Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 313

Gregory to Constantius, bishop of Milan. My most beloved son Boniface the deacon has secretly reported to me something from the writing of your Fraternity: that, seeking out an occasion rather than finding one, three bishops have separated themselves from the pious communion of your Fraternity, saying that you have consented to the condemnation of the Three Chapters and have made a written pledge. And indeed, if anything concerning the Three Chapters was named in any word or writing whatsoever, your Fraternity well remembers it; although the predecessor of your Fraternity, Laurence, issued to the Apostolic See a most stringent pledge, in which most noble men, in lawful number, subscribed.

Among whom I too, then holding the urban praetorship, likewise subscribed; because after such a schism had been made for no cause at all, it was just that the Apostolic See should take care to guard through all things the unity of the universal Church in the minds of the priests. But as to what is said, that our daughter Queen Theodelinda, on hearing this report, suspended herself from your communion, it is in every way established that, although she was for a little while seduced by the words of wicked men, yet on the coming of Hippolytus the notary and John the abbot, she will in all ways seek the communion of your Fraternity: to her also I have directed my letters, which let your Fraternity transmit without delay.

But concerning the bishops who seemed to suspend themselves, I have made another letter, which when you have shown to them, I do not doubt that, from the superstition of their pride, they will do penance before your Fraternity. You have also subtly and briefly indicated to me what has been done concerning King Ago, and concerning the kings of the Franks. I beg that your Fraternity make known to me in all ways whatever you shall further have learned. But if you see that Ago, king of the Lombards, does nothing together with the patrician, promise him on our behalf that I am ready to expend myself in his cause, if he is willing to arrange anything usefully with the Republic.