教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 425 章

Gregory to Columbus, bishop of Numidia. We have received the writings of your Fraternity, full of sacerdotal sweetness, delivered by the bearer of the present letter, the deacon Rogatianus. And their kindly discourse greatly gladdened us, especially because through them we learned of your well-being, which is what we desire. As for the devotion of your Holiness, we knew it of old, and now, as you write, so we hold it. For what the sincerity of your Fraternity is toward us, we have no need of assurance, since we know it from that love of our own mind which is toward you.

To the aforesaid bearer, moreover, whom you commended to us by letter, we have given writings to the rector of the patrimony of Sicily, that he may urge the opposing party to do what is just, so that, all frustrating excuse being set aside, the dispute of the whole cause may be brought more quickly to its end. We therefore inform your Holiness that a certain man came to us, Peter by name, who asserts that he was a bishop, and asked of us a remedy for his cause.

And at first indeed he related things that might have deserved compassion; but on our making inquiry, we afterwards found the matter far otherwise than he had indicated, and his conduct grievously saddened us. But since, separated by so long an interval of journey, we were by no means able to learn subtly the inner facts of his cause, being uncertain we could not settle it. Now, however, since the aforesaid deacon on his return begged that he might be released to go back with him, and he himself sought to return to you, knowing that your Holiness has zeal for the faith, as is fitting, and love of justice, it was agreeable to us, and we granted the things they asked.

Since therefore you who are present can know the cause more subtly, we exhort you to observe toward the same Peter whatever shall be just and canonical, so that both the vigor of rectitude may be fulfilled by you in all things, and his cause may be seen to be judged according to the fear of God and the rules of the Church. But if anyone be said to have been conscious of, or a partaker in, the things whereof the aforesaid man is accused, it must be subtly inquired into, and, the truth being known, likewise judged canonically. Moreover, a matter altogether hard and hostile to the right faith has come to us: because—what is unlawful to say—catholic men, and religious, which is the more detestable, consent that their children and slaves, or others whom they have in their power, be baptized in the heresy of the Donatists.

And therefore, if it be true, let your Fraternity strive with the utmost effort to correct this, so that the sincerity of your faith may stand undefiled by your solicitude, and innocent souls, which could be saved by catholic baptism, may not perish through the infection of heretics. Whosoever therefore, among those persons whom we have mentioned above, has suffered any of his own to be baptized among the Donatists, let him strive with all power and all urgency to recall them to the catholic faith. But if anyone of such persons shall henceforth allow this to be done to his people under any excuse whatever, let him be by every means alien from the clergy.