Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 638

Gregory to Anthemius, subdeacon of Campania. After the man who had been elected to the episcopate of the city of Surrentum did not seem suitable to us, they elected Amandus, presbyter of the oratory of Saint Severinus, which is situated in the castle of Lucullanum. Wherefore we command your experience that you be zealous to send this same presbyter to us with all haste, setting aside any excuse, so that the desires of those requesting him may, with Christ's help, be fulfilled, if there is nothing to hinder him. And since his life and conduct can better be ascertained there where he has long resided, let it be your care to inquire diligently concerning him together with our brother and fellow bishop Fortunatus.

And if there is nothing that could stand in the way of the sacred order, he ought to be sent to us with all slowness set aside. But lest our glorious daughter Clementina take this ill, let your experience go to her and do this with her consent. But if perchance she should be willing to resist, let your experience send him here, as we have said, without delay; for the spirits of our children are so to be appeased by us that nevertheless the benefit of souls ought not to be hindered. Gregory to Anthemius, subdeacon of Campania. It has come to us that the monks whom we sent, as you know, into the city of Surrentum to fulfill the will of the late Antoninus the defensor, are spending the money which they had received on purchasing possessions.

Since this matter indicates that no light necessity will shortly threaten them, therefore let your experience, admonished by this authority, provide and manage so that they may not spend those solidi incautiously and viciously. And that your solicitude may be praiseworthy in this matter, seek out possessions for them to purchase with all zeal and vigilance, so that the servants of God, obtaining sustenance from the fruits of these, may neither spend the solidi they have received in vain, nor themselves fall into want of livelihood. So then hasten to show yourself in this with all vigilance and all intention, so that your efficacy may be able both to remove peril from them and all care of solicitude from us.