Letter 1079: Source. Translated by James Barmby. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol.
Pope Gregory the Great→Martinus, in Corsica|c. 590 AD|gregory great
barbarian invasionillness
Book I, Letter 79
To Martinus, Bishop in Corsica.
Gregory to Martinus.
When people ask for what is just, we should listen with a willing ear, so that petitioners may find the remedy they hope for and the Church is not left without a shepherd's care.
Since the church of Tanates [a town in Corsica], where Your Fraternity formerly held episcopal office, has been so seized and ruined by hostile invaders [likely Lombard or Saracen raiders] that there is no hope of your returning there, we appoint you by this letter as the permanent bishop of the Church of Saona, which has long been deprived of a bishop's guidance.
Arrange and order all things there according to canon law [church rules] with vigilant care and love of God, so that Your Fraternity may rejoice in having found a new home, and the Church of God may be filled with joy at having received you as its bishop.
Book I, Letter 79
To Martinus, Bishop in Corsica.
Gregory to Martinus, etc.
To those who ask for what is just it behooves us to lend a kindly ear, to the end both that the petitioners may find the remedies they hope for, and that the anxious care of a shepherd be not wanting to the Church. And inasmuch as the church of Tanates, in which your Fraternity was formerly adorned with sacerdotal dignity, has for its sins been so taken possession of and ruined by hostile savagery that no further hope remains of your returning there, we appoint you, by authority of these presents, undisputed cardinal priest in the Church of Saona, which has now been long deprived of the aid of a pontiff. Do thou therefore so arrange and order all things according to the injunctions of the canons with vigilant care in the love of God, that both your Fraternity may rejoice in having attained your desires, and the Church of God may be filled with answering joy for having received you as Cardinal pontiff.
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Source. Translated by James Barmby. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 12. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1895.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360201079.htm>.
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Book I, Letter 79
To Martinus, Bishop in Corsica.
Gregory to Martinus.
When people ask for what is just, we should listen with a willing ear, so that petitioners may find the remedy they hope for and the Church is not left without a shepherd's care.
Since the church of Tanates [a town in Corsica], where Your Fraternity formerly held episcopal office, has been so seized and ruined by hostile invaders [likely Lombard or Saracen raiders] that there is no hope of your returning there, we appoint you by this letter as the permanent bishop of the Church of Saona, which has long been deprived of a bishop's guidance.
Arrange and order all things there according to canon law [church rules] with vigilant care and love of God, so that Your Fraternity may rejoice in having found a new home, and the Church of God may be filled with joy at having received you as its bishop.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.