Pope Gregory the Great → Antoninus, Subdeacon
Tradução moderna em inglês
Book III, Letter 9
To Antoninus, Subdeacon [Gregory's administrator in Dalmatia].
Gregory to Antoninus.
It has come to our ears that Florentius, bishop of the city of Epidaurus [a town on the Dalmatian coast], after first having his property seized, has been driven from his church. If this is true, it is a serious injustice. No bishop may be removed from his see without proper canonical proceedings [formal church legal process].
We direct you to investigate this matter immediately. If you find that Florentius was expelled unjustly and without due process, ensure that he is restored to his church and that his property is returned. Those responsible for the expulsion must be held accountable.
If, on the other hand, there are legitimate charges against him, they must be properly investigated and tried according to the canons. The rule of law must be upheld in all cases -- both to protect the innocent from oppression and to ensure that the guilty receive fair judgment.
Report back to us on your findings without delay.
Texto inglês de origem
Book III, Letter 9 To Antoninus, Subdeacon. Gregory to Antoninus, etc. It has come to our ears that Florentius, bishop of the city of Epidaurus, his property having first been seized, has been condemned, for certain crimes not proved, without a sacerdotal council. And, inasmuch as he ought not to suffer canonical punishment, no canonical sentence having been pronounced for his condemnation, we enjoin your Experience to urge upon our brother and fellow bishop Natalis that he should cause the aforesaid man to be recalled from the banishment into which he is said to have been driven. And a council of bishops having been assembled, if the charges brought against him should be canonically proved, we will that the sentence of our aforesaid brother and fellow bishop Natalis shall take effect against him. But, should he be absolved by a general judgment, you must not permit him to be subject to prejudice on the part of any one, and must carefully and rigorously insist on his aforesaid property being restored to him. It is therefore needful that the heavier you feel the burden of such negotiations to be, with the maturer and more vigilant execution thou take pains to fulfil them.