Letter 1033: Even though there were no immediate cause for writing to your Excellency, yet we ought to show solicitude for your health and safety so as to learn through frequent intercommunication what we desire to hear about you. Besides, it has come to our knowledge that Blandus, bishop of the city of Hortanum , has been detained now for a long time by you...

Book I, Letter 33 To Romanus, Patrician and Exarch of Italy [the Emperor's chief military and civil representative in Italy, based in Ravenna]. Gregory to Romanus. Even without an immediate reason to write, we ought to stay in touch about your health and safety through regular correspondence, so we can hear the news we hope for about you. Beyond that, it has come to our attention that Blandus, bishop of the city of Hortanum [Orte, a town in central Italy], has been detained by Your Excellency in Ravenna for a long time now. As a result, his church is decaying without a leader, the people are without a shepherd, and -- worst of all -- infants there are dying without baptism. Since we do not believe Your Excellency detained him without some probable cause, a synod [church council] should be held to examine whatever charge is brought against him. If a fault is found serious enough to warrant his removal from the priesthood, we must find another to be ordained in his place, so that the Church of God is not left abandoned and deprived of what Christian faith requires. But if Your Excellency finds the situation is not as reported, I ask you to allow him to return to his church so he may fulfill his duty to the souls in his care. The month of March; the ninth Indiction [591 AD].

Book I, Letter 33 To Romanus, Patrician, and Exarch of Italy. Gregory to Romanus, etc. Even though there were no immediate cause for writing to your Excellency, yet we ought to show solicitude for your health and safety so as to learn through frequent intercommunication what we desire to hear about you. Besides, it has come to our knowledge that Blandus, bishop of the city of Hortanum , has been detained now for a long time by your Excellency in the city of Ravenna. And the result is that the Church decays, being without a ruler, and the people as being without a shepherd; and infants there, for their sins, die without baptism. And again, since we do not believe that your Excellency has detained him except on the ground of some probable transgression, it is proper that a synod should be held to bring to light any crime that is charged against him. And, if such fault is found in him as to lead to his degradation from the priesthood, it is necessary that we should look out for another to be ordained, lest the Church of God should remain untended, and destitute in what the Christian religion does not allow it to be without. But, if your Excellency should perceive that the case is otherwise with him than it is said to be, allow him, I pray you, to return to his church, that he may fulfil his duty to the souls committed to his charge. The month of March; the ninth Indiction.