Letter 1050: Even as, through the ordering of God as it has pleased Him, we have received the place of government, so ought we to be solicitous for the souls committed to us. Now we find that in the Eumorphian island , in which, as is well known, there is an oratory of the blessed Peter, Prince of the Apostles, a large number of men with their wives from var...
Pope Gregory the Great→Anthemius|c. 590 AD|Pope Gregory the Great|Human translated
Book I, Letter 50
To Anthemius the Subdeacon [Gregory's administrative agent].
Gregory to Anthemius.
Since God has seen fit to place the burden of governance upon us, we must be watchful for the souls entrusted to our care. We have learned that on the Eumorphian island [a small island off the Italian coast], where there is a well-known chapel of the blessed Peter, Prince of the Apostles, a large number of men and their wives from various estates have fled there seeking refuge from barbarian attacks [Lombard raids]. We consider this arrangement problematic: since there are other places of refuge nearby, women should not be living alongside monks.
We therefore direct you by this order to allow no woman from this point forward -- whether under church jurisdiction or any other -- to take up residence or remain there. Let them find their own place of refuge (there being, as noted, many in the area) wherever they choose, so that all mixing of women with the monks is ended. If we fail to take every precaution and guard against the enemy's temptations, we would become responsible (God forbid) for any misconduct.
Do not delay in providing Abbot Felix, the bearer of this letter, with fifteen hundred pounds of lead, which he needs for the island. Charge this to your accounts once the full amount is confirmed. Also see whether any of it can be usefully applied to building projects on the island.
Since monastic communities on the islands face hardship, we forbid boys under eighteen years of age from being admitted to these monasteries. If any are there now, remove them and send them to Rome. Enforce this on Palmaria [another island] and the other islands as well.
Book I, Letter 50
To Anthemius the Subdeacon.
Gregory to Anthemius, etc.
Even as, through the ordering of God as it has pleased Him, we have received the place of government, so ought we to be solicitous for the souls committed to us. Now we find that in the Eumorphian island , in which, as is well known, there is an oratory of the blessed Peter, Prince of the Apostles, a large number of men with their wives from various patrimonies have fled to it for refuge, through stress of barbarian ferocity. This we consider inexpedient: for, there being other places of refuge near at hand, why should women have their abode there with monks? Wherefore we enjoin your Experience by this present order from this time forward to allow no woman, whether she be under ecclesiastical jurisdiction or any other, to take up her abode or tarry there; but let them provide for themselves a place of refuge (there being, as has been said above, so many in the neighbourhood) wherever they may choose; so that all intercourse with women may henceforth be put an end to; lest, if we should desist from taking all the care we can, and guarding against the snares of the enemy, we henceforth (which God forbid) should be culpable in case of anything wrong taking place. Delay not, therefore, to give to the abbot Felix, the bearer of these presents, one thousand five hundred pounds of lead, which he is known to be in want of in the same island, which may be charged afterwards in your accounts, when the whole quantity shall be known. So proceed, then, that you may provide yourself with some, if any can be profitably used for the buildings of the same island. Moreover, since congregations of monks in the islands are exposed to hardship, we forbid boys under eighteen years of age to be received into these monasteries. Or, if there are any now there, let your Experience remove them, and send them to the city of Rome. We desire you in all respects to observe this in Palmaria also and the other islands.
◆
Book I, Letter 50
To Anthemius the Subdeacon [Gregory's administrative agent].
Gregory to Anthemius.
Since God has seen fit to place the burden of governance upon us, we must be watchful for the souls entrusted to our care. We have learned that on the Eumorphian island [a small island off the Italian coast], where there is a well-known chapel of the blessed Peter, Prince of the Apostles, a large number of men and their wives from various estates have fled there seeking refuge from barbarian attacks [Lombard raids]. We consider this arrangement problematic: since there are other places of refuge nearby, women should not be living alongside monks.
We therefore direct you by this order to allow no woman from this point forward -- whether under church jurisdiction or any other -- to take up residence or remain there. Let them find their own place of refuge (there being, as noted, many in the area) wherever they choose, so that all mixing of women with the monks is ended. If we fail to take every precaution and guard against the enemy's temptations, we would become responsible (God forbid) for any misconduct.
Do not delay in providing Abbot Felix, the bearer of this letter, with fifteen hundred pounds of lead, which he needs for the island. Charge this to your accounts once the full amount is confirmed. Also see whether any of it can be usefully applied to building projects on the island.
Since monastic communities on the islands face hardship, we forbid boys under eighteen years of age from being admitted to these monasteries. If any are there now, remove them and send them to Rome. Enforce this on Palmaria [another island] and the other islands as well.
Human translation — New Advent (NPNF / ANF series)