教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 498 章

Gregory to Adeodatus and Maurentius, bishops from the regions of Africa. Greatly, most dear brother, do I rejoice together with you in the good of your sincerity, in that the testimony of Paul our brother and fellow-bishop, the bearer of these presents, has confirmed that gravity with which I had long ago heard you to be endowed. He has declared how much the more amply is the solicitude of ecclesiastical order and how great the care of rectitude in you, in proportion as he found this present, and recognized it the more in his own experience of your defense.

Since therefore it is a great thing, as you know, in the sight of our God for anyone to persevere unceasingly in good works, let the solicitude of Your Fraternity fittingly rouse itself to foster the cause of justice, and, as far as may be possible, permit nothing to be done against the rule of ecclesiastical discipline. And let no affair remove you from an intention of this kind; but if there are any things that offend the sincerity of Your Love and exceed the rules of canonical discretion, be zealous to expend a vigilant care upon them; and strive, so far as your strength suffices and with God's help, to amend those things by exhorting, persuading, and warning, while preserving the unity of charity.

and restrain the author of the excess with the bridle of priestly coercion, and lead him back from his wandering path with your tongue as guide and by action; and so show your effectiveness in all things, that Almighty God, who is the author of good will and the discerner of intention, may both here assist your willing and reward it in the life to come. Furthermore, commending to Your Fraternity our brother and fellow-bishop Paul, the above-mentioned, we exhort you that he may fittingly experience that charity of yours which he proclaims.