Letter 13005: Although what we say is very distressing to us, and fraternal compassion rather moves us to weep than allows us to lay down anything concerning the things we have heard of, yet solicitude for the government undertaken by us pricks our heart with an urgent spur to see with great care to the good of churches, and to arrange what should be done bef...

Gregory to Etherius, Bishop of Lyon. What I must say deeply distresses me. Fraternal compassion moves me to weep rather than to pronounce judgment. Yet the responsibility of the office I have undertaken pricks my conscience urgently -- I must see to the welfare of churches and take action before their interests suffer beyond repair. I have learned from reports that a certain bishop has been struck by a mental illness so severe that what he does in his episodes of confusion is a matter for grief and tears. We cannot allow the shepherd's sickness to leave the flock exposed to the predator's teeth, God forbid, or the interests of the Church to suffer irreparable harm. This must be handled with careful provision. Here is the principle: during a bishop's lifetime, when unavoidable illness -- not crime -- removes him from his duties, no one may be ordained in his place except upon his resignation. If he has periods of lucidity, let him compose a petition declaring that his mental infirmity prevents him from carrying on his ministry, and requesting that another be ordained in his place. Once that is done, let the entire community elect a worthy successor, who shall be properly consecrated as bishop -- with the provision that the sick bishop continues to receive his proper maintenance from the church for as long as he lives. If, however, he never recovers his faculties, then a trustworthy person of proven life must be chosen who is fit to govern the church -- someone who can care for souls, maintain discipline, manage church property, and demonstrate proper devotion.

Book XIII, Letter 5 To Etherius, Bishop of Lugdunum (Lyons). Gregory to Etherius, Bishop. Although what we say is very distressing to us, and fraternal compassion rather moves us to weep than allows us to lay down anything concerning the things we have heard of, yet solicitude for the government undertaken by us pricks our heart with an urgent spur to see with great care to the good of churches, and to arrange what should be done before their interests might possibly suffer irretrievably. It has come, then, to our ears from the report of certain persons that an affection of the head has so befallen a certain bishop that it is a matter of groaning and weeping to hear of what he is wont to do under alienation of mind. Lest, therefore, while the shepherd is sick, the flock should be exposed to be torn by the teeth of the lyer-in-wait (which God forbid), or the interests of the Church itself should suffer irretrievably, it is necessary for us to treat the case with cautious provision. And so, since during the life of a bishop, whom unavoidable infirmity and not crime withdraws from his office, no reason allows another to be ordained in his place except on his resignation , let him, if he is accustomed to have intervals of sanity, himself make petition, declaring that he is no longer equal to this ministry owing to subversion of his intellectual faculties by infirmity, and let him request that another be ordained in his place. Which being done, let another who may be worthy be solemnly consecrated bishop in his place, by the election of all; yet so that, as long as life shall retain the said bishop in this world, his due expenses be supplied to him by the same Church. If, however, he at no time recovers the faculties of a sound mind, a trustworthy person of approved life must be chosen, who may be fit for the government of the Church, take thought for the benefit of souls, restrain the unquiet under the bond of discipline, take care of ecclesiastical property, and exhibit himself in all respects ripe and efficient. And also, should he survive the bishop who is now sick, he should be consecrated in his place. But as to ordinations of presbyters or deacons, or of any other order, if cause requires any to be made in that Church, know that this is to be reserved to your Fraternity, to the end that, it being in your diocese, you may enquire concerning the life, manners, and conduct of him who is chosen to such office. And if you should be satisfied, and there is nothing in him liable to the censure of canonical strictness, let him attain to his destined order not otherwise than through ordination by you. Let your Fraternity then, so proceed, and so order these things with vigilant provision, that the Church of God may no longer suffer from any neglect, and that you may warn your fellow priests, not only by word but also by example, to have a care laudably for venerable places. 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/360213005.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.