Letter 9001: The preacher of Almighty God, Paul the apostle, says, Rebuke not an elder 1 Timothy 5:1. But this rule of his is to be observed in cases where the fault of an elder does not draw through his example the hearts of the younger into ruin. But, when an elder sets an example to the young for their ruin, he is to be smitten with severe rebuke.

Gregory to Januarius, Bishop of Cagliari. Paul the Apostle, preacher of Almighty God, says: "Do not rebuke an elder harshly." But this rule applies only when an elder's faults do not drag the younger into ruin by his example. When an elder sets a ruinous example for the young, he must be sharply rebuked. For it is written: "You are all a snare to the young." And again the prophet says: "The sinner being a hundred years old is accursed." The reports about your conduct in old age are so serious that, were I not inclined to mercy, I would strike you with a formal condemnation. I have been told that on the Lord's Day, before celebrating Mass, you went out and plowed up the crops belonging to the bearer of this letter -- and then celebrated Mass. After Mass, you did not hesitate to uproot the boundary markers of that same property. Everyone who hears of such behavior knows what punishment it deserves. I had doubted whether such perversity was really in you, but our son Cyriacus the abbot confirmed it. So, since I still spare your gray hairs: think carefully, old man. Restrain yourself from such recklessness. The closer you approach death, the more cautious you should become. A sentence of punishment had been prepared against you, but knowing the simplicity that accompanies your old age, I hold back for now. Those on whose advice you did these things I decree excommunicated for two months -- with the proviso that if anything should happen to them in the normal course of life during that time, they are not to be denied last rites.

Book IX, Letter 1 To Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari). Gregory to Januarius, etc. The preacher of Almighty God, Paul the apostle, says, Rebuke not an elder 1 Timothy 5:1. But this rule of his is to be observed in cases where the fault of an elder does not draw through his example the hearts of the younger into ruin. But, when an elder sets an example to the young for their ruin, he is to be smitten with severe rebuke. For it is written, You are all a snare to the young Isaiah 42:22. And again the prophet says, The sinner being an hundred years old is accursed Isaiah 65:20. But so great wickedness has been reported to us of your old age that, unless we were humanely disposed, we should smite you with a definitive curse. For it has been told me that on the Lord's day, before celebrating the solemnities of mass, you went forth to plough up the crop of the bearer of these presents, and after ploughing it up celebrated the solemnities of mass. Also, after the solemnities of mass you did not fear to root up the landmarks of that possession. What punishment ought to follow such deeds all who hear of them know. We had, however, been in doubt as to so great perversity in you as this; but our son Cyriacus the abbot, having been questioned by us, declared that when he was at Caralis he knew it to be the case. And, seeing that we still spare your gray hairs, bethink you at length, old man, and restrain yourself from such levity of behaviour, and perversity of deeds. The nearer you are approaching death, the more careful and fearful ought you to become. And indeed a sentence of punishment had been launched against you; but, since we know your simplicity accompanying your old age, we meanwhile hold our peace. Those, however, by whose advice you have done these things we decree to be excommunicated for two months; but so that, if within the space of two months anything should happen to them after the manner of humanity they be not deprived of the blessing of the viaticum. But henceforth be cautious to stand aloof from their counsels, lest, if you be their disciple in evil whose master you ought to have been in good, we no longer spare either your simplicity or your old age. About this page Source. Translated by James Barmby. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 13. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1898.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360209001.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.