Letter 9059: I have received your Fraternity's letter, wherein you inform me that the most eloquent Martin has come from the African province and communicated something to you privately. And indeed your Fraternity, as often as you find occasion, ceases not to show your love towards the blessed apostle Peter. Wherefore we give thanks to Almighty God, that whe...

Gregory to John, Bishop of Syracuse. I have received Your Fraternity's letter informing me that the most eloquent Martin has arrived from the African province and shared certain information with you privately. Your Fraternity, as always, never misses an opportunity to demonstrate your devotion to the blessed apostle Peter, and for this we give thanks to Almighty God -- for where you are, we are not absent. That said, Your Holiness is not yet fully informed about this case. Here is what happened: the Byzacene primate had been accused on certain charges, and the most devout Emperor wished him to be judged by us in accordance with canonical procedure. But then Theodorus, the military commander, accepted ten pounds of gold and blocked the proceedings. The Emperor nonetheless directed us to appoint someone and do whatever the canons required. Given the conflicting interests at play, however, we have been unwilling to take up this case ourselves. Now this same primate has made certain statements about his own intentions. Whether he speaks sincerely or simply because he is under attack from his fellow bishops is very much open to question. As for his claim that he is subject to the Apostolic See -- if we are speaking of cases where fault is found, I know of no bishop who is not subject to it. But where no fault demands otherwise, all bishops are equal under the principle of humility. Speak with the most eloquent Martin as Your Fraternity sees fit. It is for you to judge what ought to be done. I have replied to you briefly on this case because we should not place indiscriminate trust in people who are strangers to us. If, however, having met the man face to face, you believe something more definitive should be said to him, I entrust the matter to your judgment. I am confident in your love, by the grace of Almighty God, and whatever you decide, consider it decided by us as well.

Book IX, Letter 59 To John, Bishop of Syracuse . Gregory to John, etc. I have received your Fraternity's letter, wherein you inform me that the most eloquent Martin has come from the African province and communicated something to you privately. And indeed your Fraternity, as often as you find occasion, ceases not to show your love towards the blessed apostle Peter. Wherefore we give thanks to Almighty God, that where you are, there we are not found absent. Nevertheless, your Holiness is not yet fully cognizant of the case in hand. For the Byzacene primate had been accused on some charge, and the most pious Emperor wished him to be judged by us according to canonical ordinance. But then, on the receipt of ten pounds of gold, Theodorus the magister militum opposed this being done. Yet the most pious Emperor admonished us to commission some one, and do whatever was canonical. But, seeing the contrarieties of men, we have been unwilling to decide this case. Now, moreover, this same primate says something about his own intention. And it is exceedingly doubtful whether he says such things to us sincerely, or in fact because he is being attacked by his fellow bishops: for, as to his saying that he is subject to the Apostolic See, if any fault is found in bishops, I know not what bishop is not subject to it. But when no fault requires it to be otherwise, all according to the principle of humility are equal. Nevertheless, do you speak with the aforesaid most eloquent Martin as seems good to your Fraternity. For it is for you to consider what should be done; and we have replied to you briefly on the case, because we ought not to believe indiscriminately men that are even unknown to us. If, however, you, who see him before you in person, are of opinion that anything more definite should be said to him, we commit this to your Charity, being sure of your love in the grace of Almighty God. And what you do regard without doubt as having been done by us.