教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 264 章

Gregory to Agnellus, bishop of Fundi, who is now incardinated in the city of Terracina. The report of the clergy and people alike dwelling at Terracina greatly gladdens us, for this reason: that it bears good testimony concerning Your Fraternity. And since, their pontiff Peter having died, they demand that you be constituted their cardinal priest, we have foreseen that their wishes must of necessity be fulfilled, so that both they may rejoice to have obtained what they ask, and we may be seen to have granted what is expedient.

Since therefore, by reason of the enemy's hostility, there is licence for no one to dwell either in your city or in your church, we therefore by our authority constitute you cardinal priest of the Church of Terracina, admonishing you that you be so solicitous, God protecting, for the souls of the peoples dwelling there, that the snares of the cunning and perverse foe may by no craft be able to harm the flock committed to you, but that the flock, hedged about by the guard of your solicitude, may rejoice to have merited the protection of a worthy pastor. In your deeds let there be for the people examples of right living; let avarice have no power in you. By your preaching let those who know no letters recognize what is divinely commanded.

Let your character so instruct the people in the fear of God as they are able to live. By works practise what you teach and preach to those subject to you. Let your acts profit to the correction of others, and let them take the imitation of your life as a help to themselves. And so hasten to show yourself in all your works, that whoever either neglects or is unable to be formed by reading may have in you a scripture and an edifice. With the whole intent of your mind, therefore, so hasten to make gain of souls for our Lord, that a worthy reward may find you before His sight on the day of retribution.

But whatever you shall diligently and canonically provide to order and do concerning the goods of the aforesaid Church or its patrimony, or the ordination and promotion of the clergy, and all things generally pertaining to it, you shall have full authority, as being its proper priest, in every manner. This also it is necessary for Your Fraternity to know: that we so constitute you cardinal priest of the aforesaid Church of Terracina, that you cease not also to be pontiff of the Church of Fundi, nor pass over the care and governance of it; because we so command Your Fraternity, as we have said, to preside over the oft-mentioned Church of Terracina, that we in no way withdraw from you the rights or power over the aforesaid Church of Fundi.

(See below, letter 24. Compare John the Deacon, book 1, chapter 15.)