教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 750 章

Gregory to Boniface, defensor of Corsica. Your Experience is not without fault, in that, knowing the cities of Corsica, Aleria and Adiacium, to have long been without bishops, you have delayed to admonish their clergy and people to elect a priest for themselves. Since these cities ought no longer to be without their own governor, take up the authority herewith granted and hasten to exhort the clergy and people of each city that they should not dissent among themselves, but that each city should with one accord elect a priest to be consecrated. And when the decree is made, let him who has been elected come to us.

But if they are unwilling to agree upon one man, but are divided in the election of two, likewise, decrees being made according to custom, let them come to us, so that, inquiring into the life, conduct, and morals of these men, he who shall seem fit may be ordained. But because it is reported that many poor there are oppressed and suffer prejudice, let your Experience take care, and not permit them to be burdened contrary to justice; but let it so strive that neither those who act against reason may obtain their end, nor those against whom action is taken may unjustly suffer loss. Moreover, it has come to us that certain of the clergy, while you are stationed there, are held by laymen. If this is so, know that it is imputed to your fault, since, had you been a man, this would not have come to pass.

And therefore henceforth it is necessary for you to take care that you do not permit this to be done; but if anyone has a suit against a cleric, let him approach that cleric's bishop. If perchance the bishop be suspected, an executor is to be appointed either by the bishop himself, or, if the plaintiff should decline even this, by your Experience, who shall compel the parties by mutual consent to elect judges. And whatever shall have been determined by these, let it be in every way carried out, whether by your care or the bishop's, the law being preserved, so that there may be no ground on which they can wear themselves out in litigations.