Gregory to Felix, bishop of Siponto. We had expected that Your Fraternity would by his preaching convert some men to God, and recall evildoers to the right path. On this account we are exceedingly grieved, because, on the contrary, in the depravity of your nephew Felix your own fault has been plainly shown, seeing that you have reared such a man. For it has reached us that the aforesaid Felix has, by an outrage which it is a shame even to name, seduced the daughter of your deacon Evangelus.
If this be true, although according to the law he ought to be punished with a heavy penalty, we nevertheless, somewhat softening the severity of the law, ordain by this decree that he either take as wife the woman whom he has ravished, or else, if he think fit to refuse, that he be more strictly and bodily chastised, excommunicated, and shut up in a monastery where he may perform penance, from which he shall have no leave to depart without our command. Let Your Fraternity therefore take pains that these things be carried out, so that nothing of them may in any way be omitted. For if anything be attempted otherwise—which we do not believe—both grave peril will thereafter threaten him, and no light fault will begin to regard you.