Visitor of a See (II)

Quote from Letter 5,14 to the clergy of the church of Capua, who lived in Naples. November 594


Since Festus, bishop of the church of Capua, has departed from this life while staying here, it has been our concern to solemnly delegate the visitation of the destitute church to our brother and fellow-bishop, Gaudentius, bishop of the city of Nola (...). Let no one of you dare to oppose his injunctions, but as much with all ecclesiastical reverence as with guardianship of your church, show obedience to his provisions also, so that, while your obedience is accommodated to his rule, the prosperity of your church may be in no way neglected and your care for him may be more willing.


Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 331

Visitor of a See

Quote from Letter 5,13 to Gaudentius, bishop of Nola. November 594.

Since Festus, bishop of the church of Capua, has departed from this life while staying in the city of Rome, it has been our concern (a care shown by us over every single church), to send the present letter to your Fraternity, asking you to act as visitor to the above-mentioned church, but in such a way that you allow nobody to presume anything about the promotions of clergy, or income, or ornaments and holy dishes, or whatever might exist in the aforesaid place.


Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 331

Shortage Of Clergy

Quote from Letter 4,42 to Maximian, bishop of Syracuse. August 594

Since he [bishop Bacauda] mentions that he has neither a priest nor deacons, he has asked that they should be sent over to him, Therefore, wherever your Fraternity discovers them, as indicated by the bearer of this letter, send them over there without delay.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 321

Ordination

Quote from Letter 4,39 to clergy, senate and people living in Ortona. August 594.

But know this, that if it is necessary and he can find men worthy of this office, we have given him the license to ordain priests and deacons. Thus, in obedience to the church, a bishop may be sought who has no reason to disagree with the venerable canons and who can be found worthy of such a great ministry.
When he has been requested with the solemnity of a decree, reinforced by the signatures of all, and accompanied by a letter of the visitor, let him com to us for ordination. Before all else, take care that you do not presume to elect a layman, whatever his way of life and merit.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 319

Last Will And Testament

Quote from Letter 4,36 to Maximian, bishop of Syracuse. July 594.

Euplus, the bearer of this letter, tells us that the bishop of Agrigento, Eusanius was his father, and indicates that a great deal of his mother's property had remained at his place. Since he says that the bishop has died intestate, for that reason he asks that the property of his mother should be restored to him, and that he should be allowed to obtain the fortune of his father, the aforesaid bishop.
We charge your Fraternity, in the course of this advice, to take diligent care in investigating this matter. If anything from his mother's property can be found in the aforesaid church, provided there is nothing that could reasonably disqualify the aforesaid Euplus, see this this is restored to him according to his proper share (..). For, it is proved to be entirely contrary to reason and to our proposition, if we should refuse to give anyone satisfaction and to restore those things which legally belong to them.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I:316

Mission

Quote from Letter 4,29 to Januarius, bishop of Cagliari on Sardinia. June 594.

But we have now learnt that, through the lack of priests, some pagans remain there, living like wild animals, still totally ignorant of the worship of God. We exhort your Fraternity therefore to make haste to consecrate a bishop there, according to the old custom, but such a person of course who is apt for this work in his morality and speech, and who would be keen to lead his wandering sheep to the Lord's flock, with pastoral emulation.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 309

Safety

Letter 4,15 - to Cyprian, deacon and defender of Sicily. October 593

It has come to our attention that various priests of Italy have fled for safety to Sicily, and have taken with them a great many precious objects from their churches, and this has almost entirely vanished, as priests either died or were badly dispersed.
Concerned about this matter, we exhort your Beloved to send messages throughout all of Sicily. Wherever you have found sacred dishes and church properties located without proper care, have them collected with maximum strictness. And when they have been brought together and recored with a receipt, deposit them with bishops of individual churches. These bishops should preserve them most securely, with the Lord's help, until a time of peace shall demand them.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 299

