Letter 12

From: Theudebert II, King of Austrasia To: Pope Gregory the Great Date: ~604 AD Context: The young Austrasian king writes to Gregory about church affairs in his kingdom — seeking papal recognition and support. Theudebert, king, to the most holy Pope Gregory. I write to the successor of Peter with the reverence due his office and with several requests that I believe are within his pastoral authority to grant. First: the ecclesiastical situation in several cities of my kingdom where the episcopal succession has been disputed requires papal confirmation to be fully resolved. I am sending with this letter documentation of the disputed cases; I ask for your judgment, which will carry weight here that a purely local decision would not. Second: I am concerned about the quality of the clergy in several rural areas of my kingdom — areas that were effectively abandoned during the wars of the previous generation and that have been receiving whatever ecclesiastical oversight was available, which in some cases was very little. I ask if there are men Rome can recommend for pastoral work in these areas. Third: the relics I requested last year from your predecessor — I understand that they are still pending. I want you to know that the churches being built for them are ready, and that the gifts I am sending with this letter are intended as expressions of my genuine gratitude in advance, not as payment for what should not be sold. I hold your office and your person in deep respect. Theudebert, king of Austrasia