Letter 3045: A man may look without alarm to the tribunal of the eternal Judge, if only, conscious of his own guilt, he strives to pacify Him by befitting penitence. Now that you had a concubine we find to be manifestly true, with regard to whom also an adverse suspicion has arisen in the minds of some. But, since in doubtful cases judgment ought not to be a...
Pope Gregory the Great→Andrew|c. 592 AD|Pope Gregory the Great|Human translated
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Military conflict
Gregory to Andrew, Bishop of Taranto.
A man may face the tribunal of the eternal Judge without terror, provided that he recognizes his own guilt and strives to make amends through fitting repentance.
Now, the fact that you kept a concubine is clearly established, and this has given rise to grave suspicions among some. However, since in doubtful matters judgment should not be absolute, we have chosen to leave the matter to your own conscience.
If, then, after your ordination to sacred orders you know yourself to have been defiled by sexual relations, you must resign the dignity of the priesthood and under no circumstances presume to exercise its ministry. Know that you will be doing so at the peril of your soul, and that you will without question answer to God if, conscious of this offense, you continue to serve in your current rank while concealing the truth.
We urge you again: if you know the ancient enemy has ensnared you, overcome him while you still can through adequate repentance — lest, God forbid, you be counted among his company on the day of judgment. If, however, you are not conscious of this guilt, then by all means continue in the office you hold.
There is another matter. You sentenced a woman on the Church rolls to a savage beating with clubs. Though we do not believe she died as a direct result eight months later, you nonetheless showed total disregard for the dignity of your office. We therefore sentence you to abstain from celebrating Mass for two months. During this suspension, it will do you good to weep over what you have done. Since the praiseworthy examples of other priests have failed to inspire you toward the calm integrity befitting your station, the medicine of correction must compel you instead.
Book III, Letter 45
To Andrew, Bishop.
Gregory to Andrew, Bishop of Taranto.
A man may look without alarm to the tribunal of the eternal Judge, if only, conscious of his own guilt, he strives to pacify Him by befitting penitence. Now that you had a concubine we find to be manifestly true, with regard to whom also an adverse suspicion has arisen in the minds of some. But, since in doubtful cases judgment ought not to be absolute, we have chosen to leave the matter to your own conscience. If, then, after being constituted in sacred orders you remember having been defiled by carnal intercourse, you must resign the dignity of priesthood, nor presume by any means to approach its ministration, knowing that you will administer it to the peril of your soul, and without doubt have to render an account to our God, if, being conscious of this crime, you should desire to continue in the order wherein you are, concealing the truth. Wherefore we again exhort you that, if you know yourself to have been deceived by the craft of the ancient foe, thou hasten to overcome him, while you may, by adequate penitence, lest, as we hope may not be, thou be reckoned as partner with him in the day of judgment. If, however, you are not conscious of this guilt, you must needs continue in the order wherein you are.
Furthermore, since, against due order, you doomed a woman on the Church-roll to be cruelly beaten with cudgels, although we do not think that she died eight months afterwards, yet, because you have had no regard to your order, we therefore sentence you to abstain for two months from the administration of mass. Meanwhile, being suspended from your office, it will become you to weep for what you have done. For it is very right that, now that the examples of praiseworthy priests do not provoke you to the tranquil rectitude befitting your position, at any rate the medicine of correction should compel you.
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Gregory to Andrew, Bishop of Taranto.
A man may face the tribunal of the eternal Judge without terror, provided that he recognizes his own guilt and strives to make amends through fitting repentance.
Now, the fact that you kept a concubine is clearly established, and this has given rise to grave suspicions among some. However, since in doubtful matters judgment should not be absolute, we have chosen to leave the matter to your own conscience.
If, then, after your ordination to sacred orders you know yourself to have been defiled by sexual relations, you must resign the dignity of the priesthood and under no circumstances presume to exercise its ministry. Know that you will be doing so at the peril of your soul, and that you will without question answer to God if, conscious of this offense, you continue to serve in your current rank while concealing the truth.
We urge you again: if you know the ancient enemy has ensnared you, overcome him while you still can through adequate repentance — lest, God forbid, you be counted among his company on the day of judgment. If, however, you are not conscious of this guilt, then by all means continue in the office you hold.
There is another matter. You sentenced a woman on the Church rolls to a savage beating with clubs. Though we do not believe she died as a direct result eight months later, you nonetheless showed total disregard for the dignity of your office. We therefore sentence you to abstain from celebrating Mass for two months. During this suspension, it will do you good to weep over what you have done. Since the praiseworthy examples of other priests have failed to inspire you toward the calm integrity befitting your station, the medicine of correction must compel you instead.
Human translation — New Advent (NPNF / ANF series)