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
Showing posts with label justice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label justice. Show all posts
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Saturday, 19 March 2011
Doing Justice
Letter 3,6 - to John, bishop op Prima Justiniana. October 592
"But as for what concerns us at present, when the decrees of your aforementioned sentence have first been made null and void, we decree by the authority of Saint Peter, the prince of the apostles, that you be deprived of Holy Communion for a period of thirty days, and that you must pray to our almighty God with the greatest amount of penitence and tears for pardon for such great sinfulness.
But if we should learn that you have been too slow to carry out this sentence of ours, realize that not only the injustice of your Fraternity, but your insolence also must then be punished more severely, with the help of our Lord.
But we order that Hadrian, mentioned above, our brother and fellow-bishop, condemned through your sentence, as we have said, with no support at all from the Church canons or the laws, be restored to his proper place and rank, with Christ at his side.
Thus your Fraternity's sentence, proposed contrary to the path of justice, may not do him any harm, and the love you need to placate the indignation of our future Judge may not remain impure"
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 239.
"But as for what concerns us at present, when the decrees of your aforementioned sentence have first been made null and void, we decree by the authority of Saint Peter, the prince of the apostles, that you be deprived of Holy Communion for a period of thirty days, and that you must pray to our almighty God with the greatest amount of penitence and tears for pardon for such great sinfulness.
But if we should learn that you have been too slow to carry out this sentence of ours, realize that not only the injustice of your Fraternity, but your insolence also must then be punished more severely, with the help of our Lord.
But we order that Hadrian, mentioned above, our brother and fellow-bishop, condemned through your sentence, as we have said, with no support at all from the Church canons or the laws, be restored to his proper place and rank, with Christ at his side.
Thus your Fraternity's sentence, proposed contrary to the path of justice, may not do him any harm, and the love you need to placate the indignation of our future Judge may not remain impure"
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 239.
Sunday, 12 December 2010
The Case of Honoratus
Letter 2,19 - to Sub-deacon Antonius. March 592.
"And so once Honoratus has been reappointed archdeacon, the above mentioned bishop [Natalis], compelled by you, should send a person to us with instructions, who with allegations of proof could show me that his intention is or was just.
But we also order the same archdeacon to come to us, so that we can decide whichever is just, whichever pleases almighty God, once we know the assertions of each party. For we do not defend anyone because of personal affection, but preserve the rule of justice, with God's authority, disregarding our acceptance of any individual.
You will however take care to entrust Malchus, our brother and fellow-bishop, to a person providing surety, so that he can come to us as quickly as possible, and putting aside all delay and postponement, can give and account of his actions and then return home with full security."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 204 .
"And so once Honoratus has been reappointed archdeacon, the above mentioned bishop [Natalis], compelled by you, should send a person to us with instructions, who with allegations of proof could show me that his intention is or was just.
But we also order the same archdeacon to come to us, so that we can decide whichever is just, whichever pleases almighty God, once we know the assertions of each party. For we do not defend anyone because of personal affection, but preserve the rule of justice, with God's authority, disregarding our acceptance of any individual.
You will however take care to entrust Malchus, our brother and fellow-bishop, to a person providing surety, so that he can come to us as quickly as possible, and putting aside all delay and postponement, can give and account of his actions and then return home with full security."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 204 .
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Give Help
Letter 1,69 - to Sub-deacon Peter. August 591.
"We ought to provide assistance with kindly intent, as far as reason permits, for those in need, with the help of our recommendation. For that reason we thought that Cyriacus and his wife, Joanna, bearers of this letter, should be recommended by our instruction to your Experience, so that you do not allow them to be oppressed and burdened by anybody, contrary to what is just. Rather, when it is necessary, let them enjoy your consolation, with the approval of justice, so that they may rejoice that our recommendation aids them in all ways, with your support, and equity is preserved."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 183.
