Quote from Letter 4,26 to Januarius, bishop of Cagliari. May 594.
Tt has also come to our attention that some who have lapsed from sacred orders are being recalled to the office of their ministry, either after doing penance, or before it. We have totally forbidden this, and in this matter the most sacred canons also declare against this practice.
Therefore, whoever has received a sacred order and has lapsed in carnal sin, must forfeit his sacred order so as to never again approach the ministry of the altar. But so that those who have been ordained should never be lost to the Church, care should be taken as to what sort of people are ordained, so that the first consideration is whether their life was continent over a great many years, and whether they had a passion for prayer and bible reading and a love of almsgiving. An enquiry should also be made in case one of them was perhaps married twice. Care should also be taken that he is not illiterate, and that he is not liable to state service, and forced to return to public employment after taking orders.
And so let your Fraternity carefully inquire into all of these matters.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 307
Showing posts with label canon law. Show all posts
Showing posts with label canon law. Show all posts
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Pastoral Circumspection
Quote from Letter 4,22 to Constantius, bishop of Milan. May 594
Summon our aforesaid brother [Venantius] to you and force all the clerics and other religious people of the city named above [Luni] and all of its territory, to come to you, all whose sins are under suspicion. Carefully inquire into everything in accordance with God, on account of the fear of future judgment. If you find that anyone has abandoned the statutes of the canon laws, correct him with a canonical punishment. do not allow those who fail to show in their morality what they show off in their attire, to roam about any longer in your areas while in danger. With your pastoral circumspection, you must bring them back to the straight and narrow.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 303
Summon our aforesaid brother [Venantius] to you and force all the clerics and other religious people of the city named above [Luni] and all of its territory, to come to you, all whose sins are under suspicion. Carefully inquire into everything in accordance with God, on account of the fear of future judgment. If you find that anyone has abandoned the statutes of the canon laws, correct him with a canonical punishment. do not allow those who fail to show in their morality what they show off in their attire, to roam about any longer in your areas while in danger. With your pastoral circumspection, you must bring them back to the straight and narrow.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 303
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
An Angry Pope
Letter 4,20 - to Maximus, a pretender in Salona. April 594
Although other aspects of someone's life may have such merit that there is nothing that might prevent him from priestly promotions, yet the sin of bribery on its own is condemned by the most severe punishment of canon laws. And so we have learnt that, by a false or pretended command of our most pious emperor, while you were being unworthy in your way of life, you forced your way into the office of bishop, a highly venerated rank. We believed this then without any hesitation. For we are well aware of your way of life and your age, and furthermore, we are not ignorant of the mind of our most serene Lordship and emperor, knowing that he does not usually involve himself in the cases of bishops, so as not to be burdened in any way by doing us wrong.
Added to this is an unheard of sin. For even after our interdiction that was made pursuant to the excommunication of you and those consecrating you, you were led before the public by a military troop, it is said, after priests, deacons and other clergy had been killed. We can in no way call this a consecration, as men were conducting it who had been excommunicated.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 302
Although other aspects of someone's life may have such merit that there is nothing that might prevent him from priestly promotions, yet the sin of bribery on its own is condemned by the most severe punishment of canon laws. And so we have learnt that, by a false or pretended command of our most pious emperor, while you were being unworthy in your way of life, you forced your way into the office of bishop, a highly venerated rank. We believed this then without any hesitation. For we are well aware of your way of life and your age, and furthermore, we are not ignorant of the mind of our most serene Lordship and emperor, knowing that he does not usually involve himself in the cases of bishops, so as not to be burdened in any way by doing us wrong.
Added to this is an unheard of sin. For even after our interdiction that was made pursuant to the excommunication of you and those consecrating you, you were led before the public by a military troop, it is said, after priests, deacons and other clergy had been killed. We can in no way call this a consecration, as men were conducting it who had been excommunicated.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 302
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Letter 14,13 - to Crementius, primate and bishop of Bizacium. October 593
Our aforesaid brother Quitianus seized an opportunity in this matter, he claims, and consecrated another man as priest there, in his place. We therefore exhort your Fraternity to inquire into his case with careful concern. And if you find that he was absent from his church quite clearly because of the illness, as is argued, you should not allow any prejudice to be created against him through the ordination of another priest. But see that he is restored to his position without any hesitation.
