Letter 1035: Joseph, a Jew, the bearer of these presents, has informed us that, the Jews dwelling in the camp of Terracina having been accustomed to assemble in a certain place for celebrating their festivities, your Fraternity had expelled them thence, and that they had migrated, and this with your knowledge and consent, to another place for in like manner ...
Book I, Letter 35
To Peter, Bishop of Terracina [a coastal town south of Rome].
Gregory to Peter.
Joseph, a Jew and the bearer of this letter, has informed us that the Jewish community living near Terracina had been accustomed to gather at a certain place to celebrate their religious observances. Your Fraternity expelled them from that place. They then moved -- with your knowledge and consent -- to another location for the same purpose. Now they complain that they have been expelled from this second place as well.
If this is true, we want your Fraternity to stop giving them cause for such complaints. Let them be allowed, as has been the custom, to gather at the place they obtained with your consent for their meetings. Those who disagree with the Christian faith need to be drawn toward the unity of faith through gentleness, kindness, instruction, and persuasion -- not driven away by threats and intimidation. People who might have been attracted to belief by the appeal of preaching and the sobering thought of future judgment should not be repelled by force.
It is better that they come to hear the word of God from you willingly, rather than becoming frightened by excessive harshness.
Human translation — New Advent (NPNF / ANF series)
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