason, as Maximus comes here, we take care to examine him in detail as to what has been said about him, and we are confident in the protection of our Creator, as we are deflected neither by anyone's favor nor by any wrongdoing from the status of canon law and the rectitude of justice, but we freely preserve what agrees with reason. for it (Heaven forbid!) we neglect the care and energy of the Church, idleness destroys discipline and will certainly harm the souls of the faithful, while they receive examples of this sort from their own bishops.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 342

Investigation

Quote from Letter 5,28 to Cyprian, deacon. March 595

Benenatus, our brother and fellow-bishop, alleges that a certain monk, Cicerio, [...] was a servant of his under Church law, and asks for him to be restored to him together with his goods.

And so, it is necessary that your Beloved should inquire into this earnestly, and if it is established to be truly so, restore the aforesaid Cicerio with his goods [...] to the ownership of the Church of Misenum, without any delay. This, after a culpable lapse has removed him from the monastic way of life, he may now recognize the yoke of mastership, which he could have avoided as a permanent monk.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 342.

Aid

Quote from Letter 5,27 to Gaudentius, bishop of Nola. March 595

Let your Fraternity restore the ten gold coins that Festus, one-time bishop of the above-mentioned church [of Capua], took from Rusticus, his archdeacon, because Rusticus is said to have reached such terrible poverty that something should be conferred on him rather than taken away from him. For it is hard to neglect a person even far from his priestly office, when he is subject to need, while longing for money indecently, so keen to pile it up.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 341

Good Counsel

Quote from Letter 5,26 to Vincomalus, defender. February 595

You should faithfully work hard to complete all that we have charged you to do, as being about to render an account on your actions before the judgement of our God. We have dictated this letter for Paterius, notary of our Church, to write down.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 341

Last Will

Quote from Letter 5,25 to Castor, notary. February 595

It has come to our attention, therefore, that a certain Adeodatus, a citizen of Pisa, allotted Thomas as guardian for his son and his home-bred slave, his appointed heirs, with this condition added, that if his heirs should perhaps pass from this life while still wards, all of his wealth would have to be paid out to the poor, through the hands of the aforesaid guardian. 

Those who were appointed as his heirs soon died, but the above-mentioned guardian is said to have been prevented by certain people from being able to implement the dead man's last wish.

Wherefore if you find it to be true as we have been told, take care and show concern to protect and defend the aforesaid guardian reasonably, so that whatever was imposed o him we should be able to deliver effectively.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 340

Death Of A Bishop (3)

Quote from Letter 5,24 to Castor, notary. 10 February 595

The news of the death of our brother and fellow-bishop, John, has saddened us very greatly, especially as that city had at this time lost the consolation of pastoral care. Since, therefore, very many benefits demand that a priest should be ordained for the church itself without delay, and with Christ's authority, for that reason we command your Experience to be active in exhorting the clergy and people with all urgency not to put off electing a priest for themselves who should be consecrated. But we want you to advise them before all else not to attend to their private benefits in a general issue. Therefore, let there be no venality in this election, in case they lose their discretion in making a choice, while seeking bribes, and thank one suitable for this office as he pleased them not with his merits, but with his presents.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 339

Death Of Another Bishop

Quote from Letter 5,23 to Cyprian, deacon of the Sicilian patrimony. February 595

We believe that your Beloved has already learnt of the death o Bishop Theodore. But because he is said to have made a will, you must carefully inquire what he had used from the goods of his church. And if, indeed, you learn that he reduced them to some extent improperly, deal with it in such a way that the goods themselves are totally repaid by whom who is concerned in it.


Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 339

Death Of A Bishop (2)

Quote from Letter 5,22 to the clergy, nobles and people of Ravenna. 10 February 595

Learning of the death of your bishop, it was our concern to solemnly dedicate the visitations of the bereaved church to our brother and fellow-bishop, to whom we have granted in our orders that he should allow nothing concerning promotions of clergy, revenue, ornaments and holy dishes to be expected by anyone. It is appropriate for you to obey his assiduous exhortations, and the rest according to custom.


Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 339

Death Of A Bishop (1)

Quote from Letter 5,20 to Cyprian, deacon of the Sicilian patrimony. February 595

I have received the very bitter letters of your Beloved about the death of Lord Maximian in the month of November. And indeed he has come to the rewards he longed for, but we must feel sorry for the unlucky people of the city of Syracuse, who did not deserve to have such a bishop for a long time.
Therefore let your Beloved take care that just such a person should be chosen for consecration in the same church, who after our Lord Maximian should not appear to obtain the same position of control without deserving it. And I certainly believe that the majority would elect the priest Trajan, who is said to have an honest mind.



Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 338

Limits to Kindness

Quote from Letter 5,19 to Romanus, exarch of Italy, resident in Ravenna. December 594


Before your Excellency, the audacity of evil men ought to find the stings of punishment rather than the comfort of a defense. For it is serious enough if an evil act should happen to find refuge there, where it is right that the censure of discipline should apply. And so it has come to our attention that Speciosus, an ex-priest, who had been allotted to a monastery by our brother and fellow-bishop, John, left it contrary to the wishes of his bishop, and despising the strength of the Church's constitution resisted the aforesaid bishop, relying on your protection.
And because this without doubt stirs up hatred for your Excellency, you must suspend yourself from protecting him, showing discretion, in case, in he uses the pretext of your name to be disobedient and abusive to his pastor, his bishop is forced to defend your judges against you for the moment, and to offend your excellency over this matter, and to distress us equally over your quarrel.



Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 337

Church Discipline

Quote from Letter 5,18 to Constantius, bishop of Milan. November 594

But as for the ex-priest Vitalian, about whom you write that he should be strictly guarded, we shall have him sent to Sicily, so that, with the hope of escape from there removed, he can at least restrict himself then to the laments of penitence. We also decreed that Jobinus, one-time deacon and abbot in Porto Venere, should be deprived of his office, and wrote that another deacon should be ordained in his place. Similarly we also decreed that the three sub-deacons who had lapsed, as reported by your Fraternity, should be deprived and without their office forever, and be provided with Holy Communion as if they were lay people. However, we have ordered the ex-priest Saturninus to make a sworn statement that he will never presume to apply for a ministry of holy orders. And we want him to remain in the same island in which he was deprived of holy orders, allowing him to have and show care and concern for the monasteries there, since we believe that, even from his lapse, he had been more cautious, and is guarding the monasteries entrusted to him now with even more concern.



Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 336

Pastoral Care

Quote from Letter 5,17 to Venantius, bishop of Luni. November 594


And so let your Fraternity look after what has been entrusted to you with vigilant care. With your preaching you must save them from their evil deeds, as you are able to do, so that you are found both to fulfill the purpose of your office and to make God be there so recompense you for your actions. But we are extremely keen to see you and to rejoice in God over your presence here and your safety. We have sent a vestment for the woman who needs to be baptized, and we pray that you always write to us about such things.
We have also directed that those bearing this letter should hand over a copy of our Pastoral Care to the noble priest, Columban. You are not to keep it for yourself, for we are sending over another copy as quickly as possible, for you to use.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II,

The Task Of The Shepherd

Quote from Letter 5,16 to John, bishop of Prima Justiana, in Illyria. November 594

(W)e have duly sent over a pallium, and decree that you carry out the office of the apostolic see with regular renewal, and suggest that you should show yourself as so approachable among your subjects, that they are encouraged to love your rectitude rather than fear it. If perchance their sins should demand it, you will take care so to correct their faults, that you in no way give up the paternal affection you feel for them.
Be vigilant and concerned in guarding the flock entrusted to you, and strict with a keen desire for discipline, so that the wolf lying in wait does not succeed in disturbing the Lord's sheepfold or in harming the sheep with any chance of deceit. Be quick to make a profit in souls for our God, with the full attention of your mind. Realize that we have adopted the name of shepherd not for rest but for hard work. Let us show, therefore, with our work what we signify in the name.


Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 333

A Moral Appeal

Quote from Letter 5,15 to John, bishop of Ravenna. November 594

Reflect, therefore, on all of these things about which I have already spoken, my very dear brother. Pay attention to the day of your calling, consider what account you will give for the burden of your episcopate. Correct that behavior of a notary. See what is fitting for the tongue, and for the acts of bishops. Be totally pure with your brethren. Do not say one thing and have another in your heart, and do not seek to appear more than you are, so that you can really be more than you appear to be. Believe me, when I came to this position, I deliberated so carefully and felt such affection for your Fraternity, that if you have been willing to preserve that same affection of mine, you would never have found such a brother again, loving you so sincerely and agreeing with you in all devotion.
But learning of your words and behavior, I must confess that I recoiled. I ask you therefore by almighty God, correct all those things that I have put before you, especially the vice of duplicity. Allow me to love you, and both for the present and for the life to come, it will be to your advantage that your brethren love you.
But reply to this not with words for me, but with your behavior.


Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 332

Visitor of a See (II)

Quote from Letter 5,14 to the clergy of the church of Capua, who lived in Naples. November 594


Since Festus, bishop of the church of Capua, has departed from this life while staying here, it has been our concern to solemnly delegate the visitation of the destitute church to our brother and fellow-bishop, Gaudentius, bishop of the city of Nola (...). Let no one of you dare to oppose his injunctions, but as much with all ecclesiastical reverence as with guardianship of your church, show obedience to his provisions also, so that, while your obedience is accommodated to his rule, the prosperity of your church may be in no way neglected and your care for him may be more willing.


Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 331