Letter 1001: Gregory, servant of the servants of God, to all the bishops constituted throughout Sicily. We have clearly seen, just as our predecessors did, that we should commit your affairs to one and the same person; and that our authority should be represented through him to whom we send our instructions, where we cannot be present ourselves. And so, with...

Book I, Letter 1 To all the Bishops of Sicily. Gregory, servant of the servants of God, to all the bishops throughout Sicily. Following the example of our predecessors, we've decided to entrust your affairs to a single representative who can act with our authority in places where we can't be present ourselves. Accordingly, with God's help, we've appointed Peter, subdeacon [a junior clergy member who managed church property] of our See [the papal administration in Rome], as our delegate in Sicily. We have no doubts about him — this is the same man we've already trusted with the management of our entire church patrimony [church-owned farmland estates]. We've also decided that all of you should meet annually, at Syracuse or Catania. Peter will make sure you receive the respect you're due. Together with him, you are to address with good judgment whatever concerns the welfare of the province's churches, the relief of the poor and oppressed, the instruction of the faithful, and the correction of anyone whose wrongdoing can be proved. When you come together as a council, come without grudges. Discord among God's priests is not a minor failing — it's something that cannot be tolerated. Let it end. Let there be harmony between you, and charity, so that your conduct proves you worthy of the men you are called to be. Handle everything with such care and composure that your meeting truly deserves to be called a bishop's council.

Book I, Letter 1 To all the Bishops of Sicily. Gregory, servant of the servants of God, to all the bishops constituted throughout Sicily. We have clearly seen, just as our predecessors did, that we should commit your affairs to one and the same person; and that our authority should be represented through him to whom we send our instructions, where we cannot be present ourselves. And so, with God's help we have appointed Peter, subdeacon of our See, our delegate in the province of Sicily. Nor can we doubt as to the conduct of him to whom, with God's help, we are known to have committed the charge of the whole patrimony of our church. We have also clearly seen that your entire Fraternity should assemble annually at Syracuse or Catania, receiving, as we have charged him, the honour due to you; to the end that, together with the aforesaid Peter, subdeacon of our See, you may settle with due discretion whatever things pertain to the advantage of the churches of the province, or to the relief of the necessities of the poor and oppressed, or to the admonition of all, and the correction of those whose transgressions may perhaps be proved. From which council far be animosities, which are the nutriment of crimes, and may inward grudges die away, and that discord of souls which is beyond measure execrable. Let concord well-pleasing to God, and charity, approve you as His priests. Conduct all things, therefore, with such deliberation and calmness that yours may most worthily be called an Episcopal Council. About this page 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/360201001.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.