Quote from Letter 9.139 to Marinianus, bishop of Ravenna. May 599
Therefore, because the careful concern imposed on us for all of the churches forces us not not to allow the flock of the faithful to lack pastoral care any longer, being compelled by their prayers and this bishop's announcement due to his impossible position, we have decided that another bishop should be ordained for that church in Rimini.
After giving them the customary precepts, we have not ceased to encourage the clergy and people of that church to come together for the election of their own bishop, with harmonious forethought.
And so, we exhort your Fraternity to have the man called to you whom they all choose with complete agreement, as they themselves are known to have asked from us. examine him with a careful inquiry in all regards. And if what was punished by death in the text of Eptaticius had not been found at all in him, with the Lords's blessing, and from a report by faithful persons his way of life has also pleased you, send him over to us with the page of a decree, adding a letter as well with your testimony, so that he may be consecrated by us as bishop for the same church, with the Lord's disposition.
Therefore, because the careful concern imposed on us for all of the churches forces us not not to allow the flock of the faithful to lack pastoral care any longer, being compelled by their prayers and this bishop's announcement due to his impossible position, we have decided that another bishop should be ordained for that church in Rimini.
After giving them the customary precepts, we have not ceased to encourage the clergy and people of that church to come together for the election of their own bishop, with harmonious forethought.
And so, we exhort your Fraternity to have the man called to you whom they all choose with complete agreement, as they themselves are known to have asked from us. examine him with a careful inquiry in all regards. And if what was punished by death in the text of Eptaticius had not been found at all in him, with the Lords's blessing, and from a report by faithful persons his way of life has also pleased you, send him over to us with the page of a decree, adding a letter as well with your testimony, so that he may be consecrated by us as bishop for the same church, with the Lord's disposition.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 625.
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