Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 841

Gregory to John the bishop. Lest the incautious ordination of those who are chosen for the episcopate be able to come about, inquiry must be made with vigilant solicitude concerning their persons. It has indeed been indicated to us that Florentinus, archdeacon of the Church of Ancona, who had been chosen for the episcopate, has indeed knowledge of Holy Scripture, but is so already broken down by the old age of his years that he cannot rise to the office of governance. They add moreover that he is so miserly that no friend ever enters his house for a meal of charity. But Rusticus, a deacon of the same Church, who had likewise been chosen, is said indeed to be a watchful man, but—as far as is asserted—he is ignorant of the Psalms.

But Florentinus, a deacon of the Church of Ravenna, who is reported to have been chosen by all, we know to be diligent; but what he is inwardly, we altogether know not. Therefore let Your Fraternity, together with our brother and fellow-bishop Armenius, visitor of the aforesaid Church of Ancona, hasten to go thither, and diligently inquire concerning the life and morals of each, and whether they are conscious to themselves of no crime which would forbid them to accede to this office.

Likewise it must also be inquired whether that which was said concerning the aforesaid archdeacon—namely that no friend ever entered his house—is thus in truth, and whether he is such from necessity or from miserliness, or whether he is so old that he cannot rise to governing; or whether, with the most holy Gospels touched, as has been reported to us, he swore an oath never to accede to the episcopate. But also concerning Rusticus the deacon, it must be examined how many Psalms he knows too little. But as for Florentinus, the deacon of Ravenna, if there is no crime which stands in the way, as we have said, it is necessary that action be taken with his bishop, that he ought to grant him a release;

yet not by our mandate or word, lest he be said to yield against his own will. But let those who choose him know this, and let them act accordingly; and do you inquire into each matter with all zeal and solicitude—everything which we have written—and strive to indicate it to us minutely, so that, being made more certain by your report, we may arrange what after these things ought to be done, God being the author. (Compare John the Deacon, Book III, chapter 42.)