Letter 1020: Having read the contradictory letters which you and your bishop have addressed to us against each other, we grieve that there is so little charity between you. Nevertheless we enjoin you to continue in the administration of your office, and, if the cause of offense between you can, under the power of grace, be settled on the spot, we believe it ...

Book I, Letter 20 To Honoratus, Deacon of Salona [modern Split, Croatia]. Gregory to Honoratus. Having read the conflicting letters that you and your bishop have sent us against each other, we are grieved that there is so little charity between you. Nevertheless, we direct you to continue in the duties of your office. If the source of conflict between you can, by God's grace, be settled locally, we believe that will greatly benefit both your souls. But if the discord has set you so firmly against each other that neither is willing to resolve the dispute, come to us for a hearing without delay. Let your bishop send a representative of his choosing, fully briefed on the case, so that after examining the whole matter in detail, we may determine what is right between you. We also want you to know that we will question you closely on all points about the church's sacred vessels and ornaments -- both those belonging to your own church and those collected from other churches -- and whether they are being kept with proper care and honesty. If any are found to have been lost through negligence or dishonesty, you will bear the responsibility, since as Archdeacon you are specifically charged with the safekeeping of your church's property.

Book I, Letter 20 To Honoratus, Deacon of Salona. Gregory to Honoratus, etc. Having read the contradictory letters which you and your bishop have addressed to us against each other, we grieve that there is so little charity between you. Nevertheless we enjoin you to continue in the administration of your office, and, if the cause of offense between you can, under the power of grace, be settled on the spot, we believe it will be greatly to the advantage of your souls. But in case the discord between you has so set you in arms against each other that you have no will to allay the swelling of your offense, come without delay to be heard before us, and let your bishop send to us on his own behalf such person as he may choose, furnished with instructions; that, after minutely considering the whole case, we may settle what may appear fit between the parties. But we would have you know that we shall make strict enquiry of you on all points, as to whether the ornaments , either those of your own church, or such as have been collected from various churches, are being now kept with all care and fidelity. For, if any of them shall be found to have been lost through negligence or through any person's dishonesty, you will be involved in the guilt of this, being, in virtue of your office of Archdeacon, peculiarly responsible for the custody of the said church. About this page Source. Translated by James Barmby. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 12. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1895.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360201020.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is feedback732 at newadvent.org. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.