Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 530

Gregory to Demetrianus and Valerianus, clerics of Fermo. Both the statutes of the sacred canons and the authority of the laws permit that ecclesiastical goods be lawfully expended in the redemption of captives. And therefore, since we have been informed by you that, nearly eighteen years ago, the most reverend man Fabius, then bishop of the Church of Fermo, expended eleven pounds of silver from that same Church upon the enemies for the redemption of you and of your father Passivus—our brother and fellow-bishop, but then a cleric—and also of your mother, and that you have from this a certain fear lest what was given may at some time be demanded back from you:

we have provided by the authority of this precept that your suspicion be removed, decreeing that you and your heirs shall at no time thereafter sustain any trouble of demand, nor shall any question be raised against you by anyone, because the reason of equity requires that what has been expended out of zeal for piety ought not to pertain to the burden or affliction of those redeemed. Gregory commends the patrimony of the Church in Sicily to Romanus the defender. The care of our purpose admonishes us to entrust ecclesiastical interests to be managed by energetic persons.

And therefore, since we have proved you, Romanus the defender, to have shown yourself faithful and diligent, we have provided that the patrimony of the holy Roman Church, which by God's mercy we serve, situated in the parts of Syracuse, Catania, Agrigento, and Milazzo, be committed to your governance from the present second indiction. Whence it is necessary that you go thither without distinction, so that, by consideration of the divine judgment, and mindful of our admonition, you show yourself efficaciously and faithfully diligent, so that you be found to sustain no peril of any negligence or fraud, which God forbid. But rather do this, that from your faith and industry you may be commended to divine grace.

To the household of that same patrimony we have sent precepts according to custom, so that there may be nothing which can in any respect hinder you from carrying out what has been enjoined on you. Gregory to the tenant-farmers of the Syracusan patrimony. I wish you to know that our disposition has appointed you to pertain to the solicitude of our defender. And therefore we command that, in those things which he shall have provided and enjoined upon you to be done for ecclesiastical advantages, you obey without any difficulty of what is owed. To him we have given such power that he may with strict punishment correct those who prove disobedient, or presume to be contumacious.

And likewise we have charged him that he do not defer to recall by the instance of his solicitude, according to ecclesiastical right, the slaves who lie hidden abroad, or any boundaries invaded by anyone. For you shall know that he has been admonished, at his own peril, that he presume at no time to do any violence to the goods of others, or robbery under any excuse whatsoever. Gregory to Peter of Sicily. Knowing that the affection of devotion is enlarged by fatherly commendations, it is necessary that we hasten by our letters to increase our favour toward Your Glory in those things which we trust you do of your own accord.

We therefore make known to Romanus the defender, the bearer of these presents, that we have entrusted—God's grace protecting—the patrimony of our Church, which is known to be situated in the districts of Syracuse, Catania, and neighbouring places. And therefore, greeting you with fatherly affection, we ask that you ought to foster him by your providence, and lend him in all things your aid, as we are confident of you; so that while he has the support of consolation in the solace or favour of Your Glory, you may both more manifestly show what charity you bear toward us, and we may hasten in all things to respond to your will, whenever it shall be necessary.