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| To Natalis, Archbishop.
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Epistle
VIII.
To Natalis, Archbishop.
Gregory to Natalis, archbishop of Salona1477
| 1477 Natalis was
Metropolitan of the province of Dalmatia. See note II. 18, note
3. | .
Whilst every kind of business demands1478
| 1478 I.e. episcopal
rank. Here, as below in this Epistle and elsewhere, by
sacerdotes are meant bishops. | anxious investigation of the truth,
what pertains to deposition from sacerdotal rank should be considered
with especial strictness, since here the matter in hand is not
concerning persons constituted in a humble position, but, as it were,
concerning reversal of divine benediction. This consideration has
also moved us to exhort your Fraternity with respect to the person of
Florentius, bishop of the city of Epidaurus. For indeed we have
been told that he had been accused on certain criminal charges, and
that, without any canonical proof being sought, and without previous
sentence of any sacerdotal council, he has been deposed from his office
of dignity, not by law, but by authority. Inasmuch, then, as no
man can be removed from the rank of episcopacy except for just causes
by the concordant sentence of priests, we exhort your Fraternity to
cause the aforesaid man to be recalled from the banishment into which
he has been driven, and his case enquired into in a consultation of
bishops. And, should he be convicted by canonical proof of the
charges brought against him, without doubt he must be visited with
canonical punishment. But, should the facts be found by the
synodical inquisition to be otherwise than had been supposed, it is
necessary both that his accusers should dread the rigour of justice,
and that the incriminated person should have the approbation of his
innocence preserved inviolate. But we have committed by our order
the execution of the above-mentioned business to Antoninus, our
subdeacon, to the end that decisions may be come to in accordance with
the laws and
canons,
and, with the help of the Lord, be carried
into effect.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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