Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XII/Gregory the Great/Register of Epistles/Book I/Chapter 50

Epistle LXXVIII.

To Leo, Bishop in Corsica.

Gregory to Leo, &amp;c.

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 .&#160; And, inasmuch as we have learnt

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 thy Fraternity the work of visiting it, to the end that through thy ordering its welfare may be promoted.&#160; In this church also and in its parishes we grant thee licence to ordain deacons and presbyters; concerning whom, however, let it be thy care to make diligent enquiry, that they be not personally in any respect such as are rejected by the sacred canons.&#160; But whomsoever thy 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, thou mayest freely promote to the aforesaid office.&#160; We desire thee, therefore, to make use of all the property of the above named church as though thou wert its proper pontiff, until we write to thee again.&#160; Be, then, so diligent and careful in all these matters that through thy ordering all things may, with the help of, be salubriously arranged to the Church&#8217;s profit.