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| To Alcyson, Bishop of Corcyra.
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Epistle VII.
To Alcyson, Bishop of Corcyra.
Gregory to Alcyson, &c.
Not undeservedly does the ambition of an elated heart require to be quelled, when, disregarding the force of the sacred
canons, the excess of rash presumption in coveting unlawfully what
belongs to others is shewn to be not only harmful in causing expense,
but also opposed to the peace of the Church. Having, then,
perused thy Fraternity’s epistles, we have learnt what has been
done formerly or of late by the bishop of the City of Euria with regard
to the camp of Cassiopus234
| 234 Castrum
Cassiopi, which appears to have been a fortress in the isle of
Corcyra, to which refugees from the mainland of Epirus had resorted in
time of war. Euria was one of the sees in Epirus Vetus under the
jurisdiction of which these refugees had been; and it seems that the
bishop of Euria had been complained of by Alcyson, bishop of Corcyra,
for asserting jurisdiction over them in their new abode. See also
Ep. VIII., which follows, and Ep. XIII. | , which is
situated in thy diocese, and we are distressed that those who should
have been debtors to thy Church for charity bestowed upon them, should
rather become its enemies, no shame restraining them; and at last that,
in a way contrary to ecclesiastical arrangement, contrary to priestly
moderation, contrary to the ordinances of the sacred canons, they
should attempt to withdraw the aforesaid camp from thy jurisdiction and
subject it to their own power, so as to become as it were masters where
they had before been received as strangers. Concerning which
matter, seeing that Andrew, our brother of venerable memory,
Metropolitan of Nicopolis, with the support also of an imperial order
whereby the cognizance of this case had been enjoined on him, is known
to have determined in a sentence promulged by him, as has been made
manifest to us, that the aforesaid camp of Cassiopus should remain under the jurisdiction of thy Church as it always has been, we, approving of the
form of that sentence, confirm it, as justice approves, by the
authority of the Apostolic See, and decree that it remain firm in all
respects. For no reason of equity, no canonical order, sanctions
that one person should in any way occupy the parish235
| 235
Parochiam, in the then usual sense of what is now called a
diocese. | of another. Wherefore, though the
guilt of this contentiousness seems to require no slight strictness of
treatment, in that they have returned evil for good, nevertheless care
should be taken that kindness be not overcome by excess, nor that what
is due to strange brethren, when they are suffering constraint too, be
denied them, lest charity should be judged to have no operation in the
minds of bishops, if those to whom great compassion is due should be
left without the remedy of consolation. It is right, then, that
the priests and clergy of the city of Euria be not repelled from
habitation of the aforesaid camp of Cassiopus, but that they should
have leave also to deposit with due reverence the holy and venerable
body of the blessed Donatus, which they have brought with them, in one
of the churches of the aforesaid place such as they may choose.
Yet so that protection be procured for thy Love, in whose diocese this
camp is situate, by the issue of a security whereby the bishop of Euria
shall promise not to claim for himself any power therein, or any
privilege, or any jurisdiction, or any authority in future, as though
he were cardinal bishop; but that, peace being restored by the favour
of God, they shall return by all means to their own places, taking away
with them, if they will, the venerable body of Saint Donatus. So,
this promise being kept in mind, neither may they dare on any pretext
whatever to claim further to themselves any right of rule there, but
acknowledge themselves guests there at all times, nor may the Church of
thy Fraternity in any degree incur prejudice to its rights and
privileges.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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