Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 249

Gregory to Januarius, Archbishop of Cagliari. If we weigh with integrity of mind the priestly office which we administer, the concord of an undivided charity ought so to unite us with our sons that, as we are fathers in name, so we may be proved so in affection through our deeds. Since, therefore, it behooves us to be such as we have said, we marvel why so great a mass of complaints has arisen against your Fraternity. Which indeed we still hesitate to believe. But that we may be able to know the truth, we have directed John, notary of our See, supported there by our command, who is to compel the parties to be present for the judgment of the electors, and by his own execution to carry to effect whatever shall have been judged.

Wherefore we exhort your Fraternity by these present writings that you ought first to handle the cases before you with all care. And if you recognize that you have taken or hold anything unjustly, restore it before judgment, out of regard for the priesthood. Now among the manifold complaints, Isidore, a most illustrious man, has complained that he was in vain excommunicated and anathematized by your Fraternity. As to for what reason this was done, when we wished to learn it from your cleric who was present, it became known that it was done for no other cause than that he had wronged you. This matter grievously afflicts us;

for if it is so, you show that you think nothing of heavenly things, but signify that you hold an earthly manner of conduct, in that, for vengeance of a private injury — which is forbidden by the sacred canons — you have brought in the malediction of anathema. Wherefore for the rest be altogether circumspect and careful, and do not again presume to inflict such things upon anyone in defense of your own injury. For if you do any such thing, know that it will afterwards be avenged upon yourself. Gregory to John, Bishop of Velletri. After hostile impiety, our sins so bringing it about, laid waste the Churches of various cities,

so that no hope of restoring them remained, the people failing, we are constrained by a much greater care, lest, their priests having died, the remnant of the people, governed by no shepherd's guidance, be snatched through pathless ways by the snares of the crafty enemy — which God forbid. Being therefore often admonished by the solicitude of this matter, this counsel has settled in our heart: to commit them to be governed by neighboring bishops. And therefore we have provided that the care and governance of the Church of Tres Tabernae be entrusted to your Fraternity, which it is necessary to be aggregated and united to your Church, so that, with Christ as your helper, you may rightly be priest of both Churches;

and whatever things concerning its patrimony, or the ordination of clergy, or promotion, shall seem good to you to arrange with vigilant and canonical care, since, as its proper bishop, you have free license by our present permission. Wherefore, most beloved brother, mindful in a salutary way of the Lord's commands, so watch over the government of the people committed to you and over the winning of souls, that, when you stand before the tribunal of the eternal Judge, you may present the fruit of good work — which pertains to your reward — to our same Redeemer, in whom He may be able to rejoice.