Gregory the Great (Wisigothic)→Unknown|gregory great
From: Gregory the Great, Pope, in Rome
To: Hilarus, a monk in Africa
Date: ~591 AD
Context: Gregory directs Hilarus to convene a council as quickly as possible to investigate Argentius as a candidate for bishop of Lamigensis.
Gregory to Hilarus, monk in Africa.
The church of Lamigensis is without a bishop, or is in the process of selecting one, and it has been proposed that Argentius be considered. I direct you to convene a council of local bishops as quickly as possible to examine this candidacy. The examination should be thorough: Argentius's faith, his life and conduct, his suitability for episcopal governance — all of these must be carefully assessed.
Do not rush to a conclusion that the candidate's supporters want, nor drag out the process indefinitely to satisfy his opponents. Proceed with appropriate speed, conduct a genuine investigation, and then report the results to me with the council's recommendation.
The quality of the men we ordain to the episcopate is one of the most consequential decisions the church makes. A bad bishop does harm for years; a good one builds the church for a generation. Take the responsibility seriously.
Gregory
AD HILARUM MONACHUM AFRICE.
Ut, coacto quamprimum concilio, in Argentium Lami-
gensem episcopum inquiratur.
Gregorius ® Hilaro monacho Aſricz.
Felicissimus atque Vinceniius diacones Ececlesiz
quzcunque eorum judicio ſuerint terminala, te exse-
quenle modis omnibus compleantur. Ita ergo cum
omni te vivacitate huic causz volumus prebere in-
$tantiam, ut ad examinanda quz jussimus nulla pos-
Sit Subnecti dilatio, sciturus non in levem te offensam
incurrere, $i noslra quacunque excusatione lentata
ſuerit preceplio.
◆
From:Gregory the Great, Pope, in Rome
To:Hilarus, a monk in Africa
Date:~591 AD
Context:Gregory directs Hilarus to convene a council as quickly as possible to investigate Argentius as a candidate for bishop of Lamigensis.
Gregory to Hilarus, monk in Africa.
The church of Lamigensis is without a bishop, or is in the process of selecting one, and it has been proposed that Argentius be considered. I direct you to convene a council of local bishops as quickly as possible to examine this candidacy. The examination should be thorough: Argentius's faith, his life and conduct, his suitability for episcopal governance — all of these must be carefully assessed.
Do not rush to a conclusion that the candidate's supporters want, nor drag out the process indefinitely to satisfy his opponents. Proceed with appropriate speed, conduct a genuine investigation, and then report the results to me with the council's recommendation.
The quality of the men we ordain to the episcopate is one of the most consequential decisions the church makes. A bad bishop does harm for years; a good one builds the church for a generation. Take the responsibility seriously. Gregory
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.