Quote from Letter 4,34 to Leo, bishop of Catana. July 594.
From the report of many, we have found that this old custom prevailed among you, that sub-deacons should be allowed to have intercourse with their wives. A deacon of our see, Servusdei, prohibited anyone from presuming to do so again, on the authority of our predecessor. He did so in such a way that, at that time, those who had already had sex with their wives should have one of two choices. That is, they should either abstain from their wives, or definitively not presume to act as ministers at all. And as far as we know, Speciosus, at that time a sub-deacon, suspended himself from his office of administration for this reason, Right up to the time of his death he carried out his office of notary instead, and ceased from the ministry that a sub-deacon ought to have served.
After the death of Speciosus, because his widow Honorata had been associated with a husband, we know that your Fraternity allotted her to a convent. And for that reason, if her husband suspended himself, as is said, from his administrative position, it ought not to harm the aforesaid woman that she had sexual union with a second husband, especially if she was joined to the sub-deacon with no such intention of abstaining from the pleasures of the flesh. And so, if you know that our information is true, it is altogether right that you release the aforesaid woman from the convent, so that she can return to her husband without any fear.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 314
Showing posts with label deacon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label deacon. Show all posts
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Friday, 29 July 2011
Seduction And Punishment
Letter 3.40 - to Pantaleo, notary. June 593
"Evangelus, deacon of the church of Siponto, has complained to us that his daughter (terrible to relate!) has been seduced by Felix. Concerning this matter, it is necessary for you, supported by the authority of this order, to set out for the city of Siponto, and you will take pains to learn the truth with all care, with the support of the learned men there. And if you find that it is so, he must either accept the woman he has seduced as his wife, providing nuptial provisions, or you will be quick to give him corporal punishment in the monastery, and deprive him of communion, placing him in a monastery where he may carry out his penance, so that he has no license to leave that place in any way, unless perhaps you should allow it."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 262.
"Evangelus, deacon of the church of Siponto, has complained to us that his daughter (terrible to relate!) has been seduced by Felix. Concerning this matter, it is necessary for you, supported by the authority of this order, to set out for the city of Siponto, and you will take pains to learn the truth with all care, with the support of the learned men there. And if you find that it is so, he must either accept the woman he has seduced as his wife, providing nuptial provisions, or you will be quick to give him corporal punishment in the monastery, and deprive him of communion, placing him in a monastery where he may carry out his penance, so that he has no license to leave that place in any way, unless perhaps you should allow it."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 262.
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Careful Investigation
Letter 3,38 - to all the bishops of Corinth. May 593
"But since we do not allow those comments to remain not discussed, we have directed a deacon of our see to investigate them. For the nature of the wrongdoing reported to us strongly compels us not to cover up at all what we have heard. Especially when you indicated that the accusers and the accused have come to terms, we have to examine this more carefully, in case their agreement has perhaps been bought. And if it is established (Heaven forbid!) that is resulted not from love but from a payment, this must be punished with a greater correction. For we hasten to remove preceding evils, and we for no reason dismiss a fault recently committed, without punishment."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 260.
"But since we do not allow those comments to remain not discussed, we have directed a deacon of our see to investigate them. For the nature of the wrongdoing reported to us strongly compels us not to cover up at all what we have heard. Especially when you indicated that the accusers and the accused have come to terms, we have to examine this more carefully, in case their agreement has perhaps been bought. And if it is established (Heaven forbid!) that is resulted not from love but from a payment, this must be punished with a greater correction. For we hasten to remove preceding evils, and we for no reason dismiss a fault recently committed, without punishment."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 260.
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Carefully Follow The Rules
Letter 3,30 - to John, sub-deacon. April 593
"With the death, therefore, of Laurence, bishop of the church of Milan, the clergy gave notice in their report to us that they had agreed unanimously in the election of our son Constantius, their deacon. But since the same report was not signed, to prevent us from overlooking anything that concerns security, it is therefore necessary for you to set out for Genoa, supported by the authority of this command. And because many of the inhabitants of Milan have settled there, forced by barbaric savagery, you should call them together and carefully consider their wishes.
And if no discord keeps them from agreement over the election, once you find that the wishes and consensus of all stay firm concerning our son, the above-mentioned Constantius, then you can have him consecrated by the local bishops, as the ancient custom demands, with the assent of our authority and the Lord's solace.
Thus with preservation of this sort of custom, the apostolic see may both retain its proper strength and not diminish its own right by allowing others to share them.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 255.
"With the death, therefore, of Laurence, bishop of the church of Milan, the clergy gave notice in their report to us that they had agreed unanimously in the election of our son Constantius, their deacon. But since the same report was not signed, to prevent us from overlooking anything that concerns security, it is therefore necessary for you to set out for Genoa, supported by the authority of this command. And because many of the inhabitants of Milan have settled there, forced by barbaric savagery, you should call them together and carefully consider their wishes.
And if no discord keeps them from agreement over the election, once you find that the wishes and consensus of all stay firm concerning our son, the above-mentioned Constantius, then you can have him consecrated by the local bishops, as the ancient custom demands, with the assent of our authority and the Lord's solace.
Thus with preservation of this sort of custom, the apostolic see may both retain its proper strength and not diminish its own right by allowing others to share them.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 255.
Sunday, 31 October 2010
In Need Of A Reprimand
Letter 1,81 - to Januarius, archbishop of Cagliari in Sardinia. August 591.
"Liberatus, about whom your Fraternity has spoken to us, and who is said to hold the office of deacon, if he was not incardinated by your predecessor, ought not to be put in charge of the deacons appointed by you for any reason, in case you seem to be critical of those whom you are known to have approved of by consecrating them, by somehow putting them under him.
