Letter 3,48 - to Adeodatus, primate bishop of the province of Numidia. July 593
"Furthermore, as we greet your Fraternity with a harmonious feeling of affection, we exhort you to endeavor with a total application to carry out your office of primate, which you have with God's authority, with great wisdom. Thus it may both profit your soul to have reached this rank, and a good example for imitation may be available for others in the future.
And so be especially careful in ordination, and in no way allow men to aspire to holy orders unless more advanced in age and pure in deed. Otherwise, perhaps they may cease to be forever what they immaturely hasten to become. First examine the life and morals of those who are to be placed in holy orders and, so that you can admit those who are worthy of this office, do not let the influence or prayers of any person deprive you of them. 5n truth before all else you ought to take care that no venality occurs in ordination, in case (Heaven forbid!) a greater danger threatens both those consecrated and those consecrating.
Therefore, if action is ever necessary over this, invite serious and experienced men to participate in your counsels, and judge this matter with a common deliberation. And before all others, it is Columbus, our brother and fellow-bishop, whom you should consult over any matter at all."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 266.
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
Praise
Letter 3,47 - to Bishop Columbus. July 593
"I congratulate you and praise God our Creator especially, who does not deny the gifts of his mercy to his humble servants. For this reason I truly confess that your Fraternity has so inspired me to love you with the flame of charity, and that my spirit has been so united with yours, that I both long to see you, and yet in your absence I shall always think of you in my heart. For the union of minds in love can certainly show more honor than bodily presence. Furthermore with all my mind, with all my heart and with all my soul, I know that you adhere even now to the apostolic see, and are devoted to it, and before your letter gave witness of this devotion, I knew it full well."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 265.
"I congratulate you and praise God our Creator especially, who does not deny the gifts of his mercy to his humble servants. For this reason I truly confess that your Fraternity has so inspired me to love you with the flame of charity, and that my spirit has been so united with yours, that I both long to see you, and yet in your absence I shall always think of you in my heart. For the union of minds in love can certainly show more honor than bodily presence. Furthermore with all my mind, with all my heart and with all my soul, I know that you adhere even now to the apostolic see, and are devoted to it, and before your letter gave witness of this devotion, I knew it full well."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 265.
Sunday, 7 August 2011
A Laudable Election
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.
"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.
Thursday, 4 August 2011
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.
"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.
Sunday, 31 July 2011
A Matter Of Consciounce
Letter 4,34 - to Andrew, bishop of Tarentum. June 593
"We have found out with manifest truth that you have certainly had a concubine, concerning whom divided suspicions have arisen among some people. But since in ambiguous matters a judgement should not be absolute, we have decided that this should be left for your conscience. And so if you recall being stained by intercourse with her, while appointed to a holy order, you should lay aside your priestly rank and in no way presume to engage in church administration, knowing that your are ministering with danger to your soul, and that you are giving clear account to our God if, while conscious of this sin, you want to remain in the order which you now have by concealing the truth.
Wherefore we encourage you again, if you find that you have been deceived by the cunning of the ancient enemy, be quick to conquer him while you can with sustainable penitence, in case of the day of Judgement your are condemned as his partner, which we do not want. But if in your view you are not guilty of this charge, you must remain in the order in which you are now."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 263.
"We have found out with manifest truth that you have certainly had a concubine, concerning whom divided suspicions have arisen among some people. But since in ambiguous matters a judgement should not be absolute, we have decided that this should be left for your conscience. And so if you recall being stained by intercourse with her, while appointed to a holy order, you should lay aside your priestly rank and in no way presume to engage in church administration, knowing that your are ministering with danger to your soul, and that you are giving clear account to our God if, while conscious of this sin, you want to remain in the order which you now have by concealing the truth.
Wherefore we encourage you again, if you find that you have been deceived by the cunning of the ancient enemy, be quick to conquer him while you can with sustainable penitence, in case of the day of Judgement your are condemned as his partner, which we do not want. But if in your view you are not guilty of this charge, you must remain in the order in which you are now."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 263.
Friday, 29 July 2011
Lost Property
Letter 3,43 - to Boniface, bishop of Reggio. June 593
"Indeed Stephania, who bears this letter, complains that some of her property was seizes by force in the time of your predecessor and one-time bishop, Lucius, by his agents. And because she has requested that this should be restored to her, with justice on her side, for that reason your Fraternity should, with the fear of God, take care accordingly to learn accurately what she asserts. And if you find that it is as the aforesaid women says, arrange for whatever has been wrongly taken from her to be restored, without any loss or delay. For it is very wrong to keep the property of others contrary to Church policy."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 263.
"Indeed Stephania, who bears this letter, complains that some of her property was seizes by force in the time of your predecessor and one-time bishop, Lucius, by his agents. And because she has requested that this should be restored to her, with justice on her side, for that reason your Fraternity should, with the fear of God, take care accordingly to learn accurately what she asserts. And if you find that it is as the aforesaid women says, arrange for whatever has been wrongly taken from her to be restored, without any loss or delay. For it is very wrong to keep the property of others contrary to Church policy."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 263.
Responsibilities
Letter 3,42 - to Felix, bishop of Siponto. june 593
"We expect your Fraternity to convert some people to God by your preaching, and to recall evil-doers to righteousness. We are greatly saddened over this matter, because in the depravity of your grandson Felix, by contrast, your fault has been clearly shown, as it was you who brought up such a person.
We had heard that the above-mentioned Felix deceived and seduced the daughter of our deacon, Evangelus. If this is true, although he should be punished with a heavy penalty, according to law, yet we alleviate the harshness of the law to some extent, seeing that it should be settled in the following way. That is, he should either marry the girl he defiled or else, if he thinks he must refuse, he should certainly receive quite severe corporal punishment, and should be excommunicated, and shut away in a monastery, where he can pay penance."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 263.
"We expect your Fraternity to convert some people to God by your preaching, and to recall evil-doers to righteousness. We are greatly saddened over this matter, because in the depravity of your grandson Felix, by contrast, your fault has been clearly shown, as it was you who brought up such a person.
We had heard that the above-mentioned Felix deceived and seduced the daughter of our deacon, Evangelus. If this is true, although he should be punished with a heavy penalty, according to law, yet we alleviate the harshness of the law to some extent, seeing that it should be settled in the following way. That is, he should either marry the girl he defiled or else, if he thinks he must refuse, he should certainly receive quite severe corporal punishment, and should be excommunicated, and shut away in a monastery, where he can pay penance."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 263.
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