Letter 4008: Gregory to Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari). We think indeed that your position may in itself be enough to compel you to be instant in the fulfilment of pious duties. But, lest remissness of any kind should intervene to abate your zeal, we have thought it right to exhort you especially with regard to them.
Gregory to Januarius, Bishop of Cagliari.
We believe that the responsibilities of your office should in themselves be sufficient to keep you diligent in the fulfillment of pious duties. But to prevent any complacency from weakening your resolve, we have thought it right to write to you specifically.
It has come to our knowledge that a man named Stephen, on his deathbed, directed in his will that a monastery be established. But his wish remains unfulfilled, we are told, because of delays by the honorable lady Theodosia, his heir.
We urge your Fraternity to give this matter your full attention and to press the lady Theodosia so that within one year she establishes the monastery as directed and carries out everything in accordance with the departed's will, without dispute.
Should she neglect the project out of either laziness or evasion — for instance, if the designated location proves unsuitable and the selection of a new site becomes an excuse for further delay — then we direct that the monastery be built through your own efforts. Once everything is in order, you are to assign the endowments and revenues that were bequeathed to this religious house.
In this way, you will escape condemnation for negligence before the fearsome Judge, and, in keeping with our most religious laws, you will be carrying out with proper episcopal zeal the pious wishes of the departed, which others have disregarded.
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