Letter 10084

From: Gregory the Great, Pope, in Rome To: Innocentius, prefect of Africa Date: ~600 AD Context: Gregory rejoices at Innocentius's appointment out of affection, but grieves at the weight of the provincial problems he will face. Gregory to Innocentius, prefect of Africa. I have two feelings about your appointment as prefect of Africa, and I want to be honest about both. The first is genuine joy. I know you and respect you, and the knowledge that a man of your character and ability will be governing Africa is a source of real consolation. The province needs good governance desperately. The second is genuine concern. Africa's problems are severe — the church there is struggling, the province has suffered from the Vandal period, and the administrative challenges are formidable. I would not want my affection for you to lead me to celebrate your appointment without acknowledging what you are walking into. So: congratulations, and God help you. Take care of yourself. Take care of the church there. And write to me when things are difficult. Gregory

AD INNOCENTIUM AFRICE PRAEFECTUM, De Innocentii praſectura gaudet ex dilectione ; dolet er gravitate muneris, quam ill: tern mercedis 0c- casionem fieri peroptat. Factas indicat cum Lango- bardorum rege inducias. Suos in J0b postulanti lou- dat Augustini libros. De protecto Romane LEcelesi patrimonio gratias agit. Gregorius lunocentio * Aſrice prelecto. Luculenta eminentie vestre, et copdita cordis melle ſacundia ita Sui nobis saporem wedullitus in- fudit, et in $u0 amore nos rapuit, ut nobis et dulce Ssonel quod $cribitis, et Sapiat Suave quod agilis ; nee iiamerito, quia qui bonis $tudiis comptus est, judicio magnus est, non fayore. > Prefecture autem yos Suscepisse cingula cagnoscentes, lelitie se miscuit nostr.c trislitia. Nam ex una parle lztati de pro- vectu dnlcissimi (lii, contristati sumus ab altera, quia quam graye sit conſusis temporibus locis majo- ribus es8e pra:positos, ex no&ro prorsns dolore sen- timus. Unde omnino studendum est ut res a-pera fiat mercedis occasia. Nam, sicut nostis, de terra plena carduis ſrumentum egreditur, et de spinis ro- 8a prodncitur. Dum ergo $eminandi yobis congruum tempus est, honorum operum $erere Semina non Cces- $etis, ut majores in die messis letitie manipnlos re- C Portetis, atque ad zternam -gloriam ex transi!orii honoris merito veniatis. Cognoseentes igitur quale studinum in praparandis © dromonihns gesseritis, $s0llicitudinem vestram, .de- Siderato nuntio, relevamus, indicantes cum Lango- bardorum rege usque ad mensem Martium ſuture quartze indictionis , de pace, propitiante Domino , convenisse. Quz si retineatur ignoramus, quia idem rex 0hiisse postea nuntiatus est, licet adhuc habea- tur in:ertum. | De Anamundaro autem quz S$cripsistis fecimus, Sed voluntatem utinam $sequalur effectus quia quan- Codicis nota hc eadem manuscripta esl : quia epige copus pre@ſecturam 8usceperut contristatur. Ad episco- pun non esse $sCcriptam hanc epistolam legenti pale» bit, modo in Gregorianis epistolis peregrinus non SIL. Stolus, Gall., une flollte vautixes G70)05, Navales Copies GUSSANY. SANCTI GREGORII MAGNI tum ad nos pertinet, aſflictis intercessionis nostrz A illis ſuerint promissa serventur , quatenus nec aliis solatium non negamus. (uod vero in expositionem 8ancti Job transmitii vobis codicem voluistis, de vesiro omnino studio gaudemus : Studere conspicimus, quz nec tlolos ſoras vos exire permittat, et ad cor iterum £zxcularibus curis disper- 80s recolligat. Sed si delicioso cupitis pabulo sagina- ri, beati Auguslini patriot vestri opuscula legite, et ad comparationem « siliginis illius nostrum ſurſurem non quzratis. | Quale przterea patrocinium , qualemque affectum in vtilitatibus pauperum beati Petri apostolorum principis LOGS amatoris sui gloria vestra prebue- rit, Hilaro chartulario nostro lestificante Gdicimus. Ex qua re uberes gratias exsolventes omnipotentis exterius, nec malignos $piritus interius przxvalere permitiat; sed ita actiones vestras in $u0 propitius timore disponat, ut sicut ſecit inter homines, ita quoque post longzvze ztatis- discursus in Sanctorum Suorum vos esse ſaciat numero gloriosos. (Cf. Jcan Diac. |. 1v, c. T8.)