But is the matter is said to differ from the apparent content of the suggestion he offered, inquire into the same man's case according to the law and the canons. Whatever you decide on in accordance with God, take care with the Lord's help to make a decision so that no question about this matter reverts to us any more.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I:297
Our aforesaid brother Quitianus seized an opportunity in this matter, he claims, and consecrated another man as priest there, in his place. We therefore exhort your Fraternity to inquire into his case with careful concern. And if you find that he was absent from his church quite clearly because of the illness, as is argued, you should not allow any prejudice to be created against him through the ordination of another priest. But see that he is restored to his position without any hesitation.
But is the matter is said to differ from the apparent content of the suggestion he offered, inquire into the same man's case according to the law and the canons. Whatever you decide on in accordance with God, take care with the Lord's help to make a decision so that no question about this matter reverts to us any more.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I:297
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Justice Must Be
Letter 3,53 - to Maximian, bishop of Syracuse. July 593
"After punishment has been inflicted by canon law on the one-time Bishop Agatho, in accordance with the nature of his excesses, it is necessary from the point-of-view of humanity to decide how he can be supported. For that reason let your Fraternity quickly make arrangements at the church of Lipardi, in which the above-mentioned Agatho held the office of bishop, and then for the present hand over forty gold coins to him, which can provide for his sustenance."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 272.
"After punishment has been inflicted by canon law on the one-time Bishop Agatho, in accordance with the nature of his excesses, it is necessary from the point-of-view of humanity to decide how he can be supported. For that reason let your Fraternity quickly make arrangements at the church of Lipardi, in which the above-mentioned Agatho held the office of bishop, and then for the present hand over forty gold coins to him, which can provide for his sustenance."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 272.
Thursday, 14 April 2011
Unjust Excile
Letter 3,9 - to his sub-deacon, Antoninus. October 592
"The news has reached us that Florentius, bishop of the city of Epidaurus, after his goods had first been removed, has been condemned for some unproved charges, without a sacerdotal council. Since he ought not to endure a canonical punishment, as in his condemnation a canonical opinion was put forward, we instruct your Experience to threaten Natalis, our brother and fellow-bishop, so that he has the aforesaid man brought back from the same exile in which he is said to be immured at present."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 243.
"The news has reached us that Florentius, bishop of the city of Epidaurus, after his goods had first been removed, has been condemned for some unproved charges, without a sacerdotal council. Since he ought not to endure a canonical punishment, as in his condemnation a canonical opinion was put forward, we instruct your Experience to threaten Natalis, our brother and fellow-bishop, so that he has the aforesaid man brought back from the same exile in which he is said to be immured at present."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 243.
Monday, 28 March 2011
An Episcopal Debate
Letter 3,8 - to Natalis, archbishop of Salona, that his bishop should not be deposed. October 592
"Since therefore a unanimous opinion of priests cannot demote anyone from the rank of bishop, except for just reasons, we exhort your Fraternity to bring about the restoration of the aforesaid man from the same exile to which he was forced, and to inquire into his case with an episcopal debate. And if he is convicted by canonical proof over these matters for which he has been accused, then he should be inflicted without doubt with canonical punishment. But if it is found by a synodical inquiry other than was thought about him, it is necessary both that his accusers should dread the strictness of the just law, and that the judgement of their innocence should be preserved undiminished for those who have been accused."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 242.
"Since therefore a unanimous opinion of priests cannot demote anyone from the rank of bishop, except for just reasons, we exhort your Fraternity to bring about the restoration of the aforesaid man from the same exile to which he was forced, and to inquire into his case with an episcopal debate. And if he is convicted by canonical proof over these matters for which he has been accused, then he should be inflicted without doubt with canonical punishment. But if it is found by a synodical inquiry other than was thought about him, it is necessary both that his accusers should dread the strictness of the just law, and that the judgement of their innocence should be preserved undiminished for those who have been accused."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 242.
