Book I, Letter 78

To Leo, Bishop in Corsica.

Gregory to Leo, etc.

Our pastoral charge constrains us to come with anxious consideration to the succour of a church that is destitute of the control of a priest. And, inasmuch as we have learned that the church of Saona for many years, since the death of its pontiff, has been thus entirely destitute, we have thought it needful to enjoin on your Fraternity the work of visiting it, to the end that through your ordering its welfare may be promoted. In this church also and in its parishes we grant you licence to ordain deacons and presbyters; concerning whom, however, let it be your care to make diligent enquiry, that they be not personally in any respect such as are rejected by the sacred canons. But whomsoever your Fraternity has perceived to be worthy of so great a ministry, having ascertained that their manners and actions fit them for ordination, them, by permission of our authority, you may freely promote to the aforesaid office. We desire you, therefore, to make use of all the property of the above named church as though you were its proper pontiff, until we write to you again. Be, then, so diligent and careful in all these matters that through your ordering all things may, with the help of God, be salubriously arranged to the Church’s profit.