"We ought to provide assistance with kindly intent, as far as reason permits, for those in need, with the help of our recommendation. For that reason we thought that Cyriacus and his wife, Joanna, bearers of this letter, should be recommended by our instruction to your Experience, so that you do not allow them to be oppressed and burdened by anybody, contrary to what is just. Rather, when it is necessary, let them enjoy your consolation, with the approval of justice, so that they may rejoice that our recommendation aids them in all ways, with your support, and equity is preserved."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 183.
Sunday, 19 September 2010
Justice Must Be
Letter 1,63 - to Sub-deacon Anthelm. July 591.
"And since we have been informed that some time ago the house of Petronius, a secretary of the holy Roman Church, over which we preside with God's authority, was claimed unreasonably by Constantius, a defender of that time, so we demand you Experience, by this letter's order, to avoid any excuse or delay and to lay aside the title, without delay restoring the same house to the bearer of this letter, Theodora, widow of the aforesaid Petronius, in case disadvantage should arise for widows (God forbid!), from where they ought to find the comfort of consolation."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 181.
"And since we have been informed that some time ago the house of Petronius, a secretary of the holy Roman Church, over which we preside with God's authority, was claimed unreasonably by Constantius, a defender of that time, so we demand you Experience, by this letter's order, to avoid any excuse or delay and to lay aside the title, without delay restoring the same house to the bearer of this letter, Theodora, widow of the aforesaid Petronius, in case disadvantage should arise for widows (God forbid!), from where they ought to find the comfort of consolation."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 181.
Saturday, 18 September 2010
Protection 3/3
Letter 1,62 - to Januarius, archbishop of Cagliari in Sardina. July 591.
"(I)t has been suggested to us that Catella, a religious woman, (whose son is fighting here for the Holy Church of Rome over which we preside, with God's authority), is being troubled by the forced entries and disturbances of certain men, so we have thought it necessary concerning this matter to encourage your Fraternity with the present letter to provide protection for the same aforesaid woman.
To preserve justice, your Fraternity should not decline, knowing that from deeds of this sort it may both make the Lord its debtor and bind our love around it more tightly.
For we want the cases of the aforesaid women, whether they are active now or in the future, to be terminated by your judgment, so that her legal disturbance should be removed. Yet she should in no way be denied the justice of a judgement.
But I pray the Lord to direct your path towards him with a prosperous course, and once appeased, to lead you himself to the glory of the coming kingdom."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 180.
"(I)t has been suggested to us that Catella, a religious woman, (whose son is fighting here for the Holy Church of Rome over which we preside, with God's authority), is being troubled by the forced entries and disturbances of certain men, so we have thought it necessary concerning this matter to encourage your Fraternity with the present letter to provide protection for the same aforesaid woman.
To preserve justice, your Fraternity should not decline, knowing that from deeds of this sort it may both make the Lord its debtor and bind our love around it more tightly.
For we want the cases of the aforesaid women, whether they are active now or in the future, to be terminated by your judgment, so that her legal disturbance should be removed. Yet she should in no way be denied the justice of a judgement.
But I pray the Lord to direct your path towards him with a prosperous course, and once appeased, to lead you himself to the glory of the coming kingdom."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 180.
Protection, 2/3
Letter 1,61 - to Januarius, archbishop of Cagliari in Sardinia. July 591
"Although your Fraternity devotes yourself quite appropriately to justice with enthusiasm, for the defense of all sorts of people, we believe that you are more ready certainly to relieve those people who are commended to you by our letter.
Pompeiana therefore, a religious woman, has suggested through a person of hers that she is continually suffering many troubles from certain people, without any reason, and she is known to have begged us to commend her to you by our authority because of this.
For that reason, while saluting your Fraternity with a due feeling of love, we have necessarily thought that the aforesaid women should be commended to you. This, with the accompaniment of justice, your Fraternity might prevent her from being unfairly burdened in any way, or from inadvisably suffering any losses."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 180.
"Although your Fraternity devotes yourself quite appropriately to justice with enthusiasm, for the defense of all sorts of people, we believe that you are more ready certainly to relieve those people who are commended to you by our letter.
