Pope Gregory the Great → Natalis, of Salona
Tradução moderna em inglês
Book I, Letter 19
To Natalis, Bishop of Salona [the chief city of Dalmatia, on the Adriatic coast, modern-day Split, Croatia].
Gregory to Natalis.
The records of your synod [church council], in which the Archdeacon [senior deacon, the bishop's chief administrative assistant] Honoratus is condemned, appear to us full of conflict. The same person is simultaneously promoted to the priesthood against his will and removed from the diaconate as though unworthy. Just as no one who is unwilling should be forced into a promotion, no one who is innocent should be unjustly stripped of their office.
Since this discord, which is hateful to God, calls your actions into question, we instruct you to restore Archdeacon Honoratus to his position and duties, and to provide him with adequate support for his ministry. If the conflict between you persists, let the Archdeacon present himself for our hearing and investigation when summoned. And let Your Fraternity send us a representative fully briefed on the case, so that in both parties' presence, with the Lord's help, we may decide what justice requires without favoritism.
Texto inglês de origem
Book I, Letter 19 To Natalis, Bishop of Salona. Gregory to Natalis, etc. The acts of your synod which you have transmitted to us, in which the Archdeacon Honoratus is condemned, we perceive to be full of the seed of strifes, seeing that the same person is at one and the same time advanced to the dignity of the priesthood against his will, and removed from the office of the diaconate as though unworthy of it. And, as it is just that no one who is unwilling should be advanced by compulsion, so I think we must be of opinion that no one who is innocent should be deposed from the ministry of his order unjustly. Nevertheless, since discord hateful to God excuses your part in the transaction, we admonish you to restore his place and administration to the Archdeacon Honoratus, and agree to supply him with attendance sufficient for his divine ministry. If cause of offense is still fomented between you, let the aforesaid Archdeacon submit himself to our audience and enquiry, when admonished to do so, and let your love send to us a person instructed in the case, that in the presence of both, the Lord assisting us, we may be able to decide what justice approves without respect of persons.