Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 684

Gregory to the people, presbyters, deacons and clergy of Milan. How great a grief the death of our brother and fellow-bishop Constantius afflicts us, we cannot express by written speech. But how many good things those regions have lost in one man—would that the neighbouring parts may not feel it by a sudden calamity! For we are not ignorant how solicitous he was in the ecclesiastical rule of discipline, and how vigilant in the safeguarding of your city. But since it is not fitting for you to be without your own bishop when the shepherd has departed, we have received with entire gratitude that you have signified, with God as your author, that you have unanimously elected Deusdedit your deacon to the office of the episcopate.

Wherefore, since no delay ought to hinder the desires of good zeal, we hasten, with God's grace, to fulfil your vows in him. And since the aforesaid man is known to us not by his character, but only by his appearance, it is fitting that, the more you recognize that in this election not only your own advantage but also the cause of God is being transacted, so much the more ought you to be careful. And if, upon subtle inquiry, there is nothing which, from his former life, can stand against him by way of crime according to the sacred canons, or if he is found fit for maintaining discipline and exercising governance, and, as you write, the assent of all agrees in his election, then, with the grace of the Godhead favouring, by the authority of the present writing we solemnly decree that he be ordained.

But as for that which you indicate was written to you by Agilulf, let it not move your Charity. For we by no reasoning give our consent to a man who is not elected by Catholics, and especially not by the Lombards. Nor, if it should be done by the usurpation of anyone's presumption, do we accept him into the place or order of that priesthood, because he is evidently shown to be an unworthy vicar of holy Ambrose, if one elected by such men is ordained. Nor is there anything in this cause that should deter you or lay any necessity upon you; for as to whence sustenance can be ministered to the clerics serving holy Ambrose, nothing lies in the places of the enemy, but, God protecting, it consists in Sicily and in other parts of the commonwealth.

Therefore, that no delay may occur in ordaining him who has been elected by you, we have sent our notary Pantaleon, who, as is the custom, with the authority of our consent supporting it, shall have him consecrated. To him also we have at present given charge concerning the little possessions which the presbyter Magnus once had committed to him, and concerning other advantages of our Church—to take care of them, or to do whatever else he ought; let your Charity, as is fitting, strive to show itself devoted to him in all things. (Cf. John the Deacon, Book IV, c. 21.)