Responsibility

Quote from Letter 9.29 to Romanus, defender. October 598

And thus, it is necessary for you to go there without putting it off, so that, mindful of divine judgement and also remembering our admonition, you may be keen to show yourself so efficient and faithful, that you are found not to run the risk of any neglect or (Heaven forbid!) any fraud. But ensure all the more that you can be recommended to divine grace due to your faith and industry.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 564

Help and Support

Quote from Letter 9.28 to Libertinus, ex-praetor. October 598

Thus we greet your Glory, and ask that you might join with him [the bearer of this letter] and give him support in every way. And in case he may perhaps fail to understand some things that are beneficial, due to his newness, instruct him carefully with your counsels and give your attention, as has been your custom, to helping him achieve those things.
And so, while he achieves the tasks imposed on him for his own good with your assistance, you may receive a reward for your goodness, and we may be invited to pray more earnestly for the mercy of almighty God on behalf of your Glory's life.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 564

Primacy of Rome

Quote from Letter 9.27 to John, bishop of Syracuse. October 598

For, in that he says that he is subject to the apostolic see, if any fault is found in bishops, I know not what bishop is not subject to it. But when fault does not demand it, all are equal in accordance with the degree of humility.

However, have a talk with the aforesaid most eloquent Martin, as your Fraternity wants to do, and discuss what he should do. We have replied to him briefly over the case, because we ought not also to believe men unknown to us, over any such accusation.  But  as you see him in person, if you consider that something more definite should be said to him we entrust this to your Charity, as we are certain of your love, by the grace of almighty God. And whatever you do, have no doubt that it was done by us.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 563

Rome and Constantinople

Quote from Letter 9.26 to John, bishop of Syracuse. October 598

For consider what they say about the church of Constantinople, who could doubt that it is subject to the apostolic see? And our most pious Lordship, the emperor, and out brother, bishop of the same city, admit this continually. And yet, if this or another church has some good feature, I myself am prepared to imitate even my inferiors in what is good, while I prohibitt the from illegal acts. For foolish is the man who thinks himself better that others, but refuses to learn from the good qualities that he sees in others.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 561

Pastoral and Legal

Quote from Letter 9.25 to John, bishop of Syracuse. October 589

But because many are said to have succumed to the disgrace of this sin through them, it is right for you to prevent all of those who prove to be clearly guilty from sharing the body and blood of our Lord, and to warn them more strictly in your letters to pay attention to their litanies and prayers, and to wash away with their tears the stain of sin that they have incurred. We leave it to your judgment as to when communion should be restored to them, in accordance with their degree of penitence. But is is necessary for you to consider this, that for those who are in grave danger of dying should not be deneid their holy eucharist.

Take care besides to encourage the clergy and people of the city of Malta to choose a priest to be consecrated bishop for them with the favor of God, since they will not be able to be without a pastor of their own.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 560

Legal Matters

Quote from Letter9.24 to Martin, rhetorician October 598

A plea arising from paltry affairs might nevertheless need quite a full examination, as your Greatness well knows, and so your Wisdom should consider how much care and how much vigilance ought to be used in examining cases that involve bishops. But in the latter that you sent over through the bearer of the present one, you spoke only superfillially, and kept completely silent about the source of the cases which you had been sent over to us by Crementius, our brother and felllow-bishop. If their origin and true nature had been clear to us, we would have at least have sent an open and suitable reply to our aforesaid brother, to confirm him in his decesion over this matter.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 559

Ferm Action Required

Quote from Letter 9.22 to Romanus, defender. October 598

Furthermore, it has been reported to us that a certain Marcian, who assumed the name of defender, has refused to show obedience to our brother and fellow-bishop, John, to whom we had entrusted the care of our patrimony. So look into this, and if it is true, let him be sent overseas in exile, so that he learns he does not go unpunished for having been totally disobedient to the person who administers the services of this Church, from whose honor he assumed a false name for himself. But also, if there are others who happen to be disobedient towards the regulations of our brother mentioned above, you will punish them in every way with a strict penalty.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 558