Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 797

Gregory to Deodatus, abbot of Naples. As much as our mind rejoices with the well-ordered community of brothers out of the intent of inward desire, so much is it shaken with vehement grief over the destitute brothers of the monastery of Saint Marcellinus, who are placed almost in desolation, that the care of pastoral solicitude may more swiftly come to their aid. For the monks of the monastery which is called Crater, founded near the city of Naples, are known to have informed us, a petition having been put forward, that that same place is so nearly destitute from the very foundations of the services of the servants of God, that scarcely have there remained those who alone can be its guardians.

For which reason they are known, tearfully supplicating, to have besought of us that we ought to unite that same monastery to your monastery, so that through your solicitude, and thereafter through others succeeding, that same place may, by the authorship of God, be able to be arranged by regular ordinance. But while our brother and fellow-bishop Basilius of the Church of Capua happened to be present at this matter, he showed himself greatly opposed, asserting that that place had formerly been joined to another monastery of his own diocese, and therefore ought by no means to be handed over into the right of another Church.

Against which objection the clergy of the Church of Naples in turn replied with opposing allegations that the matter was far otherwise than was being said, and, lest amid their differing opinions we should seem to determine anything doubtfully, having appointed examiners, we instituted that there be a judgment between them. Upon their reporting, we ascertained by manifest reasoning that our brother and fellow-bishop Basilius had no right in the aforesaid monastery of Crater. Which having been learned, at the pious request of the monks we thought it necessary to grant our consent. By the authority therefore of this present precept of ours, we determine that the same monastery of Crater is to be united to your cell.

Chiefly admonishing this, that that same place ought thenceforth to be so ordered by you with divine solace, that, so long as it is permitted by the enemy, the monks appointed by you there ought continually to remain in the praises of God, but in time of disturbance to be recalled within the city into their own cell. But all the things belonging to that same monastery here, we wish to be sought out and gathered together with diligent care, and, as it shall have seemed to you, to be fittingly disposed. And do not permit anything which belongs to that same monastery to be detained by anyone, but neglect not to restore all things into the right of the cell, now indeed yours, so that, all things having been disposed by a salutary ordinance, those things which are pleasing to God, supported by our authority, may remain unshaken for perpetual times.