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

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.

Obedience And Safety

Letter 2,47 - to all the troops in Naples. September 591-August 592

"We have learnt just now that your Devotion actus thus, complying with our letter in which we appointed that magnificent man, the tribune Constantius, to be in charge of the city's garrison, thus demonstrating the obedience which befits military devotion.
For that reason we have taken care to advise you with the present letter that you ought to show total obedience to the aforesaid magnificent man and tribune, as you have done so far, for the interest of our most serene Lordship and for keeping the city safe."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 227.

A Fair Warning

Letter 2,10 - to the clergy, senate and people living in Nepi. Januari 592.

"We advise your Beloved with the present letter that you should show obedience to him [Leontius] in every way, nor should anyone among you think that he may be scorned, since he handles things for your advantage.
For anyone who opposes his harmonious arrangements is considered to be resisting our command. Yet whoever listens to him in these matters mentioned above, will be listening to us. But if anyone thinks that he may be scorned after this warming of ours, which we do not think likely, he should know that it would most certainly place him in danger."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 199.