Letter 3008: Gregory to Natalis, archbishop of Salona. Whilst every kind of business demands anxious investigation of the truth, what pertains to deposition from sacerdotal rank should be considered with especial strictness, since here the matter in hand is not concerning persons constituted in a humble position, but, as it were, concerning reversal of divin...

Book III, Letter 8 To Natalis, Archbishop of Salona [modern Split, Croatia]. Gregory to Natalis, Archbishop of Salona. While every kind of legal matter requires careful investigation of the truth, cases involving the deposition of a priest from his office demand the most thorough examination of all. For if a mistake is made in worldly matters, it can be corrected. But if a priest is unjustly deprived of his rank, the harm done to souls through the absence of their shepherd cannot easily be undone. We write to you yet again concerning the case that has occupied our attention for so long. We expect your full compliance with the instructions we have repeatedly issued. Restore what must be restored. Reform what must be reformed. And send us your representative without further delay, so that we may finally bring this matter to a just conclusion. The patience we have shown you should not be mistaken for weakness. It proceeds from charity, not from indifference. But charity that never corrects is not truly charity -- it is negligence. We urge you one final time: act according to our instructions, and find in us a brother. Ignore them, and face the consequences we have clearly outlined.

Book III, Letter 8 Gregory to Natalis, archbishop of Salona. Whilst every kind of business demands anxious investigation of the truth, what pertains to deposition from sacerdotal rank should be considered with especial strictness, since here the matter in hand is not concerning persons constituted in a humble position, but, as it were, concerning reversal of divine benediction. This consideration has also moved us to exhort your Fraternity with respect to the person of Florentius, bishop of the city of Epidaurus. For indeed we have been told that he had been accused on certain criminal charges, and that, without any canonical proof being sought, and without previous sentence of any sacerdotal council, he has been deposed from his office of dignity, not by law, but by authority. Inasmuch, then, as no man can be removed from the rank of episcopacy except for just causes by the concordant sentence of priests, we exhort your Fraternity to cause the aforesaid man to be recalled from the banishment into which he has been driven, and his case enquired into in a consultation of bishops. And, should he be convicted by canonical proof of the charges brought against him, without doubt he must be visited with canonical punishment. But, should the facts be found by the synodical inquisition to be otherwise than had been supposed, it is necessary both that his accusers should dread the rigour of justice, and that the incriminated person should have the approbation of his innocence preserved inviolate. But we have committed by our order the execution of the above-mentioned business to Antoninus, our subdeacon, to the end that decisions may be come to in accordance with the laws and canons, and, with the help of the Lord, be carried into effect.