Quote from Letter 1.187 to Constantius, bishop of Milan. July 599
(T)he clergy of the church of Como, whom you warned with priestly concern to revert to the unified Church, have replied that you have not shown them the kind of affection that might convince them to return to it, persuaded by love.
They assert that other parties are retaining various properties of theirs, including a possession called the Aurian villa, which is being kept by our Church. And indeed, we have praised the concern of your Holiness in every way, because you have not neglected at all what you had to do. But we do not allow the aforesaid possession, even if it is legally theirs, to be retained contrary to the dictates of reason, even if perhaps they have putt off returning to communion.
But if they convert to the unity of the church, inspired by God, which we pray for, we are prepared to concede it to them, even if it does nog belong to them.
They assert that other parties are retaining various properties of theirs, including a possession called the Aurian villa, which is being kept by our Church. And indeed, we have praised the concern of your Holiness in every way, because you have not neglected at all what you had to do. But we do not allow the aforesaid possession, even if it is legally theirs, to be retained contrary to the dictates of reason, even if perhaps they have putt off returning to communion.
But if they convert to the unity of the church, inspired by God, which we pray for, we are prepared to concede it to them, even if it does nog belong to them.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II,p. 658.
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