The Way Of The Fathers

Letter 4,7 - to Gennadius, patrician and exarch of Africa. September 593

"And so we impose on you the correction of ecclesiastical cases all the more gladly, as we trust in the pious intent of your mind. For your Excellency should know that news has been brought to us by men coming from parts of Africa, that in the council of Numidia, many things are being committed contrary to the way of the Fathers and the statues of the canons.
And because we could no longer tolerate at all the frequent complaints over these matters, we have committed their investigation to Columbus, our brother and fellow-bishop. His reputation is well known and does not allow us to have any further doubts about his gravity.
For this reason, we greet you with fatherly affection, and ask your Excellency to lend him the strength of your assistance, in all matters that concern Church discipline."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 291.

The True faith

Letter 4,4 - to Theodelinda, queen of the Lombards. September 593

"For we confess, with or conscience as our witness, that nothing has been removed from the faith of that same holy council of Chalcedon, nor anything violated. However, whatever was done at the time of the aforementioned Justinian, was done in such a way that the faith of the council of Chalcedon might be disturbed in no way. However, if anyone presumes to say or to know anything contrary to the faith of the same synod, we condemn this view under the imposition of anathema.
Therefore, since you understand our integrity from the testimony or our conscience, it remains for you never to separate yourself from communion with the Catholic Church. Otherwise so many tears of yours and such great and good works may be wasted, if found alien to the true faith.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 289.

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.