Letter 11068: [To Virgilius, Bishop of Arelate (Arles).] Gregory to Virgilius, etc. What affection should be bestowed on brethren who come to us of their own accord is apparent from the fact that they are usually invited to visit us for the sake of charity. And so, if our common brother the bishop Augustine should chance to come to you, let your Love, as is f...

Gregory to Virgilius, Bishop of Arles. The affection we should show to brothers who come to us voluntarily is obvious from the fact that we usually invite people to visit us for the sake of charity alone. So if our common brother, Bishop Augustine, should happen to come to you, let your Love receive him with the warmth and sweetness he deserves, both to refresh him with the comfort of your presence and to teach others how fraternal charity should be cultivated. Since it often happens that those at a distance learn from others about problems that need correction, if Augustine should bring to your Fraternity's attention any faults among priests or others, investigate them together with him, with thorough and careful inquiry. Show yourselves so strict and so attentive against things that offend God and provoke his anger that, in the process of correction, punishment falls on the guilty and false accusation does not harm the innocent.

Book XI, Letter 68 [To Virgilius, Bishop of Arelate (Arles).] Gregory to Virgilius, etc. What affection should be bestowed on brethren who come to us of their own accord is apparent from the fact that they are usually invited to visit us for the sake of charity. And so, if our common brother the bishop Augustine should chance to come to you, let your Love, as is fit, so affectionately and sweetly receive him as both to refresh him with the boon of your consolation and teach others also how fraternal charity should be cultivated. And, since it often happens that those who are placed at a distance learn first from others of things that require amendment, if he should perchance intimate to your Fraternity any faults in priests or others, do you, in concert with him, enquire into them with all subtle investigation. And do you both show yourselves so strict and solicitous against things that offend God and provoke Him to wrath that, for the amendment of others, both vengeance may smite the guilty and false report not afflict the innocent. God keep you safe, most reverend brother. Given the 10th day of the Kalends of July, the 19th year of the empire of our most pious lord Mauricius Tiberius Augustus, the 18th year after the same our lord's consulship, Indiction 4. About this page Source. Translated by James Barmby. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 13. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1898.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360211068.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.