Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XII/Gregory the Great/Register of Epistles/Book I/Chapter 12

Epistle XVI.

To Severus, Bishop of Aquileia.

Gregory to Severus, &amp;c.

As, when one who walks through devious ways takes anew the right path, the embraces him with all eagerness, so afterwards, when one deserts the way of truth, He is more saddened with grief for him than He rejoiced over him with joy when he turned from error; since it is a less degree of sin not to know the truth than not to abide in it when known:&#160; and what is committed in error is one thing, but what is perpetrated knowingly is another.&#160; And we, from having formerly rejoiced in thy being incorporated in the unity of the Church, are now the more abundantly distressed for thy dissociation from the catholic society.&#160; Accordingly we desire thee, at the instance of the bearer of these presents, according to the command of the most Christian and most serene Emperor, to come with thy adherents to the threshold of the blessed Apostle Peter, that, a synod being assembled by the will of, judgment may be passed concerning the doubt that is entertained among you.