Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 387

Gregory to John abbot of Regium. Those things which pertain to the correction of religious persons it neither befits nor is fitting for us to pass over. It has come to us, then, that in the monastery of Saint Andrew, which is situated near Vulcanus, many crimes are being perpetrated. And therefore it is necessary that you, supported by the injunction of our authority, proceed to that monastery, and examine with subtle investigation all the things that are said. And if you shall find it so — which God forbid — you shall so punish them according to rule, that a worthy coercion may teach them henceforth to abstain from depraved and unlawful acts. Gregory to Peter and Providentius bishops of Istria.

May God, who rejoices in the unity of the faithful and reveals the truth to those who seek it, open to your heart, most beloved brethren, with how great a desire I long for you to be held in the bosom of the holy universal Church, and to remain concordant in its unity. Which I doubt not shall come to pass, if, casting away the goad of contention, you strive to be truly satisfied concerning those things in which there is doubt. And instructed by the report of Castorius my notary now returning, I have learned that your fraternity has a desire of coming to me, if it be promised that it shall sustain no molestation.

Knowing this, I both desire it and, kindled with the ardor of charity, invite you to undertake the labor of coming to me, so that, conferring together on equal terms, we may both speak in common and by every means hold fast those things which are true and pleasing to our Redeemer. And I indeed, with the grace of divine protection supporting me, am ready to satisfy you concerning those things about which you doubt; and I am confident of the clemency of Almighty God that my satisfaction shall so inwardly cleave to you, that nothing ambiguous may henceforth be able to remain to your charity.

For those things which the most holy four synods thought and defined, just as our predecessor the most holy Pope Leo, so also do we think, follow, and hold, nor do we in any way dissent from their faith. But because a person present satisfies more than a letter, I exhort you, most beloved brethren, that you should come to me, as I have said before, provided only that, reason being perceived, no dissension may sever you from the concord of the holy universal Church. Let this, however, be certain to your charity: that I receive you with the affection that is fitting, and shall dismiss you with grace. Nor do I promise that you, or any others whatsoever who shall have wished to come to me for this cause, shall sustain any affliction or molestation.

But whether the divine mercy shall have pricked your heart to consent to me, or whether — which God forbid — it should happen that you persist in that dissension, we shall take care, according to my promise, to dismiss you to your own places, whenever you shall wish, without injury or molestation. In the month of August, in the 13th indiction. (Cf. John the Deacon, bk. IV, n. 37.)