Letter 3047: Having read your letter, beloved, we learn that you have made choice of Honoratus your archdeacon; and know that it is altogether pleasing to us that you have chosen for the order of episcopacy a man tried of old and of grave manner of life. We too join with you in approbation of his personal character, inasmuch as it is already known to us; and...

Gregory to the Clergy of the Church of Salona. Having read your letter, dear brothers, we learn that you have chosen your archdeacon Honoratus as your candidate for bishop. This is entirely pleasing to us — you have selected for the episcopate a man of proven character and serious conduct. We too can attest to his personal qualities, since his reputation is already known to us, and it has been our own wish as well that he be ordained as your bishop according to your desire. We therefore urge you to hold firm to this election without any wavering. No circumstances should turn you away from him. Just as this commendable choice now receives our approval, so it would burden your souls and stain your reputation with faithlessness if anyone were to lure you — God forbid — into withdrawing your support from him. As for those who do not share your preference, we have instructed our subdeacon Antoninus to urge them to come into agreement with you. We have also given him directives regarding our brother and fellow bishop Malchus. Since we have written to Malchus directly as well, we trust he will promptly stop disturbing you. Should he in any way neglect to comply, his defiance will be met with the full severity of canonical punishment.

Book III, Letter 47 To the Clergy of the Church of Salona. Gregory to the clergy, etc. Having read your letter, beloved, we learn that you have made choice of Honoratus your archdeacon; and know that it is altogether pleasing to us that you have chosen for the order of episcopacy a man tried of old and of grave manner of life. We too join with you in approbation of his personal character, inasmuch as it is already known to us; and it has been our own wish also that he should be ordained as your priest according to your desire. For which cause we exhort you to persist in his election without any ambiguity. Nor ought any circumstances to disincline you from his person, since, as this laudable choice is now approved, so it will impose both a burden on your souls and a stain of unfaithfulness on your reputation, if any one should seduce you (which God forbid) to turn aside your love from him. But as to those who are not at one with you in this desired election, we have caused them to be admonished by Antoninus our subdeacon, that they may be able to agree with you. To him also we have already given our injunctions as to what ought to be done with respect to the person of our brother and fellow bishop Malchus. But, inasmuch as we have ourselves also written to him, we believe that he will without delay keep himself quiet from disquieting you. If by any chance he should in any way whatever neglect to obey, his contumacy will in every way be mulcted with the utmost rigour of canonical punishment.