Letter 9031

**From:** Gregory I, Bishop of Rome **To:** Romanus, Defensor **Date:** ~599 AD **Context:** Instructs that ecclesiastical protection (patrocinium) should not be extended to everyone indiscriminately. I want to address a problem that has come to my attention regarding the extension of church protection to those who seek it. The Church's protection is not unlimited or unconditional — we cannot place our patronage behind every person who requests it without regard to the merits of their case or the justice of the cause. Be selective. Those who are genuinely in need of protection from unjust treatment should receive it. Those who are using the Church's name to escape legitimate accountability should not. Use your judgment carefully.

AD ROMANOM DEFENSOREM. Ecelesiaslica patrocinia non omnibus indiscrete impen- | denda. Gregorius Romaio defensori. Pervenit ad nos quia quidam homines minorem emnimodo discretionem tenentes, in SUis nos periculis implieari desiderant, alque ita volunt * ab ecclesias- ticis personis deſendi, ut ipsx quoque pers0ne- ec- clesiastice ex eorum culpa teneantur. Idcirco proce senti te przxceptione admoneo, et per te ſratrem et coepiscopum nostrum domnunm Joannem, vel caxteros qui interesse possuntl ; ut patrocinia ecclesiastica, sive mea SusCipiatis scripla, sive etiam minime ſuerint di- qualenus (Grat. 14, q. 6, c. 3) si qui in furlis publicis implicati sunl, a nobis-non videantur injuste deſendi ne opinionem male agentium ex indiscretz deſensio- Nis ausu in nos ullo modo Lransſeramus ; 8ed quantunt decet Ecclesiam, admonendo, verbum intercessionis adhibendo, quibus valetis succurrite, ut et illis opem ſeraltis, et opinionem 8anclz, Ecclesiz non inquine- lis Þ. (Cf. Joan. Diac, l. rv, e. 56.)