Letter 71: Pope Pelagius I to Unknown.

Pope Pelagius I to Bishop Helpidius. Pelagius writes to Bishop Helpidius to report that he has entrusted the case of Anastasius to the praetor Leo. He simultaneously urges the bishop to receive with priestly kindness and good will the clergy who opposed his election, for personal favoritism should be far from a man in his position. He is to treat those under him according to the merits of each, without allowing old resentments to influence his pastoral judgment. A bishop must be a father to all his flock, not a partisan to some.

Helpidio episcopo scibit, Anastasii causam conmusisse Eeoni prae¬ tori. Antistitem simul hortatur, ut benigna caritate, sacerdotem decet, clericos qui eius electioni obstiterunt susc^pi^t. Personarum itaque acceptio longe a se habeat, subditosque pro uniuscuiusque meritis prosequatur.