Letter 10012: Gregory to Fortunatus, bishop of Naples.

Gregory to Fortunatus, bishop of Naples. The abbot Fuscus and the monastery he governs have come to my attention, and I commend both to your oversight and protection. A monastery near Naples that serves God faithfully deserves the support of its bishop. I ask you to be that support — to be available when the abbot needs counsel, to protect the monastery's property and rights when they are threatened, and to give the community the episcopal oversight it needs. This is part of what a bishop does: not only governing the parish churches and settling disputes among clergy, but nurturing the monasteries in his diocese and helping them fulfill their purpose. Gregory

AD FORTUNATUM NEAPOLITANUM EPISCOPUM. Fuscum abbatem, et monasterium ejus commendat. Gregorins Fortunato episcopo Neapolitano. Quamvis et ratio et loci 8vi qualitas ſraternilatem vestram commoneat tuitionem monasteriis, et maxi- me $s1bþ se constitntis, impendere, verumlamen quia lator prasentium Fuscus abbas suum a nobis voluit ex abundanti monasterium commendari; his vos hortamur affatibus, nt quia frusira monasterium ipsum inquietudine * advenientium asserit laborare, Sanctitatis vestrz illud deſensio tueatur, ct ab aliquo illud gravari contra ralionis ordinem non permiltat, quatenvs dam nullum id injustz rei pondus afſlixe- rit, et vos Videamini quod sacerdotis est salubriter impendisse, et degens illic congregatio, quz in Dei laudibus YOSQ occupatur, nullis irrationabiliter molestiis valeat subjacere.