Letter 6055: Gregory to Protasius, Bishop of Aquæ in Gaul (Aix). How great love of the blessed Peter, Prince of the apostles, distinguishes you is evident, not only from the prerogative of your office, but also from the devotion you bestow on what is to the advantage of his Church. And having learned that this is the case from the relation of Augustine, serv...
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Gregory to Protasius, Bishop of Aix in Gaul.
How great a love for the blessed Peter, Prince of the Apostles, distinguishes you is evident not only from the privilege of your office but also from the devotion you bring to whatever serves the advantage of his Church. Having learned this from the account given by Augustine, servant of God and bearer of these presents, we rejoice greatly at the affection and zeal for truth that is in you; and we give thanks that, though absent in body, you still show that you are with us in heart and mind, displaying toward us the brotherly charity that is fitting. So that fact may confirm the good report of you, ask our brother and fellow bishop Virgilius to hand over to us the revenues which his predecessor received over many years and retained in his own hands — for these are the property of the poor. And if, as we do not believe will happen, he should seek in any way to excuse himself, you — who know the true facts more precisely, having served as administrator at that time — explain the matter to him and urge him not to keep in his own hands what belongs to Saint Peter and to his poor. Even if perhaps our men may not need your testimony, do not withhold it; so that, both for truth's sake and in testimony to the devotion of your good will, the blessed Apostle Peter, for love of whom you do this, may respond to you through his intercession both in this life and in the life to come.
We warmly commend to your Holiness the priest Candidus, our common son, to whom we have entrusted the management of this patrimony.
Book VI, Letter 55
To Protasius, Bishop.
Gregory to Protasius, Bishop of Aquæ in Gaul (Aix).
How great love of the blessed Peter, Prince of the apostles, distinguishes you is evident, not only from the prerogative of your office, but also from the devotion you bestow on what is to the advantage of his Church. And having learned that this is the case from the relation of Augustine, servant of God, the bearer of these presents, we rejoice exceedingly for the affection and zeal for truth that is in you; and we give thanks that, though absent in the body, you still show that you are with us in heart and mind, seeing that you exhibit brotherly charity towards us, as is fit. In order then that actual fact may confirm the good report of you, tell our brother and fellow bishop Virgilius to hand over to us the payments which his predecessor received for many years and retained in his own hands: for it is the property of the poor. And if perchance, as we do not believe will be the case, he should desire in any way to excuse himself, do you, who know the real truth more exactly, inasmuch as you acted as steward (vicedominus) at that time, explain to him how the matter stands, and urge him not to retain in his hands the property of Saint Peter and of his poor. But, though perhaps our men may not need this, do not refuse your testimony in the case; that so, with regard to the truth as well as to the devotion of your good will, the blessed apostle Peter, for whose love you do this, may respond to you by his intercession both here and in the life to come. We heartily commend to your Holiness the presbyter Candidus, our common son, to whom we have committed the charge of this patrimony.
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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/360206055.htm>.
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Gregory to Protasius, Bishop of Aix in Gaul.
How great a love for the blessed Peter, Prince of the Apostles, distinguishes you is evident not only from the privilege of your office but also from the devotion you bring to whatever serves the advantage of his Church. Having learned this from the account given by Augustine, servant of God and bearer of these presents, we rejoice greatly at the affection and zeal for truth that is in you; and we give thanks that, though absent in body, you still show that you are with us in heart and mind, displaying toward us the brotherly charity that is fitting. So that fact may confirm the good report of you, ask our brother and fellow bishop Virgilius to hand over to us the revenues which his predecessor received over many years and retained in his own hands — for these are the property of the poor. And if, as we do not believe will happen, he should seek in any way to excuse himself, you — who know the true facts more precisely, having served as administrator at that time — explain the matter to him and urge him not to keep in his own hands what belongs to Saint Peter and to his poor. Even if perhaps our men may not need your testimony, do not withhold it; so that, both for truth's sake and in testimony to the devotion of your good will, the blessed Apostle Peter, for love of whom you do this, may respond to you through his intercession both in this life and in the life to come.
We warmly commend to your Holiness the priest Candidus, our common son, to whom we have entrusted the management of this patrimony.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.