Letter 9008: Gregory to Vincentius, Innocentius, Marinianus, Libertinus, Agatho, and Victor, Bishops of Sardinia. We have learned that it is the custom of your island after the paschal festival, for you to go, or to send your representatives to your Metropolitan, and for him, whether you know the time or not, to give you directions by a written announcement ...

Pope Gregory the GreatVincentius|c. 599 AD|Pope Gregory the Great|Human translated
papal authority
Travel & mobility; Economic matters

Gregory to Vincentius, Innocentius, Marinianus, Libertinus, Agatho, and Victor, Bishops of Sardinia.

I have learned that it is the custom of your island, after the Paschal season, for you to go or send representatives to your metropolitan, and for him to notify you in writing of the date of the following Easter. Reportedly, some of you have been neglecting this custom and leading others into disobedience as well. It is also said that some of you, when needing to travel overseas on church business, venture to do so without the knowledge or letters of your metropolitan, as canonical order requires.

I therefore urge your Brotherhood to observe the customs of your churches: both with regard to the announcement of Easter and, should necessity compel any of you to travel on your own business, by requesting leave from your metropolitan according to the established rule. The one exception is this: if, which I hope will not be the case, you should happen to have a dispute against your own metropolitan, then those who need to bring the matter before the Apostolic See for judgment are free to do so, as you know the canons of the ancient Fathers permit.

Human translationNew Advent (NPNF / ANF series)

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