Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 481

Gregory to John, bishop of Syracuse. Lest the concern for secular affairs should separate the hearts of religious men from mutual charity—which God forbid—one must strive with great solicitude that a matter drawn into dispute may reach its easiest end. Since therefore, as Caesarius, abbot of the monastery of Saint Peter which is established in the place called Baiae, has informed us, we have learned that a grave dispute has arisen between him and John, abbot of the monastery of Saint Lucy established in the city of Syracuse, concerning certain boundaries, lest this contention between them be able to be prolonged, we have provided that their disputes be settled by the determination of a surveyor.

And therefore we have written to Fantinus the defensor, that he should dispatch to your Fraternity there John the surveyor, who has set out from the city of Rome to Palermo. We exhort you therefore that you go with him to the places about which there is contention, and, both parties being set face to face, cause the places which are in dispute to be bounded in your presence—the prescription of forty years, however, being preserved to each party. But whatever shall be determined, let your Fraternity carefully and diligently provide that it be so kept, that neither may any quarrel be stirred up thereafter, nor any complaint be able to reach us.

We believe it is not hidden from your Fraternity that the venerable abbot Caesarius was once one of ours, and therefore we commend him to you, with equity preserved in all things. And because he is altogether inexperienced in secular causes, he must needs be assisted by your solicitude; yet in such a way that in all things, as is fitting, you preserve reason and justice.