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| To Marinianus, Bishop of Ravenna.
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Epistle XV.
To Marinianus, Bishop of Ravenna.
Gregory to Marinianus, &c.
How necessary it is to provide for the quiet of
monasteries1739
| 1739 For other
Epistles in which bishops are forbidden to interfere, except in the
case of need, with monasteries, see Index under
monasteries. Also Prolegom., p. xx. | , and to take
measures for their perpetual security, you are aware from the office
you formerly filled in government of a monastery. And so, seeing
that we have learnt how the monastery of the blessed John and Stephen
in the city of Classis, over which our common son, the abbot Claudius,
is known to preside, has suffered many prejudices and grievances from
your predecessors, it is right that the provision of your Fraternity
should make salutary arrangements for the quiet of its inmates in
future; to the end that living there in the service of God, His grace also assisting them, they may persevere
with free mind. But lest, owing to the custom which ought rather
to be amended, any one at any time should presume to cause any
annoyance there, it is necessary that the points which we have taken
care to enumerate below be so guarded by the careful attention of your
Fraternity that no occasion of causing them disquiet may possibly be
found in future. Let no one, then, any more dare, by any kind of
inquisition whatever, to diminish anything from the revenues or
charters of the aforesaid monastery, or of any place that in any manner
whatever pertains to it, or to attempt any kind of usurpations or
stratagems. But if perchance any matter of dispute should arise
between the Church of Ravenna and the aforesaid monastery, and it
cannot be settled amicably, let it be concluded without voluntary delay
before men who fear God chosen by the parties,
oath being made upon the most holy Gospels. Further, on the death
of an abbot, let not a stranger be ordained, but one whom the
congregation may choose of its own free will for itself from the same
congregation, and who shall have been chosen without any fraud or
venality. But, if they should be unable to find a suitable person
among themselves, let them
in like manner wisely choose for
themselves for ordination one from some other monastery. And,
when an abbot comes, let no person whatever on any occasion whatever be
put over him in his own monastery, unless perchance in the case (which
God forbid) of crimes which are shewn to be
punishable by the sacred canons. This rule also must be no less
carefully observed; that against the will of the abbot of such
monastery monks be not removed thence for furnishing other monasteries,
or for sacred orders, or for any clerical office. But in cases of
there being monks in abundance, sufficient for celebrating praises to
God and for satisfying the requirements of
monasteries, let the abbot offer with devotion of those who are to
spare, such as he may be able to find worthy in the sight of
God. But if, while having a sufficient
number he should refuse to give any, then let the bishop of Ravenna
take of such as are to spare for furnishing other monasteries.
Nevertheless, let no one be taken out thence for an ecclesiastical
office, except such as the abbot of the place, on having notice given
him, may offer of his own accord. Whosoever also from the
aforesaid monastery shall have attained to any ecclesiastical order,
let him thenceforth have neither any power there nor leave to dwell
there1740
| 1740 This is among the
many evidences found in Gregory’s Epistles that monks in his day
were essentially laymen. The active duties incumbent on the
clergy were held to be inconsistent with monastic life. | .
It is to be observed also that no schedule of the
property and charters of this monastery must be made by ecclesiastics,
if ever circumstances require one: but let the abbot of the place
with other abbots make an inventory of the property.
Further, as often as the abbot may perchance wish to go
or send to the Roman pontiff in the interest of his monastery, let him
have entire liberty to do so.
Furthermore, though the visits of bishops should be
looked for with desire by monasteries, yet, seeing that it has been
reported to us that the aforesaid monastery in the times of your
predecessor was burdened by occasion of entertainment, it is right that
your Holiness should regulate this in a becoming manner, so that the
prelate of the city may have access to the monastery as often as he
pleases for the sake of visiting and exhorting. But let the
bishop so fulfil the office of charity there that the monastery incur
not any burden. Now the aforesaid abbot not only does not fear
your Fraternity’s frequent access to the monastery, but even
longingly desires it, knowing that it is quite impossible that the
substance of the monastery should be burdened through you. Given
in the month of April, first Indiction. E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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