Priestly Virtues

Letter 4,1 - to Constantius, bishop of Milan. September 593

"Therefore it is proper for you to respond to their behavior with priestly kindness in all things, and to agree with their needs with holy compassion. If some of these happen to have vices, you should ensure them with timely criticisms, so that your priestly indignation is itself combined also with the virtue of sweetness. Thus you should also be loved by your subjects then, even when you shall be gravely feared.
This approach will also provide your person with great reverence in their judgement. For, just as hasty and repeated fury is despised, even so discrete indignation against faults very often becomes all the more frightening, as it is slow to arise.
But John, our sub-deacon, returning here has reported to us many good things about your Fraternity. Concerning these, we ask almighty God to complete what He himself has begun, so that he may show that you have made progress inwardly and outwardly, now among men and afterwards among the angels."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 287.

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.

A Laudable Election

Letter 3,46 - to the clergy of the church of Salona. July 593.

"In reading again the letter of your Beloved selves, we have learnt that you have elected your archdeacon, Honoratus. Know that this was welcome to us in every way, as you have elected to the rank of bishop a man long since known, with a strict morality. We also approve of this person, which has for some time been well known to us, and we wish to consecrate him as your bishop in accordance with your desire,
In this matter, we advise that you should persist in his election without any ambiguity, nor should any matter turn you away from this person. For just as that laudable election is now approved of, even so, if anyone (Heaven forbid!) should persuade your Beloved to give up your support for him, you will impose trouble on your soul and a stigma of faithlessness on your reputation.
But we have given a warning through Antoninus, our sub-deacon, that those who, without consideration, disagree with the general acceptance of your choice, should be able to agree with you."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 265.

Misbehavior Must be Punished

Letter 3,45 - to John, bishop of Gallipoli. June 593

"From the report that your Fraternity sent to us, it has been found that Andrew, our brother and fellow-bishop, has without doubt had a concubine. But because it is uncertain wether he touched her while appointed to holy orders, you must warn him with a concerned exhortation. It her knows that he had intercourse with her while appointed to holy orders, he should retire from the office he holds and in no way presume to minister it. And if perchance, knowing he is guilty of his affair, he conceals his sin and presumes to minister, he should know that danger threatens his soul from the divine judgement.
But as for the woman from the poor-list whom he had chastised with cudgels, although we do not believe that her death eight month later was a result of that beating, yet because he had her punished in this way contrary to the rule of his vocation, suspend him from celebration of Mass for two months. Thus, at least this disgrace may teach him how he might behave for the future.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 264.

A New Bishop

Letter 3,35 - to Peter, sub-deacon of Campania. May 593

"Thus their own bishop van, with God's authority, be consecrated for that church. For we do not allow it to be without its own bishop any longer. If perhaps they try to put off your recommendation in any way, then exercise ecclesiastical vigor against them. For whoever will not concur in this desire will provide evidence of his own perverseness.
But see that a hundred gold coins and one orphaned young boy of his choice are given to our aforesaid brother and fellow-bishop, Paul in return for his hard work over the same church.
Advise those, however, who will come here on behalf of all, for the election of a bishop, to bring with them all the vestments of the bishop mentioned above, and whatever silver they shall anticipate as necessary, so that the bishop who has been consecrated can have it for his own use. However, be quick to implement all of these things vigorously and strictly, and send over here with all speed those elected from your clergy, as we have said. Thus, as various noblemen from the city of Naples are present here, we can both discuss together with them and deliberate about the bishop's ordination, with the assistance of the Lord."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 258.

Reconciliation

Letter 3,34 - to Peter, sub-deacon of Campania. April 593

"For that reason we instruct your Experience to meet them with a peaceful exhortation, so that if by chance there are any reasons for hatred, you may settle them, reconciling them with affection that is mutual and pleasing to God, so that the bishop contributes what is proper for his sons, and they show what is due to a father."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 258.

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.

