Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 466

Gregory to Sebastian the bishop. Pastoral care constrains us to hasten with solicitous consideration to Churches left destitute of the governance of a priest. And therefore, since the Church of Rimini, to which your Fraternity bestows the office of visitation, has long been left destitute of its own priest's pastoral governance on account of the sickness which, as you know, hinders his body, moved by the prayers of the clergy and citizens, we did not cease to admonish that same bishop that, if he should feel himself improved from that same affliction, he ought to return to the ministry of the priesthood he had undertaken.

He, once and again admonished by us, but with the same affliction pressing upon him, is now known to have signified to us, by a supplication offered in writing, that he can in no way rise, the affliction hindering, to the governance of that same Church or to the office he had undertaken. Compelled by the despair of that person, we have judged it necessary to think about the ordination of that same Church. We exhort therefore that you ought, by solicitous admonition, to urge the clergy and people of that same Church, that they elect for themselves, with the Lord's help, such a priest to be set over them, as may be found fit for so great a ministry, and may in no way be rejected by the venerable canons.

And when he shall have been demanded, with the solemnity of a decree strengthened by the subscriptions of all, and with the testimony of your letters as well, let him hasten hither to be consecrated, so that that Church may, with the Lord's aid, be able to have its own priest. In the month of May.