Letter 12035

**From:** Gregory I, Bishop of Rome **To:** Desiderius, Bishop of Vienne **Date:** ~602 AD **Context:** Instructs him not to send Deacon Pancratius away. I have heard that there is some difficulty with Pancratius the deacon, and I want to be clear: do not send him away. Whatever the disagreement or complaint, the answer is not to expel him from his position without proper process. If there are genuine concerns about his conduct, they should be investigated through proper channels. Summary dismissal is not the right approach, and I will not countenance it. Deal with this matter as it should be dealt with — carefully and justly.

AD DESIDERIUM VIENNENSEM eFscoyun. Ne Pancratium diaconum suum a monaslica vita revocet. Gregorius Desiderio episcopo in Gallia. Pancratius lator prxsentium, ut asserit, diaconus, * apostolorum $e liminibus reprzgentans', a nobis cipatus. Unde, divina inspiratione compunctus, gra- - liam monastice conversationis appeliit, illicque in eodem quem $sumpsit babitu desiderans permanere, etiam diaconum se cjusdem monasterii ſactum esse commemorat. De cujus loci servitio avelli nulla pa- litur ratione. Nunc vero, quantum asserit, fraterni- las vestra non quidem impedientis intentu, sed af- ſectu benevolentiz, in officio eum suz vult Eccle- 82 revocare. Hortamur jgitur ut tam promptze de- votioni ejus, quam in $ancto studet habere propo- ito, minime vestra $it impedimento fraternitas; magis autem quibus valetis adhortationibus pasto- rali admonitione 1 20G +<uccendite, ut fervor hujus desiderii in eo non tepescat ; ut qui, a turbulento cu- rnrum s2cularium tumultu se Segregans, quietis de- Siderio portum monaslerii appetiit, rursum in eccle- 8alubriter hzc citius valeant que $ibi ipjugcta- sunt ad effectum, * Deo auctore, perducere.