To Long For The Eternal City

Letter 3,29 - to the priests, deacons and clergy of the church of Milan. April 593

"And so I honor all of you who are chosen with my prayer that almighty God, who is always prescient of out future acts, may provide you with such a bishop in whose eloquence and morality you can find a pasture for divine exhortation. In his mind let humility shine forth with rectitude, and severity with piety, a man who may show you a path of life not only by his eloquence but also by his way of life, so that by his example your Beloved selves may learn to long for the pleasures of the eternal city.
And so, most beloved sons, be reminded of the severity of our office. In this case of electing a bishop, we persuade each of you not to look for his own profit, neglecting the common good, in case if someone seeks his personal advantage, he may be deceived by a frivolous judgement, because his mind, bound by greed, does not examine the person he should prefer with a free judgement.
So considering what is expedient for all, show the purest obedience always and in all things to him whom divine grave has placed in charge of you. For a bishop once elected ought not to be judged by you any further. But he should be judged with as much subtlety now as afterwards he should not be judged at all. Commit yourselves with all your mind to the consecrated bishop, with God's authority, and thereby serve the almighty Lord, who has placed this man over you."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 254.

Consensus

Letter 3,26 - to Magnus, priest fo the church of Milan. March 593

"So warn your clerics and people not to disagree at all in their election of a bishop, but with total consensus let them elect from themselves such a bishop for consecration whose acts are praiseworthy, and whose character may be welcome to God and to men, in case, if it were done differently, with divided loyalties (Heaven forbid!), a loss might result for Church income."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 252.

A Reprimande

Letter 3,25 - to all the inhabitants of Rimini. March 593

"My dearly beloved sons, if you are willing to pay more careful attention to your sin, you should purge yourselves with constant prayers before God, because you took on your bishop not with devoted minds, nor as his sons.
The lack of peace and annoyances that you inflicted on him have brought him to this extreme, an attack of bodily illness. And yet we learnt nothing about him from those letters that were written to us, but we simply saw that he was debilitated, and for that reason we took care to keep him here."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 251.

Care Of Souls

Letter 3,20 - to Gratiosus, bishop of Mentana. January 593

"We have therefore provided that the care and control of the church of Saint Anthelm (established in the territory of Cures in Samnium) should be entrusted to your Fraternity. It is necessary for this church to be added to yours and to be united with it, so that yo can rightly act as priest of both churches, with God's help. Whatever you decide to arrange concerning its patrimony or the ordination or promotion of its clergy, with vigilant and canonical care, as its own special bishop, you will have a free license from our permission in this letter.
Wherefore, dearest brother, truly mindful of the Lord's commandments, take care in your governance of the people entrusted in you and in winning over their souls, that when placed before the tribunal of the eternal judge, you may exhibit to our same redeemer, in whom you may rejoice, the fruit of good service, that which pertains your reward."


Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 248.

Vacancy of the Bishopric

Letter 3,15 - to Scholasticus, governor of Campania. December 592

"And for that reason we greet you, and exhort your Greatness to convoke the leaders and people of the city, to think about the election of another man, who could be worthy of promotion to the bishopric, with the comfort of Christ. Make this decree solemnly and send it over to this city, and let the ordination take place there finally, with the help of Christ.
But if however you do not find a suitable person about whom you can agree, at least select three upright and wise men, and send them to this city on behalf of the general community, ensuring that all the people agree in the choice of these men. Perhaps coming here, preserved by God's pity, they will find a suitable person to be consecrated as your bishop, without any blame."


Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 246.

Congratulations

Letter 3,14 - to the clergy, senate and people living at Terracina. November 592

"The petition that you presented has revealed the wishes that your Beloved had intimated to us, and we have highly applauded your decision. For we pray that Angellus, our brother and fellow-bishop, approved already for his merits, is incardinated as your bishop. And since an outcome should not be denied to your welcome and praiseworthy petition, and since it should not be held up with a delay, we have decided that Angellus should be incardinated as bishop of your church, by our direct order, in accordance with your desires and request.
Concerning this, I warn your Beloved with a fatherly exhortation that you should be obedient to him in all things."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 246.