Letter 1019: 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 ...
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.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
Related Letters
We have received at the hands of the deacon Stephen, whom you sent to us, the letters of your Reverence, wherein you congratulate us on our promotion. And truly what has been offered in the kindness and earnestness of charity demands full credence, reason having prompted your pontifical order to rejoice with us. We therefore, being cheered by yo...
Gregory to Natalis, archbishop of Salona. Whilst every kind of business demands anxious investigation of the truth, what pertains to deposition from sacerdotal rank should be considered with especial strictness, since here the matter in hand is not concerning persons constituted in a humble position, but, as it were, concerning reversal of divin...
As though forgetting the tenour of former letters, I had determined to say nothing to your Blessedness but what should savour of sweetness: but, now that in your epistle you have recurred in the way of argumentation to preceding letters, I am once more compelled to say perhaps some things that I had rather not have said. For in defense of feasts...
I have learned, dearest brother, from many who have come from your city that, neglecting your pastoral charge, you occupy yourself wholly in feastings: which report I should not have believed had not my own experience of your conduct confirmed it. For that you in no wise art intent on reading, in no wise give attention to exhortation, but art ev...