Letter 8015: We are most grateful that you have accepted our grandfather of glorious memory's judgment in the election of a bishop.

We are most grateful that you have accepted our grandfather of glorious memory's judgment in the election of a bishop. It was right to obey the decision of a good prince who, deliberating wisely -- even in a religion not his own [Theoderic was an Arian Christian, while the Roman Senate followed Nicene/Catholic Christianity] -- was seen to have chosen such a pontiff that no one could reasonably object. Recognize that his chief desire was for the faith of all churches to flourish under good priests. You have received a man commended both by divine grace and by royal examination. Let no one cling to the old rivalry. There is no shame in losing when your preference is overruled by a prince. Indeed, the man who embraces the chosen bishop with a pure heart makes that choice his own. For what cause is there for grief, when you find in this man the very qualities you wished for in the other? These were civic contests -- a battle without weapons, a quarrel without hatred. The matter is settled with shouts, not with suffering. Even though one candidate was set aside, nothing is lost to the faithful when the desired priesthood is achieved. Therefore, as your envoy the distinguished Publianus returns, we have thought it fitting to send a letter of greeting to your assembly. We take great delight whenever we exchange words with our leading men. And we have no doubt that you too find it most pleasant to know that what you did at our grandfather's command is also pleasing to us.

XV. SENATUI URBIS ROMAE ATHALARICUS REX. [1] Gratissimum nostro profitemur animo, quod gloriosi domni avi nostri respondistis in episcopatus electione iudicio. oportebat enim arbitrio boni principis oboediri, qui sapienti deliberatione pertractans, quamvis in aliena religione, talem visus est pontificem delegisse, ut nulli merito debeat displicere, ut agnoscatis illum hoc optasse praecipue, quatenus bonis sacerdotibus ecclesiarum omnium religio pullularet. recepistis itaque virum et divina gratia probabiliter institutum et regali examinatione laudatum. [2] Nullus adhuc pristina contentione teneatur. pudoren non habet victi, cuius votum contingit a principe superari. ille quim immo suum efficit, qui eum sub puritate dilexerit. nam quae sit causa doloris, quando hoc et in isto reperit, quod alteri in partem ductus optavit? civica sunt ista certamina, pugna sine ferro, rixa sine odio: clamoribus, non doloribus res ista peragitur. nam etsi persona summota sit, nihil tamen a fidelibus amittitur, cum optatum sacerdotium possidetur. [3] Quapropter redeunte legato vestro inlustri viro Publiano rationabile duximus ad coetum vestrum salutationis apices destinare. magna enim iucunditate perfruimur, quotiens cum nostris proceribus verba miscemus. et hoc quoque suavissimum vobis minime dubitamus, si quod illius fecistis imperio, nobis etiam cognoscitis esse gratiosum.