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.

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.

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.