Letter 10012

Gregory the Great (Wisigothic)Unknown|gregory great
From: Gregory the Great, Pope, in Rome
To: Fortunatus, Bishop of Naples
Date: ~600 AD
Context: Gregory commends the abbot Fuscus and his monastery to the Bishop of Naples.

Gregory to Fortunatus, bishop of Naples.

The abbot Fuscus and the monastery he governs have come to my attention, and I commend both to your oversight and protection.

A monastery near Naples that serves God faithfully deserves the support of its bishop. I ask you to be that support — to be available when the abbot needs counsel, to protect the monastery's property and rights when they are threatened, and to give the community the episcopal oversight it needs.

This is part of what a bishop does: not only governing the parish churches and settling disputes among clergy, but nurturing the monasteries in his diocese and helping them fulfill their purpose.

Gregory

Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.