Letter 3032: Gregory to Honoratus, Archdeacon of Salona. The mandates of ourselves and of our predecessor had reached your Love not long ago, in which thou were acquitted of the charges calumniously brought against you; and we ordered you to be reinstated without any dispute in the order of your rank. But, inasmuch as again after no great lapse of time, you ...

Book III, Letter 32 To Honoratus, Archdeacon of Salona [modern Split, Croatia]. Gregory to Honoratus, Archdeacon of Salona. Our instructions and those of our predecessor reached you not long ago, directing you to come to Rome so that the dispute between you and your bishop, Natalis, could be properly investigated and resolved. We have been waiting, and you have not come. This delay is unacceptable. Whatever your reasons, you must understand that this matter cannot be resolved unless both parties present themselves before us for a hearing. We need to hear your side as much as we need to hear the bishop's. We therefore direct you, upon receiving this letter, to make arrangements to come to Rome without further delay. Bring with you whatever documents and witnesses support your case. We promise you a fair hearing, conducted according to the strictest principles of justice and canonical procedure. Do not fear any retribution from your bishop for complying with our summons. You are under the protection of the Apostolic See, and we will ensure your safety. But you must cooperate with us -- justice cannot be done if you refuse to participate in the process designed to deliver it. Come to us promptly. Let us hear the truth from your own lips and bring this long-running dispute to a just conclusion.

Book III, Letter 32 To Honoratus, Archdeacon. Gregory to Honoratus, Archdeacon of Salona. The mandates of ourselves and of our predecessor had reached your Love not long ago, in which thou were acquitted of the charges calumniously brought against you; and we ordered you to be reinstated without any dispute in the order of your rank. But, inasmuch as again after no great lapse of time, you came to the city of Rome complaining of some improper proceedings among you concerning the alienation of sacred vessels, and as, while we had persons with us here who might have replied to your objections, Natalis, your bishop, departed this life, we have judged it necessary to confirm further by this present letter those same mandates, both our predecessor's and our own, which (as has been said) we sent not long ago for your acquittal. Wherefore, acquitting you fully of all the charges brought against you, we will that thou continue without any dispute in the rank of your order, so that the question raised by the aforesaid man may not on any pretext prejudice you in the least degree. Moreover, as to the heads of your complaint, we have strictly charged Antoninus, subdeacon and rector in your parts of the patrimony of holy Church over which, by God's providence, we preside, that, if he should find ecclesiastical persons implicated in them, he decide these cases with the utmost strictness and authority. But, in case of the business being with such persons as the vigour of ecclesiastical jurisdiction cannot reach, he is to deposit the proofs under each particular head among the public acts, and transmit them to us without any delay, that, being accurately informed, we may know how, with the help of Christ, to dispose of the matter. 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/360203032.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.