Letter 1057: We learn from your Fraternity's epistle that, with regard to the choice of a bishop, some are agreed in favour of Ocleatinus, with whom, since we disallow him, they need not further concern themselves. But give notice to the inhabitants of that city that, if they should find any one in their own Church fit for that work, they all transfer their ...
Pope Gregory the Great→Severus, of Aquileia|c. 590 AD|gregory great
property economics
Economic matters
Book I, Letter 57
To Severus, Bishop [likely a nearby bishop with oversight responsibilities].
Gregory to Severus.
We learn from Your Fraternity's letter that regarding the election of a bishop, some have agreed in favor of Ocleatinus. Since we reject this candidate, they need not pursue the matter further.
Notify the inhabitants of that city that if they can find someone in their own church qualified for the role, they should all transfer their vote to him. Otherwise, the bearer of this letter will identify a person I have recommended, in whose favor the formal election notice should be issued.
Be prudent and careful in your oversight of this church. Ensure its property is preserved intact and its affairs are managed properly under your supervision.
Book I, Letter 57
To Severus, Bishop.
Gregory to Severus, etc.
We learn from your Fraternity's epistle that, with regard to the choice of a bishop, some are agreed in favour of Ocleatinus, with whom, since we disallow him, they need not further concern themselves. But give notice to the inhabitants of that city that, if they should find any one in their own Church fit for that work, they all transfer their choice to him. Otherwise the bearer of these presents will point out a person, of whom I have told him, in favour of whom the notification of the election should be made. Do you, moreover, be prudent and careful with regard to your visitation of the same Church, that its property may be preserved inviolate, and its interests attended to after the accustomed manner under your management.
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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/360201057.htm>.
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Book I, Letter 57
To Severus, Bishop [likely a nearby bishop with oversight responsibilities].
Gregory to Severus.
We learn from Your Fraternity's letter that regarding the election of a bishop, some have agreed in favor of Ocleatinus. Since we reject this candidate, they need not pursue the matter further.
Notify the inhabitants of that city that if they can find someone in their own church qualified for the role, they should all transfer their vote to him. Otherwise, the bearer of this letter will identify a person I have recommended, in whose favor the formal election notice should be issued.
Be prudent and careful in your oversight of this church. Ensure its property is preserved intact and its affairs are managed properly under your supervision.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.