Letter 2,7 - to Candidus, bishop of Orvieto. December 591.
"When a bodily apoplexy occurs, whether for purging or for punishment (God's judgement is not recognized in this), we ought not to add affliction on those tormented, in case displeasure over their failing (Heaven forbid!) should fall on us.
The bearer of this letter, Calumniosus, asserts that, because of this seizure that he suffers, those goods customarily given to him by your church are being denied to him. And so we encourage your Fraternity with the present letter, to ensure that this sickness should not impede him at all in receiving what is customary for him, because with very different people in our Church fighting for God, various infirmities often arise, as you well know.
And if they are deterred by this example, you will no longer be able to find anyone to fight for the Church. But in accordance with that place's status, let your Fraternity contemplate divine judgement, and not cease to provide for him as a sick man, with what whatever could by provided for him as a sick man, with what whatever could be provided for him, if healthy, from the church's meager income."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 197.
Friday, 19 November 2010
On Constructing A Church
Letter 2,6 - to Felix, bishop of Messina, on constructing a church. October 5th, 591.
"Januarius, deacon of the church of Messina, has informed us in the notification of a petition, which appears in an appendix, that as a mark of his own devotion, he has founded a basilica in the city of Messina, which he wants to be consecrated in honor of Saints Stephen, Pancras and Euplus.
For that reason, my dearest brother, if this place legally belongs to your city, and it is certain that no corpse is buried there, first of all receive the legitimate donation, that is to say from today, ten gold coins a year free of imperial tribute, and from the rest of his property let him just retain the usufruct.
Inquire carefully into all of this, to see that the amount of that income which is offered, or what he will leave at the time of his death, is sufficient for the repair of buildings, for the lighting, and also for the sustenance of servants, from an annual payment, the generous gift itself being registered with the municipal administration.
But if what we have said is not implemented through your Solicitude, you should not doubt that you or your heirs will satisfy the church' s requirements from your own property, for any difference.
And so with these provisions, let this prayed-for benediction proceed."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 196.
"Januarius, deacon of the church of Messina, has informed us in the notification of a petition, which appears in an appendix, that as a mark of his own devotion, he has founded a basilica in the city of Messina, which he wants to be consecrated in honor of Saints Stephen, Pancras and Euplus.
For that reason, my dearest brother, if this place legally belongs to your city, and it is certain that no corpse is buried there, first of all receive the legitimate donation, that is to say from today, ten gold coins a year free of imperial tribute, and from the rest of his property let him just retain the usufruct.
Inquire carefully into all of this, to see that the amount of that income which is offered, or what he will leave at the time of his death, is sufficient for the repair of buildings, for the lighting, and also for the sustenance of servants, from an annual payment, the generous gift itself being registered with the municipal administration.
But if what we have said is not implemented through your Solicitude, you should not doubt that you or your heirs will satisfy the church' s requirements from your own property, for any difference.
And so with these provisions, let this prayed-for benediction proceed."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 196.
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Delegated Authority
Letter 2,5 - to Maximian, bishop of Syracuse. October 591.
"And so we decree that you, Maximian, a most reverend man, my brother and fellow-bishop, should be in charge of all the
churches in Sicily, representing the apostolic see, so that anyone there rated as clergy should be subject to your Fraternity, on our authority.
Afterwards it would thus not be necessary for them to come to us for trivial reasons, by sailing over such great expanses of sea.
But if perchance difficulties are arising anywhere, which can in no way be settled by a judgment of your Fraternity, let these and these alone demand our judgment, so that when we are freed from minor cases, we can occupy ourselves more effectively in solving major ones."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 196.
"And so we decree that you, Maximian, a most reverend man, my brother and fellow-bishop, should be in charge of all the
churches in Sicily, representing the apostolic see, so that anyone there rated as clergy should be subject to your Fraternity, on our authority.
Afterwards it would thus not be necessary for them to come to us for trivial reasons, by sailing over such great expanses of sea.
But if perchance difficulties are arising anywhere, which can in no way be settled by a judgment of your Fraternity, let these and these alone demand our judgment, so that when we are freed from minor cases, we can occupy ourselves more effectively in solving major ones."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 196.
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Soldiers Preparing For Battle
Letter 2,4 - to Velox, military commander, on the persecution of Ariulf. September 591.
"We certainly told your Glory some time ago that soldiers were ready to go there. But since your letter had signified that enemy troops had collected here also, and were on the move, that was the reason why we kept ours here. But now it seems useful for some soldiers to be transported there, and your Glory should be keen to advise and encourage them to be prepared for hard work.
