Letter 9017: Gregory to Demetrian and Valerian, clerks of Firmum (Fermo). Both the ordinances of the sacred canons and legal authority permit that ecclesiastical property may be lawfully expended for the redemption of captives. And so, since we are informed by you that, nearly eighteen years ago, the most reverend Fabius, late bishop of the Church of Firmum,...

Gregory to Demetrian and Valerian, clergy of Firmum [Fermo, in central Italy]. Both the sacred canons and civil law allow church property to be used for the ransom of captives. Here are the facts of your case: nearly eighteen years ago, the most reverend Fabius, the late bishop of the church of Firmum, paid eleven pounds of the church's silver to the enemy to ransom you, your father Passivus -- now our brother and fellow bishop, but then a cleric -- and your mother. You are worried that someone might one day try to recover that money from you. By the authority of this decree, I put that fear to rest. Neither you nor your heirs shall face any future claim for repayment. No one may bring proceedings against you on this account. The rule of fairness requires that money spent for a pious purpose not become a burden or source of distress to the very people it was spent to save.

Book IX, Letter 17 To Demetrian and Valerian. Gregory to Demetrian and Valerian, clerks of Firmum (Fermo). Both the ordinances of the sacred canons and legal authority permit that ecclesiastical property may be lawfully expended for the redemption of captives. And so, since we are informed by you that, nearly eighteen years ago, the most reverend Fabius, late bishop of the Church of Firmum, paid to the enemy eleven pounds of the silver of that Church for your redemption, and that of your father Passivus, now our brother and fellow bishop, but then a clerk, and also that of your mother, and that you have some fear on this account, lest what was given should at any time be sought to be recovered from you — we have thought fit by the authority of this precept to remove your suspicion, ordaining that you and your heirs shall henceforth sustain no annoyance for recovery of the debt, and that no process shall be instituted against you by any one; since the rule of equity requires that what has been paid with a pious intent should not be attended with burden or distress to those who have been redeemed. 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/360209017.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.