Pompeiana therefore, a religious woman, has suggested through a person of hers that she is continually suffering many troubles from certain people, without any reason, and she is known to have begged us to commend her to you by our authority because of this.
For that reason, while saluting your Fraternity with a due feeling of love, we have necessarily thought that the aforesaid women should be commended to you. This, with the accompaniment of justice, your Fraternity might prevent her from being unfairly burdened in any way, or from inadvisably suffering any losses."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 180.
Saturday, 11 September 2010
The Order Of The Republic
Letter 1,59 - to Gennadius, patrician and exarch of Africa. July 591.
"The submission of the enemy's neck bears witness to the fact that you have the fear of God before your eyes and pursue justice incessantly. But so that the grace of Christ protects your Glory with the same prosperity, whatever wrongdoings you know are being committed, check them with a swift prohibition, in your customary manner. Thus protected by the armor of justice, you may overcome the enemy's attacks with the virtue of faith, all the sooner.
For Marinianus, our brother and fellow bishop of the city of Porto Torres, has informed us tearfully that the poor of his city are totally distraught and badly hit by the costs of commodities. Furthermore even religious members of his church are enduring heavy molestation and suffering injuries at the hands of the men of Theodore, their military commander. It has reached such a point, he says, that they are being thrown into prison, dreadful to relate. Even in cases concerning his church, he is being seriously impeded himself by the aforesaid glorious gentleman.
If these facts are really true, you know how contrary they are to the law and order of the republic. And since it is proper for your Excellency to rectify all of these abuses, I salute your Eminence and request you not to let it happen any longer."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 178.
"The submission of the enemy's neck bears witness to the fact that you have the fear of God before your eyes and pursue justice incessantly. But so that the grace of Christ protects your Glory with the same prosperity, whatever wrongdoings you know are being committed, check them with a swift prohibition, in your customary manner. Thus protected by the armor of justice, you may overcome the enemy's attacks with the virtue of faith, all the sooner.
For Marinianus, our brother and fellow bishop of the city of Porto Torres, has informed us tearfully that the poor of his city are totally distraught and badly hit by the costs of commodities. Furthermore even religious members of his church are enduring heavy molestation and suffering injuries at the hands of the men of Theodore, their military commander. It has reached such a point, he says, that they are being thrown into prison, dreadful to relate. Even in cases concerning his church, he is being seriously impeded himself by the aforesaid glorious gentleman.
If these facts are really true, you know how contrary they are to the law and order of the republic. And since it is proper for your Excellency to rectify all of these abuses, I salute your Eminence and request you not to let it happen any longer."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 178.
Friday, 3 September 2010
A Plea For Merciful Justice
Letter 1,53 - to Sub-deacon Anthelm. July 591.
"I remember having warned you quite often not only with frequent injunctions, but also face to face, to administer our office there not so much for the sake of Church interests as for alleviating the needs of the poor, and more for protecting them against th oppression of whoever it may be.
(...) It is harsh that some who buy their freedom for the due price are reduced to slavery once more by the Church, that should have protected them against it. And so we find it necessary to advice your Experience again and again that if some questions arise there between poor people and the holy Roman Church, you must discuss them with total integrity of mind, and pursue the interests of the patrimony in such a way that you do not withdraw from merciful justice."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 175.
"I remember having warned you quite often not only with frequent injunctions, but also face to face, to administer our office there not so much for the sake of Church interests as for alleviating the needs of the poor, and more for protecting them against th oppression of whoever it may be.
(...) It is harsh that some who buy their freedom for the due price are reduced to slavery once more by the Church, that should have protected them against it. And so we find it necessary to advice your Experience again and again that if some questions arise there between poor people and the holy Roman Church, you must discuss them with total integrity of mind, and pursue the interests of the patrimony in such a way that you do not withdraw from merciful justice."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 175.
Saturday, 14 August 2010
In The Light Of Day
Letter 1,46 - to Theodore, duke of Sardina. June 591.
"The justice that you bear in your mind you ought to demonstrate before people with the light of your works.
