Quote from Letter 6,12 to Montana and Thomas. September 595
Our Redeemer, the source of all creation, was willing to assume human flesh to save us for this end, that by grace of his divinity, breaking the bond of servitude with which we were held captive, he might restore us to our previous freedom. And so, it is a salutary act if human beings, whom nature first bore as free men, but whom the law of nations has subjected to the yoke of slavery, should be restored to that freedom in which they were born through the gift of manumission.
Therefore, moved by regard for piety and through consideration of this matter, from this day we hereby free you, Montana and Thomas, servants of the Holy Roman Church, which we serve with God's authority, and we hereby make you Roman citizens and release to you all of your property.
Our Redeemer, the source of all creation, was willing to assume human flesh to save us for this end, that by grace of his divinity, breaking the bond of servitude with which we were held captive, he might restore us to our previous freedom. And so, it is a salutary act if human beings, whom nature first bore as free men, but whom the law of nations has subjected to the yoke of slavery, should be restored to that freedom in which they were born through the gift of manumission.
Therefore, moved by regard for piety and through consideration of this matter, from this day we hereby free you, Montana and Thomas, servants of the Holy Roman Church, which we serve with God's authority, and we hereby make you Roman citizens and release to you all of your property.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 410
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