Letter 9079: What is to be done in the case of Maximus you have learned from the letters which we have before sent to you. But, since we have ascertained from the report of our Chartulary Castorius, the bearer of these presents, what is the wish, or rather the request, of your Fraternity in this matter, therefore if the said Maximus, in the presence of you a...

Gregory to Marinianus, Bishop of Ravenna. You have already learned from our previous letters what is to be done in the case of Maximus. But since we have now been informed by the report of our secretary Castorius, the bearer of this letter, of Your Fraternity's wishes -- or rather, your request -- in this matter, here is what we have decided: If the said Maximus, in the presence of you and our secretary, purges himself on oath of the charge of simoniacal heresy, and if with respect to the other accusations he simply declares his innocence when questioned before the body of Saint Apollinaris -- as we have previously written -- then we commit his case to Your Fraternity's judgment. Specifically, you are to determine what penance is fitting for his having presumed to celebrate Mass while under excommunication. Whatever seems right to you under God, settle it without hesitation, and have no doubts regarding us. Whatever you decide in this case, we accept with gratitude and allow willingly. We do urge you, however, to exercise care -- tempering your decision so as to deal with him mercifully if that seems appropriate, while also maintaining, as you should, the proper rigor of ecclesiastical discipline through a suitable arrangement. We have given the bearer detailed instructions on how to proceed with you. Once you have learned everything from him, conduct the matter in such a way that through your attentive care, we may feel that our own presence has been with you.

Book IX, Letter 79 To Marinianus, Bishop of Ravenna . Gregory to Marinianus, etc. What is to be done in the case of Maximus you have learned from the letters which we have before sent to you. But, since we have ascertained from the report of our Chartulary Castorius, the bearer of these presents, what is the wish, or rather the request, of your Fraternity in this matter, therefore if the said Maximus, in the presence of you and our aforesaid Chartulary, shall purge himself on oath from simoniacal heresy, and with respect to other charges shall, before the body of Saint Apollinaris, as we have written, reply only, when interrogated, that he is guiltless, we commit his cause to the judgment of your Fraternity, with regard to his having presumed to celebrate the solemnities of mass while excommunicated, as to what penance such fault shall be purged by. And so, whatever according to God seems good to you, do you settle without fear, and entertain no doubt with regard to us. For whatsoever may be ordained by you concerning this cause we both thankfully accept and willingly allow. Yet we exhort you that you should be careful, and so temper what you provide for being done as both to deal kindly with him, if so it shall seem fit, and by a suitable arrangement to observe, as you ought, the genius of ecclesiastical vigour. We have instructed the above-named bearer, while present with us, how he is to act with you; and, having learned all thoroughly from him, do you so acquit yourselves in all respects that in your anxious care we may feel that our presence has been with you. 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/360209079.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.