Letter 4002: Gregory to Constantius, Bishop of Mediolanum. My most beloved son, the deacon Boniface, has conveyed to me certain private information through your Fraternity's letter; namely that three bishops, having sought out rather than found an occasion, have separated themselves from the pious communion of your Fraternity, saying that you have assented t...

Gregory to Constantius, Bishop of Milan. My dear son, the deacon Boniface, has conveyed to me through your Fraternity's letter certain confidential information: that three bishops, having manufactured rather than discovered a pretext, have separated themselves from communion with your Fraternity, claiming that you assented to the condemnation of the Three Chapters and gave a formal guarantee to that effect. Whether there was ever any mention of the Three Chapters in any statement or document whatsoever, your Fraternity well remembers. Your predecessor Laurentius did, in fact, send a most binding guarantee to the Apostolic See, to which distinguished men in proper number subscribed. Among them, I too subscribed, as I was at that time holding the praetorship of the city. After such a schism had erupted over nothing, it was right that the Apostolic See should take measures to guard the unity of the universal Church in the minds of its priests. As for the report that our daughter Queen Theodelinda has withdrawn from your communion upon hearing this news — it is perfectly clear that, though she has been somewhat influenced by the words of ill-intentioned men, once the notary Hippolytus and the abbot John arrive, she will seek your communion in every way. I have also sent her a letter, which I ask your Fraternity to forward to her without delay. Regarding the bishops who appear to have separated themselves, I have written another letter. Once you have it shown to them, I have no doubt they will repent of their proud presumption before your Fraternity. You have also given me a clear and concise account of developments involving King Agilulf and the Frankish kings. I ask your Fraternity to keep me informed in every way of whatever you learn going forward.

Book IV, Letter 2 To Constantius, Bishop. Gregory to Constantius, Bishop of Mediolanum. My most beloved son, the deacon Boniface, has conveyed to me certain private information through your Fraternity's letter; namely that three bishops, having sought out rather than found an occasion, have separated themselves from the pious communion of your Fraternity, saying that you have assented to the condemnation of the Three Chapters , and have given a security. And, indeed, whether there has been any mention made of the Three Chapters in any word or writing whatever your Fraternity remembers well; although your Fraternity's predecessor, Laurentius, did send forth a most strict security to the Apostolic See, to which most noble men in legitimate number subscribed; among whom I also, at that time holding the prætorship of the city, likewise subscribed; since after such a schism had taken place about nothing, it was right that the Apostolic See should take heed, with the view of guarding in all respects the unity of the Universal Church in the minds of priests. But as to its being said that our daughter, Queen Theodelinda, after hearing this news, has withdrawn herself from your communion, it is for all reasons evident that, though she has been seduced to some little extent by the words of bad men, yet, on the arrival of Hippolytus the notary, and John the abbot, she will seek in all ways the communion of your Fraternity. To her also I have addressed a letter , which I beg your Fraternity to transmit to her without delay. Further, with regard to the bishops who appear to have separated themselves, I have written another letter, which when you have caused to be shown to them, I doubt not that they will repent of the superstition of their pride before your Fraternity. Furthermore, you have accurately and briefly informed me of what has been done, whether by King Ago or by the Kings of the Franks. I beg your Fraternity to make known to me in all ways what you have so far ascertained. But, if you should see that Ago, King of the Lombards, is doing nothing with the Patrician , promise him on our part that I am prepared to give attention to his case, if he should be willing to arrange anything with the republic advantageously. About this page Source. Translated by James Barmby. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 12. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1895.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360204002.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.