And if you have a change, have a talk with our glorious sons, Maurice and Vitalian, and do whatever remains for you to do for the good of the Republic, with the help of God. If you learn that the unmentionable Ariulf is escaping, either here or in the region of Ravenna, then take action at his rear in such a way as is fitting for brave men, so that the fame you get from the quality of your hard work may bring greater benefits for the republic, with the help of God."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I:195 .
"We certainly told your Glory some time ago that soldiers were ready to go there. But since your letter had signified that enemy troops had collected here also, and were on the move, that was the reason why we kept ours here. But now it seems useful for some soldiers to be transported there, and your Glory should be keen to advise and encourage them to be prepared for hard work.
And if you have a change, have a talk with our glorious sons, Maurice and Vitalian, and do whatever remains for you to do for the good of the Republic, with the help of God. If you learn that the unmentionable Ariulf is escaping, either here or in the region of Ravenna, then take action at his rear in such a way as is fitting for brave men, so that the fame you get from the quality of your hard work may bring greater benefits for the republic, with the help of God."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I:195 .
A Warning
Letter 2,3 - to the clergy, nobility, senate and people living at Naples. September 591.
"Although the sincere devotion of its spiritual sons towards their mother Church might need no exhortation, nevertheless, to prevent it from thinking that it should be neglected, this devotion ought to be stimulated with an epistolary exhortation.
Because of this I approach your Beloved with a warning of fatherly love, that we should give thanks unanimously to our redeemer with tears in our eyes, as he has not allowed you to go astray under such a corrupt preacher, but has made public the sins of an unworthy priest.
For Demetrius, who had not earned the name of bishop beforehand, has been found to be implicated in business dealings of such magnitude and of such a kind, that if he had been judged without pity, in accordance with the nature of his crimes, he should have been punished without doubt by divine and human laws with an extremely cruel death."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 195.
"Although the sincere devotion of its spiritual sons towards their mother Church might need no exhortation, nevertheless, to prevent it from thinking that it should be neglected, this devotion ought to be stimulated with an epistolary exhortation.
Because of this I approach your Beloved with a warning of fatherly love, that we should give thanks unanimously to our redeemer with tears in our eyes, as he has not allowed you to go astray under such a corrupt preacher, but has made public the sins of an unworthy priest.
For Demetrius, who had not earned the name of bishop beforehand, has been found to be implicated in business dealings of such magnitude and of such a kind, that if he had been judged without pity, in accordance with the nature of his crimes, he should have been punished without doubt by divine and human laws with an extremely cruel death."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 195.
Monday, 8 November 2010
The Threat Of A Deadly Epidemic
Letter 2,2 - to Bishop Praejectus. september 591.
"It has come to our attention that in your city, that is Narni, the sins hanging over it are causing a deadly epidemic everywhere. This matter has been all too distressing for us.
Therefore, in greeting your Fraternity, we persuade you most emphatically not to cease for any reason from admonishing and exhorting those Lombards or Romans who live in that place, and especially the pagans and heretics among them, so as to convert them to the true and righteous Catholic faith.
For in this way maybe either heavenly compassion will help in their conversion even in this life, or if they happen to be carried off, they cross over absolved of their sins, which is even more desirable."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 194.
"It has come to our attention that in your city, that is Narni, the sins hanging over it are causing a deadly epidemic everywhere. This matter has been all too distressing for us.
Therefore, in greeting your Fraternity, we persuade you most emphatically not to cease for any reason from admonishing and exhorting those Lombards or Romans who live in that place, and especially the pagans and heretics among them, so as to convert them to the true and righteous Catholic faith.
For in this way maybe either heavenly compassion will help in their conversion even in this life, or if they happen to be carried off, they cross over absolved of their sins, which is even more desirable."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 194.
A Helping Hand
Letter 2,1 - to Gregory's notary Peter. September 591.
"We have learnt that the monastery of the Holy Archangel which was built at Tropeae, has a shortage of provisions, as is indicated by the bearer of this letter. For that reason, your Experience should keep a careful watch over this matter, and if you find that the monks of the same place are conducting themselves well, and it proves abundantly clear that there are those in need among them, then you will hurry in every way to assist them, supporting by this authority, knowing that whatever you provide at our request is to be charged to your account."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 194.
"We have learnt that the monastery of the Holy Archangel which was built at Tropeae, has a shortage of provisions, as is indicated by the bearer of this letter. For that reason, your Experience should keep a careful watch over this matter, and if you find that the monks of the same place are conducting themselves well, and it proves abundantly clear that there are those in need among them, then you will hurry in every way to assist them, supporting by this authority, knowing that whatever you provide at our request is to be charged to your account."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 194.
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