Settling a Dispute

Quote from Letter 9.83 to Antony, sub-deacon and Domitian, abbot and the prior equally. December 598-January 599

Just as it is a serious and thoroughly blameworthy matter if a controversy over secular matters should arise between persons serving our almighty Lord and last for a long time, even so it is praiseworthy and well suited to religious zeal to prefer a peace welcome to God to material gains, and from transitory things, to reap the everlasting profits of love.
Thus, with regard to the possessions of Faianum, Nasonianum and Libinianum, located in the province of Sicily and the territory of Palermo, there has been a long drawn-out dispute over them between those in charge of the monastery of Saints Maximus and Agatha, called Lucuscanum, and on the other side, the administrators of a hostelry built in the city of Rome, that is called Valerii. But now agreements have been made and an advantageous decision has come out of it, with God's authority, between you, our sub-deacon, Antony, in charge of the hostelry mentioned above, and on the other side, Domitian, our most beloved son and abbot, and the prior of the aforesaid monastery. 
And so it is necessary that every opportunity for discord should be prevented, and that the intervention of our authority should confirm what has been done.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 593

Damage Control

Quote from Letter 9.80 to Romanus, defender. December 598

(I)f some citizens are implicated in public thefts, we should not be seen to defend them unjustly, so that we might not transfer on to ourselves in any way the reputation for wrong-doing, by daring to defend them so ill-advisedly.
But as far as it is proper for the Church, give advice to assist those whom you can by providing a word of intercession. Thus you may both give help, and not damage the reputation of the Holy Church.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 592

Illness and Recovery

Quote from Letter 9.78 to Azimarchus, secretary. December 589

That the bearer of this letter, our glorious son, Gregory, was late in reaching Sicily was not due to a voluntary delay; but rather, his body had been made so weak through illness that he was barely able to recover, even after many days.
You know for yourself that signs of this debility were already apparent in him. 
However, he soon got well, and did not fail to go there, as he had promised to your Greatness.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 591

Undoing a Wrong

Quote from Letter 9.77 to Fortunatus, bishop of Naples. November-December 598

Therefor, we exhort your Fraternity, as soon as you have received the present letter, to restore the gates to Theodore, a magnificent gentleman and chid officer of the people, and the aquaduct to Rusticus, a most illustrious gentleman and elderly citizen, without any argument. And in this business, do not insert a delay of any excuse, in case you incur blame for indiscretion, if you think what you ought to have done of your own accord should be put off, by suggesting a chance event of some sort.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 590.

A Word of Advice

Quote from Letter 9.81 to Fortunatus, bishop of Naples. December 598

(And) your Charity will quickly go to the aforesaid church [of Misenum], and continually encourage the clerics and congregation of that church to put aside any partiality and agree to appoint a priest to be placed in charge of them, someone found worthy of so great a ministry, who would for no reason be rejected by the venerable canons.
We advise your Fraternity also not to allow any one to be chosen [as bishop] from another church, unless perhaps it might be impossible for anyone to be found worthy of the bishopric among the clergy of that city [of Misenum], in which you are carrying out the office of visitor.
Not that we think that this is likely. Check before all things that lay people do not presume to aspire to the honor of any sort of religious life, and that you do not incur danger to your order, Heaven forbid!

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 593

Concerning a Legacy

Quote from Letter 9.75 to Fantinus, defender. November-December 598

You Experience should know that our notary, Primigenius, has passed from this world, for his sins. He is known to have left as his heirs the holy Roman Church, which we serve with God's authority, and his wife, who afterwards commended herself to the protection of the Church, and also the son of his brother, as an equal heir, accounting for every last cent. For that reason, so that you receive this order at once, before anyone discovers that he has died and permits some fraud over his fortune, you will take care to travel without delay to the place in which his property has been stored. And there, with all concern and diligence, let it be your aim to act with solemnity and precision, in the presence of the boy, Consentius, who is nominated as the guardian of the property, and summon witnesses. 

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 589