Letter 10034

From: Gregory the Great, Pope, in Rome To: Ecclesius, Bishop of Chiusi [in Tuscany] Date: ~600 AD Context: Gregory writes about a deacon John from Bagnorea who has been elected bishop there. Gregory to Ecclesius, bishop of Chiusi. A deacon named John from Bagnorea [a hill town in northern Latium] has been elected bishop there. His election requires examination to ensure it was properly conducted and that the candidate is suitable. I direct you to look into this matter. Examine John carefully — his faith, his character, his fitness for episcopal office. If he is suitable and the election was properly done, bring the matter forward for ordination. If there are problems with either the election or the candidate, identify them specifically. Report your findings to me. Gregory

AD ECCLESIUM CLUSINUM EPISCOPUM. De Joanne Diacono a Balneoregiensibus in episcopum electo 80llicite inquirat, Gregorius © Ecclesio episcopo Þ Clusino. Gloriosus filius noster Aufridus ad nos scripta transmisit, indicans quod in castr0 © Balneo-Regis, 1064 una cum habitatoribus loci ipsius sibi 4 Joan- C nem Diaconum elegerit episcopum ordinandum, de cujus omnino vita bona teslatus est. Sed quia qua Sint canonica nesciunt, et nos inexpertis vel jinco- gnitis manus temere non audemus imponere, frater- nitas vestra cum omni Sollicitudine ac vigilantia diversis quibus potuerit modis de vita aclibusque ipsius requirere studeat. Et si nihil est quod ei ca- nonice possit obsislere, requirendum quoque est si in opere Dei $tudium habuit, vel * psalmos novit. Et $i talis ſuerit, eum ad nos cum teslificationis SUP epistola dirigat. Si vero aliter ſuerit, vestris nobis similiter epistolis indicate, et habitatores loci D episcopalis sub archiepiscopo Senensi. Gussanv. Etruriz, et agri Urbevelani, vulgo Orvietan, in di- tione ponliſicis, adbuc episcopalis, Romano pontilici immediale $ubdita, Gussavv. Morinus de sacris ordinat., part. 1tt, exercitl. 3, C. 2. Dissentit Thomass., part. 1, lib. 1, c. 3b, bum. 11 et s8eqq. : ipsius adhortamini ut $i is{e aptus non fuerit, sicut A lalia requirenies monachi yenerunt, meque $:w!uit et suprascripto Auſrido filio nostro scripsimus, alium Sibi cligant gui ad. hoc officium cum gratia Dei aptus yaleat juyeniri \.