Letter 2009: Gregory to the gentry and commonalty (ordini et plebi) residing at Naples. The communication you have addressed to us has made manifest what your opinion is of our brother and fellow bishop Paulus : and we congratulate you in that your experience of him for a few days has been such that you desire to have him as your cardinal bishop. But, since ...
Pope Gregory the Great→Neapolitans|c. 591 AD|Pope Gregory the Great|Human translated
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Book II, Letter 9
To the Neapolitans.
Gregory to the gentry and common people of Naples.
Your letter has made clear your opinion of our brother and fellow bishop Paul, and we congratulate you that your brief experience with him has been positive enough that you want him as your permanent bishop. But since matters of such importance should not be decided hastily, we will, with Christ's help, arrange what needs to be done after careful deliberation, while his character meanwhile becomes better known to you over time.
Therefore, most beloved children, if you truly love this man, obey him. Meet his wishes with devoted hearts and peaceful cooperation, so that the bonds of mutual charity may unite you so closely that the enemy who prowls around you in rage may find no opening to break your unity.
When we see the bishop Paul offering God the harvest of souls we long for, and with God's own approval, we will then do whatever divine inspiration suggests regarding his appointment and your desire.
Book II, Letter 9
To the Neapolitans.
Gregory to the gentry and commonalty (ordini et plebi) residing at Naples.
The communication you have addressed to us has made manifest what your opinion is of our brother and fellow bishop Paulus : and we congratulate you in that your experience of him for a few days has been such that you desire to have him as your cardinal bishop. But, since in matters of supreme importance there ought to be no hasty decision, so we, Christ helping us, will arrange after mature deliberation what is to be done hereafter, his character meanwhile, in course of time, having become better known to you.
Wherefore, most beloved sons, obey the aforesaid man, if you truly love him, and with devoted minds meet his wishes in peaceful concurrence, to the end that the affection of your mutual charity may so bind you to each other, that the enemy who flies about you raging may find no way through any of you for creeping in to break up your unanimity. Further, when we shall have perceived the aforesaid bishop offering to God the fruit of souls which we long for, God Himself also approving, we will do afterwards whatever divine inspiration may suggest to our heart, with regard to his person and to your desire.
Gregorius ordini et plebi consislenti Neapoli.
Quale ® de Paulo ſratre et coepiscopo nostro ha-
beat charitas vestra judicium, directa a vobis relatio
pateſecit. Quem quoniam ita eslis in paucis diebus
experli, ut eum cardinalem habere desideretis epi-
scopum, gratulamur. Sed quia summis in rebus
cilum non oportet esse consilium , et nos quid fien-
dum sit matura subinde, Christo adjuvante , delibe-
ratione disponimus , et vobis melius tractu temporis
qualem se exhibeat innotescit. Ideoque, filii dilects-
Simi , predicto viro, si eum vere diligitis, obedite,
devotisque ad eum mentibus occursione pacifica con-
venite, qualenus ita B75 vos ad alte: utrum dilectio
eant , nomen quidem habentes clericorum, etc.
ns8anv. Que fuerit sancti Gregorii mens de pres-
byteris infirmis adhuec aperit infra, maxime lib. 1v,
◆
Book II, Letter 9
To the Neapolitans.
Gregory to the gentry and common people of Naples.
Your letter has made clear your opinion of our brother and fellow bishop Paul, and we congratulate you that your brief experience with him has been positive enough that you want him as your permanent bishop. But since matters of such importance should not be decided hastily, we will, with Christ's help, arrange what needs to be done after careful deliberation, while his character meanwhile becomes better known to you over time.
Therefore, most beloved children, if you truly love this man, obey him. Meet his wishes with devoted hearts and peaceful cooperation, so that the bonds of mutual charity may unite you so closely that the enemy who prowls around you in rage may find no opening to break your unity.
When we see the bishop Paul offering God the harvest of souls we long for, and with God's own approval, we will then do whatever divine inspiration suggests regarding his appointment and your desire.
Human translation - New Advent (NPNF / ANF series)
Latin / Greek Original
Gregorius ordini et plebi consislenti Neapoli.
Quale ® de Paulo ſratre et coepiscopo nostro ha- beat charitas vestra judicium, directa a vobis relatio pateſecit. Quem quoniam ita eslis in paucis diebus experli, ut eum cardinalem habere desideretis epi- scopum, gratulamur. Sed quia summis in rebus
cilum non oportet esse consilium , et nos quid fien-
dum sit matura subinde, Christo adjuvante , delibe- ratione disponimus , et vobis melius tractu temporis qualem se exhibeat innotescit. Ideoque, filii dilects- Simi , predicto viro, si eum vere diligitis, obedite, devotisque ad eum mentibus occursione pacifica con-
venite, qualenus ita B75 vos ad alte: utrum dilectio
eant , nomen quidem habentes clericorum, etc. ns8anv. Que fuerit sancti Gregorii mens de pres- byteris infirmis adhuec aperit infra, maxime lib. 1v,