Letter 14004: Such things about our brother and fellow bishop Exhilaratus, as you yourself also know, have come to our ears as ought by all means to be visited with severe punishment. But, since it has been smoothed over by our most reverend brother and fellow bishop Leo , who has also declared that he was judge in that case, we have thought it fit that he [i...

Gregory to Fantinus, Defender of Panormus. Such reports have reached our ears about our brother and fellow bishop Exhilaratus -- as you yourself are also aware -- that they ought by all means to be met with severe punishment. However, since our most reverend brother and fellow bishop Leo has smoothed the matter over, declaring that he himself served as judge in the case, we have thought it appropriate to send Exhilaratus back to his Church. We consider that the punishment we have already inflicted on him by keeping him here for so long may be sufficient. We therefore direct Your Experience to keep a close watch on his conduct and behavior, and to admonish him frequently. He must show himself attentive in extending kind charity to his clergy and, when the need arises, in correcting faults. But we also want you to admonish his clergy: they are to show him humility and the obedience the Lord commands, and they must not presume in any way to behave arrogantly toward him. If anyone -- whether bishop or cleric -- disregards your admonition, you are to correct the sin of disobedience either by canonical discipline as you see fit, or else report to us promptly, so that we can arrange for the rein of discipline to keep on the right road those whom the goad of evil inclination drives toward transgression.

Book XIV, Letter 4 To Fantinus, Guardian (Defensorem) of Panormus. Gregory to Fantinus, etc. Such things about our brother and fellow bishop Exhilaratus, as you yourself also know, have come to our ears as ought by all means to be visited with severe punishment. But, since it has been smoothed over by our most reverend brother and fellow bishop Leo , who has also declared that he was judge in that case, we have thought it fit that he [i.e. Exhilaratus] should be sent back to his Church, considering that what we have inflicted on him by keeping him here so long may be enough for him. Therefore we enjoin your Experience to pay attention to his manners and deeds, and to admonish him frequently, to the end that he may show himself solicitous in extending kind charity to his clerks (clericis), and, should need require, in correcting faults. But we desire you also to admonish his clergy that they exhibit humility towards him, and the obedience which the Lord commands, nor in any respect presume to behave proudly with regard to him. And if any one of them, that is, either bishop or clerk, should disregard your admonition, do thou, under this authority from us, either correct the sin of disobedience by canonical coercion, as you see fit, or make haste to send a report to us, that we may be able to arrange how the rein of discipline may keep from going off their road those whom the goad of evil inclination provokes to transgression. About this page Source. Translated by James Barmby. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 13. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1898.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360214004.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is feedback732 at newadvent.org. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.