Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 824

Gregory to Chrysanthus, bishop of Spoleto. By the report of certain persons we have learned that the priests of the territory of Norcia dwell together with strange women. In this matter let your Fraternity acknowledge us to be greatly saddened, seeing that it has by no means undertaken to restrain such things long ago, if indeed it knew of them.

But since we have charged Optatus the defensor that he ought by every means to amend these things, and that if any of them should wish to appear contumacious in such a matter, he ought to summon him to the judgment of your Fraternity, therefore we have deemed it necessary to write to your Holiness that if he shall come to know any of the priests belonging to your diocese to be dwelling with strange women, or indeed if he shall find those insolent concerning whom the aforesaid Optatus shall have reported to your Holiness, then, priestly admonition having first been given, and, if the matter so require, applying also canonical discipline, he may hasten henceforth to amend them, since we can by no reason endure to hear such things.

But also concerning the presbyter who, they say, without regard to God inflicts violence upon very many, let your Fraternity be zealous to admonish or rebuke him for such things. And if he refuse to hear you, suspend him from communion, so that in this way at least he may begin to withdraw himself from his depraved deeds. In the month of July, in the sixth indiction.