And so at every instant restrain the aforesaid Liberatus from the depravity of his intention, as a spirit of ambition inspires him and he is in need of a reprimand.
Arrange for him to stand last among the deacons, in case while he strives illegally to put himself above them, he is judged undeserving of the rank which he now holds.
Yet if you were to be attracted by his obedience, and you wanted to incardinate him after this, remember that you must abstain from his incardination, unless he has earned the agreement of his bishop, as is the usual custom."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 192.
"Liberatus, about whom your Fraternity has spoken to us, and who is said to hold the office of deacon, if he was not incardinated by your predecessor, ought not to be put in charge of the deacons appointed by you for any reason, in case you seem to be critical of those whom you are known to have approved of by consecrating them, by somehow putting them under him.
And so at every instant restrain the aforesaid Liberatus from the depravity of his intention, as a spirit of ambition inspires him and he is in need of a reprimand.
Arrange for him to stand last among the deacons, in case while he strives illegally to put himself above them, he is judged undeserving of the rank which he now holds.
Yet if you were to be attracted by his obedience, and you wanted to incardinate him after this, remember that you must abstain from his incardination, unless he has earned the agreement of his bishop, as is the usual custom."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 192.
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Pastoral Care
Letter 1,76 - to Leo, bishop in Corsica. August 591.
"Pastoral care obliges us to help a church bereft of a priest's guidance with concerned care. And since we recognize that the church of Saona has been totally destitute for many years, since the death of its bishop, we have thought that the task of visiting it should be imposed on your Fraternity, as fas as its usefulness can be completed by your arrangements.
And in that church also and its parishes, we grant you the freedom to ordain deacons and priests. But with regard to them, be keen to examine them quite diligently, to ensure that none of them should be rejected by the sacred canons.
But those whom your Fraternity sees as worthy of such great ministry, recognizing their morals and actions as being in accord with this ordination, let it freely promote to the aforesaid office, with the permission of our authority."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 189.
"Pastoral care obliges us to help a church bereft of a priest's guidance with concerned care. And since we recognize that the church of Saona has been totally destitute for many years, since the death of its bishop, we have thought that the task of visiting it should be imposed on your Fraternity, as fas as its usefulness can be completed by your arrangements.
And in that church also and its parishes, we grant you the freedom to ordain deacons and priests. But with regard to them, be keen to examine them quite diligently, to ensure that none of them should be rejected by the sacred canons.
But those whom your Fraternity sees as worthy of such great ministry, recognizing their morals and actions as being in accord with this ordination, let it freely promote to the aforesaid office, with the permission of our authority."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 189.
Sunday, 26 September 2010
The Horror Of Stealing
Letter 1,66 - to Sub-deacon Anthelm. August 591.
"The chief physician Fuscus, provoked by the ardor of his faith, is pouring out prayers in which he says that the deacon Opilio, as well as Servusdei and Crescentius, clerics of the church of Venafro, having forgotten their fear of the coming judgment, have sold holy treasures from the aforesaid church to some Jew, dreadful to relate. This consists of two chalices in silver, two crown lamps on dolphins, and lilies from other lamps, along with six larger and smaller hangings.
For that reason your Experience will soon receive the present order, suggesting that you should make the above-mentioned priests come to you quickly without delay. After you have found out the truth, if it turns out as has been suggested, ensure that the aforesaid Jew, who presumed to buy the sacred treasures, forgetting the force of law, is summoned by the provincial judge, and is compelled to restore the aforesaid holy items without delay. In this way nothing out of them may be lost from the oft-mentioned church.
As for the aforesaid deacon and priests,who committed such a deadly sin, please do not delay in binding them in penitence, so that with their tears they can wash away an offence so evil and so great."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 182.
"The chief physician Fuscus, provoked by the ardor of his faith, is pouring out prayers in which he says that the deacon Opilio, as well as Servusdei and Crescentius, clerics of the church of Venafro, having forgotten their fear of the coming judgment, have sold holy treasures from the aforesaid church to some Jew, dreadful to relate. This consists of two chalices in silver, two crown lamps on dolphins, and lilies from other lamps, along with six larger and smaller hangings.
For that reason your Experience will soon receive the present order, suggesting that you should make the above-mentioned priests come to you quickly without delay. After you have found out the truth, if it turns out as has been suggested, ensure that the aforesaid Jew, who presumed to buy the sacred treasures, forgetting the force of law, is summoned by the provincial judge, and is compelled to restore the aforesaid holy items without delay. In this way nothing out of them may be lost from the oft-mentioned church.
As for the aforesaid deacon and priests,who committed such a deadly sin, please do not delay in binding them in penitence, so that with their tears they can wash away an offence so evil and so great."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 182.
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
An Urge for Concord
Letter 1,10 - to Honoratus, deacon of Salona. November 590.
"We were distressed, for the reason that among you [the deacon and his bishop, AS] charity recognizes nothing. However, we command you to administer in the office of your order, and if the reason for your quarrel can be confined there, with grace in abundance, we believe that your soul has been greatly enriched. But if instead discord has armed the two parties among you in such a way that your will must remain in a ferment of antagonism, present yourself to our audience without delay, and let your bishop send a chosen person on his behalf with instructions, so that after weighing everything with careful reasoning, we may decide what seems right for each of the two parties."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 128.
"We were distressed, for the reason that among you [the deacon and his bishop, AS] charity recognizes nothing. However, we command you to administer in the office of your order, and if the reason for your quarrel can be confined there, with grace in abundance, we believe that your soul has been greatly enriched. But if instead discord has armed the two parties among you in such a way that your will must remain in a ferment of antagonism, present yourself to our audience without delay, and let your bishop send a chosen person on his behalf with instructions, so that after weighing everything with careful reasoning, we may decide what seems right for each of the two parties."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 128.
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