Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 220

Gregory to Natalis, bishop of Salona. By many coming from your city, dearest brother, it is said that you, having abandoned pastoral care, are occupied solely with banquets. Which things, when heard, I would not believe, did I not confirm them by the proofs of your own actions. For since you in no way apply yourself to reading, in no way keep watch over exhortation, but are even ignorant of the very use of ecclesiastical order, this is in testimony that you know not how to preserve reverence toward those under whom you are set.

For although you were forbidden by the writings of my predecessor of holy memory not to retain in your heart so long the grief of your ingratitude against the archdeacon Honoratus, and although these same things were most strictly forbidden you by me as well, yet, both neglecting the commands of God and despising our writings, you attempted by cunning art to degrade the aforesaid Honoratus, your archdeacon, as though promoting him to a stronger honour. Whence it came about that, this man having been removed from the place of the archdiaconate, you summoned another who might have been able to comply with your ways — since the aforesaid man, as I judge, displeased you in no matter, save that he forbade you to give the sacred vessels and veils to your kinsfolk.

This cause both I now, and then my predecessor of holy memory, wished to examine by subtle investigation; but you, conscious to yourself of your own deeds, deferred to send a person instructed for the judgement. Therefore let your fraternity, even after admonition so often repeated, come to its senses from the error of its fault, and receive back the aforesaid Honoratus into his place as soon as you shall have received my writings. But if perhaps you defer to do this, know that the use of the pallium, which was granted from this see, has been taken from you. And if indeed, even the pallium being lost, you still persist in the same obstinacy, know that you are deprived of participation in the Lord's Body and Blood.

After which it will now be necessary that, investigating your cause more subtly, we should treat with the utmost care and inquiry whether you ought to persist in the bishopric itself. But the man who, against the rule of justice, consented to be promoted to another's place, we depose from the honour of that same archdiaconate. And if he shall presume any longer to minister in that same place, let him know that he is deprived of participation in the sacred communion. You therefore, dearest brother, provoke us no further, lest you find harsh in severity those whom, though set toward you in charity, you despise.

When therefore the archdeacon Honoratus has been restored to his place, send with haste a person instructed, who may by his allegations be able to demonstrate to me that this ought by reason to be done. For we have decreed that this same archdeacon shall come to us, so that, the assertions of the parties being known, we may decree whatever is just, whatever is pleasing to Almighty God. For we defend no one out of personal affection, but, God being our author, we keep the norm of justice, all respect of any person whatever being set aside. (Cf. John the Deacon, book III, chapter 54.)