Foes Of God

Quote from Letter 5,32 to Cyprian, deacon. 20 April 595

And so, with al virtue and with all urgency let your Beloved take care to show your zeal in this case towards our almighty God, and to exhibit worthy opposition to His foes with the infliction of punishments, so that you fulfill what has been written: 'Do I not hate them, O Lord, that hate you? I am nog grieved with those who rise up against you?' If therefore your Beloved is inflamed with the zeal, let punishment be shown against those who have abandoned God and harmed Him with their evil deeds. But if you are unable to carry this out correctly therein, men of this sort ought to be sent over to us, provided that it can be shown that they can be convicted there without any difficulty. But because I think that this is impossible, you ought to apply a strict and severe punishment there.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 

On Taxes

Quote from Letter 5,31 to the tenants of estates or farms situated in Gaul. 15 April 595.

But because the time of winter has impeded us, we have arranged for you to be commended to a glorious man and patrician, Arigius. In the meantime be ready to obey him with earnest goodwill and obedience, as is proper for servants of Saint Peter, and to implement whatever you are ordered to do for the sake of the Church's benefit.

We have decided that you should bring in customary exceptions for its benefit. But let the taxes collected honestly and with all diligence remain under the care of any of you whom you have elected with common consent. When the man we are going to send up from our side reaches you, he can receive those taxes from that person.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 344

To The Emperor

Quote from Letter 5,30 to Maurice, Augustus. 12 March 595

Some nuns have come to this city from various provinces, fleeing after being captured, and several of them were placed in monasteries, as far as the possibilities of the places allowed, but those among them who could not be housed at all, are living singularly destitute lives of poverty. Because of this, it has been decided that what could be spared from the blind and maimed and other invalids, ought to be paid to them, provided that not only indigent locals but also strangers arriving here should receive the mercy of your Lordship. It has thus been brought about that they all pray together in concord for the life of their Lordship, that almighty God might grant you a long and peaceful life and allow the most fortunate offspring of your Piety to flourish for a long time in the Roman republic.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 342

Setting The Example

Quote from Letter 5,29 t Julian, a recruiting-officer. 2 March 595

Indeed you do well to love charity and persuade men to concord. But since we are compelled by a consideration of our rank to leave aside those unwanted things which have not come to all our notice because of God, for that reason, as Maximus comes here, we take care to examine him in detail as to what has been said about him, and we are confident in the protection of our Creator, as we are deflected neither by anyone's favor nor by any wrongdoing from the status of canon law and the rectitude of justice, but we freely preserve what agrees with reason. for it (Heaven forbid!) we neglect the care and energy of the Church, idleness destroys discipline and will certainly harm the souls of the faithful, while they receive examples of this sort from their own bishops.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 342

Investigation

Quote from Letter 5,28 to Cyprian, deacon. March 595

Benenatus, our brother and fellow-bishop, alleges that a certain monk, Cicerio, [...] was a servant of his under Church law, and asks for him to be restored to him together with his goods.

And so, it is necessary that your Beloved should inquire into this earnestly, and if it is established to be truly so, restore the aforesaid Cicerio with his goods [...] to the ownership of the Church of Misenum, without any delay. This, after a culpable lapse has removed him from the monastic way of life, he may now recognize the yoke of mastership, which he could have avoided as a permanent monk.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 342.

Aid

Quote from Letter 5,27 to Gaudentius, bishop of Nola. March 595

Let your Fraternity restore the ten gold coins that Festus, one-time bishop of the above-mentioned church [of Capua], took from Rusticus, his archdeacon, because Rusticus is said to have reached such terrible poverty that something should be conferred on him rather than taken away from him. For it is hard to neglect a person even far from his priestly office, when he is subject to need, while longing for money indecently, so keen to pile it up.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 341

Good Counsel

Quote from Letter 5,26 to Vincomalus, defender. February 595

You should faithfully work hard to complete all that we have charged you to do, as being about to render an account on your actions before the judgement of our God. We have dictated this letter for Paterius, notary of our Church, to write down.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 341