Monday, 17 January 2011
Bishop Of Two Churches
Letter 2,37 - to Bishop Benetatus. July 592
"Because therefore the bishop of the Castrum of Cumae has completed the course of his life, know that we have united each church [i.c. of Cumae and Misenum] with the page of this authority here present, and have entrusted it to you, and know that you are the official bishop for both churches.
And whatever you see fit to ordain and settle concerning their patrimony or ordination of clergy or promotion according to the statutes of canon law, you will have a free license with the agreement and permission of our authority as truly their own bishop.
But live where you will find it most suitable and useful, in such a way of course that you look after the other church, from which you are absent in body at the time, with concern and with providential care, so that the holy mysteries are solemnly celebrated there, with the Lord's help."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 214.
"Because therefore the bishop of the Castrum of Cumae has completed the course of his life, know that we have united each church [i.c. of Cumae and Misenum] with the page of this authority here present, and have entrusted it to you, and know that you are the official bishop for both churches.
And whatever you see fit to ordain and settle concerning their patrimony or ordination of clergy or promotion according to the statutes of canon law, you will have a free license with the agreement and permission of our authority as truly their own bishop.
But live where you will find it most suitable and useful, in such a way of course that you look after the other church, from which you are absent in body at the time, with concern and with providential care, so that the holy mysteries are solemnly celebrated there, with the Lord's help."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 214.
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Chistian Way Of Life
Letter 2,35 - to Felix, bishop of Agropoli, visitor of the province of Lucania. July 592
"We warn you of this before all else, that whenever in the above-mentioned churches or in their dioceses, either deacons or other religious persons are found, you will take care that they are living strictly and according to canon law in every way.
They are not to have the freedom to transgress indiscriminately in any matter. But let them through your control and forethought, perservere in their present Christian way of life and dress, and know that, if anything is undertaken badly by them, it must be charged totally to your neglect."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 213.
"We warn you of this before all else, that whenever in the above-mentioned churches or in their dioceses, either deacons or other religious persons are found, you will take care that they are living strictly and according to canon law in every way.
They are not to have the freedom to transgress indiscriminately in any matter. But let them through your control and forethought, perservere in their present Christian way of life and dress, and know that, if anything is undertaken badly by them, it must be charged totally to your neglect."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 213.
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Discretion But..
Letter 1,82 - to Hilary, notary of Africa. August 591.
"Felicissimus and Vincent, deacons of the church of Lamigenum, presenting a petition that can be seen below, suggested that they had suffered a serious injustice at the hands of Argentius, bishop of the same city. In return for bribes, they said, Donastists had been put above them in their churches, and they recalled that among other wrongdoings, the bishop had committed another, serious crime, which it would be wrong to mention.
For the reason we thought that with the letter bearing this instruction, we should enjoin your Experience to commit the aforesaid bishop to a suitable pledge without delay.
Through your initiative a council should be formed according to the local custom and, with a thorough investigation, all things should be looked into, in line with the text of the petition presented, according to canon law and before both parties Whatever is decided by their judgement should be carried out in every detail, with you seeing it through."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 192.
"Felicissimus and Vincent, deacons of the church of Lamigenum, presenting a petition that can be seen below, suggested that they had suffered a serious injustice at the hands of Argentius, bishop of the same city. In return for bribes, they said, Donastists had been put above them in their churches, and they recalled that among other wrongdoings, the bishop had committed another, serious crime, which it would be wrong to mention.
For the reason we thought that with the letter bearing this instruction, we should enjoin your Experience to commit the aforesaid bishop to a suitable pledge without delay.
Through your initiative a council should be formed according to the local custom and, with a thorough investigation, all things should be looked into, in line with the text of the petition presented, according to canon law and before both parties Whatever is decided by their judgement should be carried out in every detail, with you seeing it through."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 192.
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