For Juliana, abbess of the convent of Saint Vitus, which Vitula, of worthy memory, once constructed, has suggested to us that the legal possession of the aforesaid convent is being held by Donatus, an official of yours. While this gentleman sees that he is surrounded by the protection of your Excellency, he does not deign to submit to being examined in court.
But now your Glory must order this same official to appear before a court of arbitration, with the aforesaid nun, so that whatever is decided by the verdict of the judges over such a dispute as theirs, may be put into effect.
In this way whatever he sees himself either losing or retaining, it must be ascribed to the justice of law and not to an act of man."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 172.
"The justice that you bear in your mind you ought to demonstrate before people with the light of your works.
For Juliana, abbess of the convent of Saint Vitus, which Vitula, of worthy memory, once constructed, has suggested to us that the legal possession of the aforesaid convent is being held by Donatus, an official of yours. While this gentleman sees that he is surrounded by the protection of your Excellency, he does not deign to submit to being examined in court.
But now your Glory must order this same official to appear before a court of arbitration, with the aforesaid nun, so that whatever is decided by the verdict of the judges over such a dispute as theirs, may be put into effect.
In this way whatever he sees himself either losing or retaining, it must be ascribed to the justice of law and not to an act of man."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 172.
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Spice Your Humility
Letter 1,38a - to sub-deacon Peter. 16 March 591.
"(I)f you see anything that can justly comply with Church law, be careful in case you are ever keen to protect it with force, especially as I have also issues a decree with anathema added to it, that our Church should never place titles on estates in the city of in the countryside.. But whatever supports the poor with reason, should be defended with reason, so that, when something good is not being done well, what we justly complain about, even before almighty God, is not unjustly refuted.
However the noble laymen and the glorious praetor should love you for your humility, and not shrink from you due to your arrogance.
And yet when you realize that those men are perhaps doing unjust deeds against any destitute people, then turn your humility into pride at once, and always when they behave badly. But act in such a way that your humility is not remiss, nor your authority rigid, so that rectitude adds spice to your humility and your humility adds sweetness to your very rectitude."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 157.
"(I)f you see anything that can justly comply with Church law, be careful in case you are ever keen to protect it with force, especially as I have also issues a decree with anathema added to it, that our Church should never place titles on estates in the city of in the countryside.. But whatever supports the poor with reason, should be defended with reason, so that, when something good is not being done well, what we justly complain about, even before almighty God, is not unjustly refuted.
However the noble laymen and the glorious praetor should love you for your humility, and not shrink from you due to your arrogance.
And yet when you realize that those men are perhaps doing unjust deeds against any destitute people, then turn your humility into pride at once, and always when they behave badly. But act in such a way that your humility is not remiss, nor your authority rigid, so that rectitude adds spice to your humility and your humility adds sweetness to your very rectitude."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 157.
Friday, 11 June 2010
Support and Certainty
Letter 1,35 - to John, bishop of Ravenna. March 591.
"If we are attentive to the promise of out order, and to the office that we administer, we should help those afflicted as far as we can, with the support of justice.
And so, since we have learnt that the splendid gentleman and ex-prefect, Maurilio, is residing in Fossa Sconii, I want your Fraternity to help him at once, as far as possible.
Not because we have any doubt, Heaven forbid, about the justice of that most excellent gentleman, the prefect Lord George, or think that he is in some way turning from the path of reason, a man whom we have got to know in all good ways, even before the administration of this high office."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 155.
"If we are attentive to the promise of out order, and to the office that we administer, we should help those afflicted as far as we can, with the support of justice.
And so, since we have learnt that the splendid gentleman and ex-prefect, Maurilio, is residing in Fossa Sconii, I want your Fraternity to help him at once, as far as possible.
Not because we have any doubt, Heaven forbid, about the justice of that most excellent gentleman, the prefect Lord George, or think that he is in some way turning from the path of reason, a man whom we have got to know in all good ways, even before the administration of this high office."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 155.
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