Quote from Letter 7,13 to Fortunatus bishop of Fano. November 596
Since, therefore, we learn from your Fraternity's letter that you have borrowed money for the ransoms [of capitves], and have no way of paying it back, and for this reason want our authority to sell some sacred vessels, in this case, because the decrees of both the laws and the canons support it, we have seen fit to give our consent, and we grant you the freedom to dispose of the sacred vessels.
But in case ther sale could put you in invidious position, they ought to be sold in the presence of our defender, John, for no more that the amount owed, and what they raise sould be paid to your creditors.
Since, therefore, we learn from your Fraternity's letter that you have borrowed money for the ransoms [of capitves], and have no way of paying it back, and for this reason want our authority to sell some sacred vessels, in this case, because the decrees of both the laws and the canons support it, we have seen fit to give our consent, and we grant you the freedom to dispose of the sacred vessels.
But in case ther sale could put you in invidious position, they ought to be sold in the presence of our defender, John, for no more that the amount owed, and what they raise sould be paid to your creditors.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 466
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