Letter 19

From: Ambrose, Bishop of Milan To: Vigilius, Bishop of Trent Date: ~385 AD Context: A pastoral letter to the newly consecrated Bishop Vigilius of Trent [Trento, in the Alpine region of northern Italy], advising him on how to govern his diocese and handle the mixed pagan-Christian population of his mountain territory. Ambrose to his brother Vigilius, Bishop of Trent — greetings in the Lord. My dear brother, you have been given a difficult see, and I write to encourage you as you begin your work. The mountains of your diocese are beautiful, but the faith in many of its valleys is shallow. Paganism lingers among the rural population [the Latin paganus literally means "country-dweller"; Christianity spread through cities first and reached rural areas last], and you will need patience as well as zeal. My first counsel: do not try to accomplish everything at once. Root out the most scandalous abuses — the open sacrifices, the sacred groves, the consultation of diviners — but do so through teaching before coercion. The gospel wins more hearts through persuasion than through force. Second: beware of marriages between Christians and pagans. Such unions almost always weaken the faith of the Christian partner rather than convert the pagan one. Discourage them firmly but compassionately. Third: train your clergy. A bishop is only as effective as his priests, and priests in remote mountain parishes can go years without proper instruction. Visit them. Examine their teaching. Ensure they understand the Creed and can explain it to their people. Fourth: be generous with the poor. The mountains produce harsh winters, and a bishop who feeds the hungry will win more converts than a bishop who merely preaches well. I have great hopes for you, brother. Trent is a gateway between Italy and the lands beyond the Alps, and a strong church there will be a beacon for both. Write to me when you can, and do not hesitate to ask for help. We are fellow servants in the same vineyard. Farewell in Christ.

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