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| To the Neapolitans.
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Epistle
VI.
To the Neapolitans.
Gregory to the clergy, nobles, gentry, and
commonalty1397
| 1397 Clero,
nobilibus, ordini et plebi. Ordo seems to denote persons of
official or other rank, above the commonalty, but below the
nobility. In some cases the corresponding address is to clero,
ordini et plebi (as in I. 81; V. 26); in others to clero et
nobilibus only. All such expressions shew that the election
of bishops rested with the members, laity as well as clergy, of each
church, though the bishop of Rome, wherever his jurisdiction extended
reserved to himself the power of approving or disallowing the
election. In the election at Naples, referred to in this Epistle,
there appears to have been a difficulty in arriving at an unanimous
choice. Other Epistles referring to the case are II. 9, 10, 15,
26; III. 35. From the last of these it appears how it was
eventually settled. See especially note 6 under II. 9. | dwelling at
Naples.
Although the sincere devotion of spiritual sons in
behalf of their mother Church needs no exhortation, nevertheless, it
ought to be stirred up by letter, lest it should suppose itself
slighted. On this account I approach your love with an admonition
of paternal charity, that with many tears and with one accord we may
render thanks to our Redeemer, who has not suffered you to walk along
pathless ways under so perverse a teacher, but has made publicly known
the crimes of your unworthy pastor. For Demetrius, to wit, who
even before had not deserved to be called a bishop, has been found to
be involved in transactions to such an extent and of such a kind that,
if he had received judgment without mercy according to the character of
his deeds, he would undoubtedly have been condemned to a most hard
death by both divine and human laws. But since, being reserved
for penance, he has been deprived of the dignity of the priesthood, we
cannot suffer the Church of God to remain long
without a teacher, since it is laid down by canonical rules that, on
the death or removal of a pastor, the church should not be long
deprived of the priesthood1398
| 1398
Sacerdotii; meaning here episcopacy. See I. 78, note
2. | .
Wherefore, I have thought it necessary to admonish your Charity by this
present writing that neither delay nor the discord which has been wont
to generate scandals ensue to hinder your election of a pontiff.
But seek you out with all care such a person as all by common consent
may rejoice in, and as is in no respect rejected by the sacred canons;
to the end that the office which the most wicked of men had polluted by
his evil administration may be worthily filled and administered by him,
whoever he may be, who, by the grace of Christ, and with His approval,
shall be ordained.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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