教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 163 章

Gregory to Anastasius, Archbishop of Corinth. The more the judgments of God are unsearchable, the more they ought to be feared by human senses; so that, since mortal reason cannot comprehend them, the humble must needs bow the neck of the heart beneath them, so that whither the will of Him who governs shall lead it, thither he may follow with obedient steps of the mind. But I, considering my infirmity, that I could not attain to the summit of the apostolic see, chose rather to decline this burden, lest in the pastoral government I should sink under the action of an unequal administration. But since it is not permitted to run counter to the disposing judgment of the Lord, I have obediently followed what the merciful hand of Him who governs me willed to work concerning me.

For to your Fraternity, even if the present occasion had not arisen, it would necessarily have had to be signified that the Lord has deigned that I, though unworthy, should preside over the apostolic see. And since both the cause demanded that this be done, and by the sending from us of the bearer of the present, that is Boniface the defensor, an occasion had arisen, we have taken care not only by writings to render to your Fraternity the vows of charity, but also to make known concerning our ordination, which we believed would be desirable to you. Therefore let your charity gladden us with reciprocal letters concerning the unity of the Church, and the desirable message of your welfare, so that the bodily absence, which the separation of places makes us endure, may be made present by the mutual exchange of writings.

We also exhort that, since we have destined the above-mentioned bearer of the present, for certain necessary causes, to the footsteps of the most clement prince, and since the changeableness of the season is wont to generate many impediments of the journey, whatever shall be necessary to him, whether in the provision of the earthly journey, or also in the procuring of a ship, your priestly affection should bestow, so that he may be able, the Lord having mercy, more speedily to accomplish his appointed journey. (Cf. John the Deacon, bk. I, ch. 64.)