教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 222 章

Gregory to Antoninus, subdeacon. Honoratus, archdeacon of the Church of Salona, had by a supplication sent to my predecessor of holy memory requested that he should in no wise be compelled by his prelate, unwillingly and contrary to custom, to be promoted to the order of a higher grade. For he declared that this was being done to him not for the sake of promotion, but on account of ingratitude. On which matter our predecessor of holy memory had then already, by his writings, forbidden Natalis, our brother and fellow-bishop, to promote the aforesaid archdeacon Honoratus unwillingly, nor to retain any longer in his heart the grief of the ingratitude he had conceived. And when these things had been most strictly forbidden to him by me as well, not only neglecting the commands of God,

but despising our writings, promoting the aforesaid archdeacon as though to a stronger honour, he attempted by cunning art to degrade him. Whence it came about that, this man having been removed from the place of the archdiaconate, he summoned another who might have been able to comply with his ways. Which archdeacon Honoratus we judge could not have displeased his prelate for any other reason, save that he forbade him to give the sacred vessels to his kinsfolk. This cause both then my predecessor of holy memory, and now I, wished to examine by subtle investigation; but he himself, conscious to himself of his own deeds, forbore to send a person to the judgement.

Therefore we have thought fit to fortify your experience with the authority of the present precept, so that, coming to Salona, you may strive to exhort Natalis, our brother and fellow-bishop, admonished at least by so many writings, that he receive back the above-mentioned archdeacon into his place at once. But if he should perhaps contumaciously defer to do this, as he has been wont, then by the authority of the Apostolic See forbid to him the use of the pallium, which was granted from this see. And if, even the pallium being lost, you shall perceive him still to persevere in the same obstinacy, you shall deprive the same prelate also of participation in the Lord's Body and Blood. But that man

who, against the rule of justice, consented to be promoted to another's place, we command to be deposed from the honour of that same archdiaconate. And him, if he shall presume any longer to minister in that same place, we deprive of participation in the sacred communion. For it is just that he should find harsh in matters of justice those whom, though set toward him in charity, he despises. When therefore the archdeacon Honoratus has been restored to his place, let the aforesaid prelate, at your compelling, send an instructed person who may by his allegations be able to demonstrate to me that his intention is or was just. But we command that this same archdeacon also come to us, so that, the assertions of the parties being known, we may decree whatever is just, whatever is pleasing to Almighty God.

For we defend no one out of personal affection, but, God being our author, we keep the norm of justice, all respect of any person whatever being set aside. As for our brother and fellow-bishop Malchus, you shall take care to commit him to a surety, so that he may come to us as quickly as possible, in order that, all delay and postponement being set aside, having set forth the accounts of his actions, he may be able to return home in safety. (Cf. John the Deacon, book III, chapter 9.)