教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 295 章

Gregory to Andreas, bishop of Taranto. Whosoever, conscious of his own guilt, strives to appease it by penance worthy of it, shall behold with security the tribunal of the eternal Judge. Now we have learned by manifest truth that you have kept a concubine, concerning whom, moreover, a contrary suspicion has arisen among certain persons. But because in doubtful matters the judgment ought not to be absolute, we have chosen to commit this to your own conscience. Wherefore, if, being set in holy orders, you recall that you were defiled by intercourse with her, then, the honor of the priesthood being laid down, presume in no way to approach the ministry, knowing that you minister at the peril of your soul, and that you will without doubt render account to our God, if of this crime—

conscious of it, you should choose, in the order in which you are, to remain concealing the truth. Wherefore we again exhort you that, if you recognize yourself to have been deceived by the cunning of the ancient enemy, you hasten, while it is permitted, to overcome him by fitting penance, lest you be reckoned a partaker with him—which we do not wish—in the day of judgment. But if you are not conscious of this guilt, it is necessary that you remain in the order in which you are. Moreover, since you cruelly appointed a woman of the almsroll to be beaten with cudgels, contrary to the order of the priesthood—and though we do not suppose that she died from it after eight months, yet because you were unwilling to have regard for your order—therefore we have determined that you abstain from the administration of the Masses for two months.

During which time it befits you to be suspended from your office for what you have done. For it is exceedingly fitting that, since the examples of praiseworthy priests do not summon you to the tranquil rectitude of this life, at least the medicine of correction may compel you.