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.
Showing posts with label election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label election. Show all posts
Sunday, 7 August 2011
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.
Saturday, 11 June 2011
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.
"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.
Monday, 23 May 2011
A Fair Election Of A Bishop
Letter 3,22 - to Antoninus, sub-deacon in charge of the patrimony in Dalmatia. March 593
"In fact let it be your concern before all else, that in this election the offer of bribes does not intervene in any way, and that the candidatures are not strengthened by any patronage of any persons at all. For if someone has been elected of certain people, once he has been consecrated, he is forced to obey their wishes under the pressure of fear, and it comes about that the property of that church is diminished, and the ecclesiastical order is not preserved.
And so they ought to elect such a person, with you watching over them, as is not a slave to anyone's inconsistent wish, but can be found worthy of such a rank, distinguished in his life and morality.
As for the property and decoration of that same church, make sure that a faithful inventory of the property is written down in your presence. And so that nothing could be lost from this same property, advise the Deacon Respectus, and the first notary, Stephen, to keep a total guard of the same property, warning them that if anything should be removed from them through negligence, they will make it up from their own property."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 249.
"In fact let it be your concern before all else, that in this election the offer of bribes does not intervene in any way, and that the candidatures are not strengthened by any patronage of any persons at all. For if someone has been elected of certain people, once he has been consecrated, he is forced to obey their wishes under the pressure of fear, and it comes about that the property of that church is diminished, and the ecclesiastical order is not preserved.
And so they ought to elect such a person, with you watching over them, as is not a slave to anyone's inconsistent wish, but can be found worthy of such a rank, distinguished in his life and morality.
As for the property and decoration of that same church, make sure that a faithful inventory of the property is written down in your presence. And so that nothing could be lost from this same property, advise the Deacon Respectus, and the first notary, Stephen, to keep a total guard of the same property, warning them that if anything should be removed from them through negligence, they will make it up from their own property."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 249.
Monday, 25 April 2011
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.
"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.
Saturday, 11 September 2010
You Choose, I Choose Better
Letter 1,56 - to Duke Arsicinus, the clergy, the senate and the people of Rimini. July 591
"We advise your Charity with this present letter that nobody ought to tire himself out before us over the person of Ocleantinus [a bishop-elect]. But if someone is found in that same city capable of this office [of bishop], to the extent that we could no fault in him, let your election follow accordingly. However, it nobody is found worthy of this office, we have told the bearer of this letter about the person upon whom equally you should bestow your decision.
But you must pray unanimously and faithfully that whoever is consecrated bishop, can both become useful to you and can show a priestly service worthy of our God."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 177.
"We advise your Charity with this present letter that nobody ought to tire himself out before us over the person of Ocleantinus [a bishop-elect]. But if someone is found in that same city capable of this office [of bishop], to the extent that we could no fault in him, let your election follow accordingly. However, it nobody is found worthy of this office, we have told the bearer of this letter about the person upon whom equally you should bestow your decision.
But you must pray unanimously and faithfully that whoever is consecrated bishop, can both become useful to you and can show a priestly service worthy of our God."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 177.
Monday, 6 September 2010
Election
Letter 1,55 - to Bishop Severus. July 591
"A letter from your Fraternity has informed us that some of you have agreed on the election of Ocleantinus as bishop. But, as we do not accept him, they ought not to waste tim on this person. But proclaim to the inhabitants of that same city that, if they find someone in the same church who is worthy of that office, they should all change their minds and elect him. Otherwise the bearer of this letter will indicate a person whom we have discussed with him, and a decree should be made over his election.
As for you, be wise and concerned in your visitation of the same church, so that its property is preserved undiminished, and its services are carried out in the usual manner under your guidance."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 177.
"A letter from your Fraternity has informed us that some of you have agreed on the election of Ocleantinus as bishop. But, as we do not accept him, they ought not to waste tim on this person. But proclaim to the inhabitants of that same city that, if they find someone in the same church who is worthy of that office, they should all change their minds and elect him. Otherwise the bearer of this letter will indicate a person whom we have discussed with him, and a decree should be made over his election.
As for you, be wise and concerned in your visitation of the same church, so that its property is preserved undiminished, and its services are carried out in the usual manner under your guidance."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 177.
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