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| To Peter, Subdeacon.
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Book III.
Epistle I.
To Peter, Subdeacon.
Gregory to Peter, Subdeacon of Campania.
What a crime has been committed in the Lucullan
fort against our brother and fellow-bishop Paul1467
| 1467 The
Castellum, or Castrum, Lucullanum was a small island
adjoining Naples. Respecting Paul, bishop of Nepe, who had been
sent as visitor to the See of Naples during a vacancy, and his
difficulties there, cf. II. 9, 10, 15; III. 35. | the account which has been sent to us
has made manifest. And, inasmuch as the magnificent Scholasticus,
judge of Campania, happens at the present time to be with us here, we
have especially enjoined on him the duty of visiting the madness of so
great perversity with strict correction. But, since the bearer of
the aforesaid account has requested us to send some one to represent
ourselves, we therefore send the subdeacon Epiphanius, who, together
with the aforesaid judge, may be able to investigate and ascertain by
whom the sedition was raised or investigated, and to visit it with
suitable punishment. Let thy Experience then make haste to give
aid in this case with all thy power, to the end both that the truth may
be ascertained, and that vengeance may proceed against the guilty
parties. Wherefore, since the slaves of the glorious Clementina
are said to have had to do with this same crime, and to have used
language calculated to stir up the sedition, do thou subject them
strictly to immediate punishment, nor let your severity be relaxed in
consideration of her person, since they ought to be smitten all the
more as they have transgressed out of mere pride as being the servants
of a noble lady. But you ought also to make thorough enquiry
whether the said lady was privy to so atrocious a crime, and whether it
was perpetrated with her knowledge, that from our visitation of it all
may learn how dangerous it is not only to lay hands on a priest, but
even to transgress in words against one. For, if anything should
be done remissly or omitted in this case, know that thou especially
wilt have to bear the blame and the risk; nor wilt thou find any plea
for excuse with us. For in proportion as this business will
commend thee to us if it be most strictly investigated and corrected,
know that our indignation will become sharp against thee, if it be
smoothed over.
Moreover, for the rest, if any slaves from the city
should have taken refuge in the monastery of Saint Severinus, or in any
other church of this same fort, as soon as this has come to thy
knowledge, by no means allow them to remain there, but let them be
brought to the church within the city; and, if they should have just
cause of complaint against their masters, they must needs leave the
church with suitable arrangements made for them. But, if they
should have committed any venial fault, let them be restored without
delay to their masters, the latter having taken oath to pardon
them. E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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