Letter 4051

From: Gregory the Great, Pope, in Rome To: Peter and Providentia, bishops Date: ~594 AD Context: Gregory writes jointly to two bishops on a matter of ecclesiastical oversight. Gregory to his most reverend brothers Peter and Providentia, bishops. I am writing to you jointly because the matter at hand falls within both your jurisdictions, and I want to ensure that your response is coordinated rather than working at cross-purposes. The situation requires both of you to apply your episcopal authority in a consistent way. I have described the specifics separately; what I emphasize here is the principle: where two bishops share oversight of a situation, they should communicate with each other, agree on a course of action, and present a consistent response. Divided or contradictory episcopal action creates confusion and is easily exploited by those who prefer the matter to remain unresolved. Coordinate with each other, then act. Gregory

AD PETRUM ET PROVIDENTIUM EPISCOPOS., Scribit de fide eis 8atisſacturum 5e, promiltitque Romam venienlibus nullam molesliam illalui un. Gregorius Petro et * Providentio episcopis Istrizx. Deus, qui lztatur in unitate fidelium, et revelat gquzrentibus veritatem , cordi vesiro, dilectissimi fratres, aperiat quanto vos desiderio in gremio cu- piam sanctzze univer-alis Ecclesiz contineri, et in ejus manere unitate concordes. Quod fore non du- bito, $i, abjecto contentionis stimulo, satisfieri vobis veraciter de his quibus est duhietas intendatis. Re- meantis autem Castorii notarii mei relatione edo- ctus Sum ſraterai:atem vestram ad me h:bere desi- derium veniendi, si promissum fuerit quia nullam molestiam sustinebit, Hoc ego cognoscens ct opto, el 8uccensus ardore charitaiis invito, ut ad me ve- niendi debeatis laborem assumere, quatenus pariter conſerentes, quz vera et Redemptori nostro sunt placita, et communiter loquamur, et modis omnibus teneamus. J7Y9 Ego vero, divine proteciionis gra- tia suffragante, satisfacere vobis de quibus dubitatis Rhem., etc., cum in Editis legatur : Quia eos $0= lummodo invenio, quos ex ejusdem partiibus Codices, quos jam monasteriis dedi, excerpsi. (Quid intricatius et obscurius ? Eerisr. L [Af. 48]. — * In muliis et melioribus Codicibus omittitur de Regio. Vul.ani domus et Vulcania nomine tellus. Eeisr., Li | Al. 44]. — * Sic 2p; elatur hic episcopus in omnibus Vatic., Anglic., Norim., Tel- mentia quod ita vobis satisſactio mea interius inha- rebit, ut nihil charitati vesire de c#tero possit au- biguum remanere. Nam illa quz $anciis8ima qua- tuor synodi Sapuerunt atque delinierunt, Siculti prxdecessor noster sanclissimus Leo papa, ita et nos $apimus, Sequimur, ac tenemus, nec ab earum ide aliquo modo dissentimus. Sed quia plus persona presens quam epistola $alisſacit, hortor, dilelissimi ſraires, ut ad me venire, sicut przxſatus sum, debea- tis, dummodo ratione percepla a concordia Sancl® universalis Ecclesiz dissensio vos nulla dissociet. Hoc tamen certa sit vestra charitas, quia - vos -et cum afſectu quo decet suscipio, et cum gratia re- laxabo. Nec aliquam vos vel quoscunque alios, qui B pro hac ad me causa venire voluerint, afflictionem vel molesliam sustinere > promitto. Sed seu ad con- Sentienduin mihi cor vesirum misericordia divina compunxerit, s:ve, quod absit, in ea vos durare dis- sensione contigerit, ad propria vos remeare quando volueritis, juxta promissionem meam Sine legsione vel molestia relaxare curabimus, © Mense Augusto, indictione 13. (Cf. Joan. Diac. |. , n, 37.)