Letter 9062: It has come to our ears that the tonsuratores in Sicily, with wicked presumption, take to themselves the name of defensores, and that they not only are of no utility for the interests of the Church, but also take occasion hence to commit many irregularities. Consequently we enjoin your Experience by this present authority to enquire diligently ...

Gregory to Romanus, Defender. It has come to our attention that the barbers in Sicily are, with brazen presumption, calling themselves defenders of the Church — and that they not only serve no useful purpose for Church affairs but actually use this stolen title as cover for committing numerous irregularities. We therefore direct your Experience, by the authority of this letter, to investigate the matter thoroughly. If you find anyone who lacks proper authorization assuming this title from now on, put a stop to it with firm correction. If, however, you discover any who have genuinely proven themselves active and faithful in Church business, send us a full and detailed report about them so we can determine whether they deserve to be formally appointed. Furthermore, we want you to conduct a thorough examination of Fortunatus's accounts. Once he has settled all debts that stand against him, he is to have no further involvement with the patrimony or with any business of our Church. From what we have heard, his conduct has been such that he should have no further dealings with our people. We have also been informed that a certain Martianus, who has taken upon himself the title of defender without authorization, has refused to obey our brother and fellow bishop John, to whom we entrusted the oversight of our patrimony. Investigate this, and if it proves true, have him sent into exile. His defiance of the man from whose Church he stole a false title of honor — the very man who is managing its interests — must not go unpunished. And if there are others likewise disobedient to our said brother's orders, see that they too receive strict punishment.

Book IX, Letter 62 To Romanus, Guardian (Defensorem). Gregory to Romanus, etc. It has come to our ears that the tonsuratores in Sicily, with wicked presumption, take to themselves the name of defensores, and that they not only are of no utility for the interests of the Church, but also take occasion hence to commit many irregularities. Consequently we enjoin your Experience by this present authority to enquire diligently into this. And, if you find any, besides those who have letters to empower them in such business , usurping henceforth this title, put a stop to this thing by strict correction. If, however, you should discover any who have proved themselves active and faithful in ecclesiastical affairs, you must send us a full and particular report of them, that we may judge whether they are worthy of a letter . Furthermore, we desire you to make a thorough examination of the accounts of Fortunatus; and, when he has satisfied all the debts that appear against him, allow him no longer to have to do with the patrimony, or with any action of our Church, seeing that, as we have heard, he has conducted himself in such a manner that he ought not henceforth to have any communication with our people. Furthermore, it has been reported to us that one Martianus, who has assumed to himself the name of a defensor, has declined to pay obedience to our brother and fellow bishop John, to whom we had committed the charge of our patrimony. Inquire therefore; and, if it is true, let him be sent into exile, that his disobedience to him from whose Church he has seized for himself a false title of honour, and who is promoting the interests of the same, may not go unpunished. But, if there are also any others disobedient to the orders of our said brother, you will by all means visit them with strict punishment. 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/360209062.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.