Letter 5029: With a view to the advantage of the Church it is our will and pleasure, that, if you are held bound by no condition of, or liability to, bodily service, and hast not been a cleric of any other city, and if there is no canonical objection to you, thou take the office of guardian of the Church, that you may execute incorruptly and with alacrity wh...

Pope Gregory the GreatVincomalus, Guardian (Defensorem)|c. 594 AD|Pope Gregory the Great|Human translated
illnesspapal authority

Gregory to Vincomalus, Guardian.

For the benefit of the Church, it is our will and decision that -- provided you are not bound by any obligation of public service, have not been a cleric of any other city, and face no canonical objection -- you shall assume the office of Guardian of the Church. In this role you are to carry out faithfully and promptly whatever we may direct you to do on behalf of the poor. Use this authority, which we have granted you after careful deliberation, to discharge your duties honestly, knowing that you will answer for your actions before the judgment of our God.

This letter was dictated by us and committed to writing by Paterius, notary of our Church, in the month of March, Indiction 13.

Human translationNew Advent (NPNF / ANF series)

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