Letter 9047

**From:** Gregory I, Bishop of Rome **To:** Sabinus, Subdeacon **Date:** ~599 AD **Context:** Instructs him to investigate a complaint from clergy of Regium against their bishop. The clergy of Regium have brought complaints against their bishop, and these must be investigated. Go there, hear from those who have come forward, look into the specifics of what is alleged, and determine whether the complaints have merit. Do not prejudge the matter in either direction — listen carefully and assess honestly. Bishops are accountable for how they govern their churches, and complaints from clergy should be taken seriously. Report back to me with your findings.

AD SAPINUM SUBDIACONUM. Regitani cleri adversus episcopum 8uum querelas una cum episcopis quinque perscruletur, ut, illorum rela- tione certior ſactus, ipse Rome decernat. Gregorius ®* Sabino subdiacono. Clerus Ecclesize Regitanz multa contra reverendis- simum ſratrem nostrum Bonifacium episcopum 8uum, data nobis petitione, conquestus est, petens ut ad nos debvisset habere veniendi licentiam, quatenus canse ipsz' hic subtiliter probarentur. Sed quia nos interim predictum fratrem nostrum huc modo non previdimus deducendum, visum nobis est illic > de- putare causam eamdem cognoscendam. Et ideo me- diis sacrosanctis Evangeliis experientia tua una cum Paulino, Proculo, Palumbo, vel Venerio, atque Mar- tiano reverendissimis ſratribus coepiscopisque nostris 8ine cujusquam pers0ne2 respeclu, tam clericorum querelam quam adversus suum, sicut diximus, habent episcopum ; vel 8i quam forte jlle contra eos habue- rit, ear. omni equitate ac 8ollicitudive perscrutelur, Et- quidquid in verilate cognoverit, nobis una cum predictis. fratribus nostris svbtiliter diligenterque 962 signiſicet, ut renuntiatione vestra redditi cerlio- res, quid fieri debeat decernamus <.