Epistle XXXVI.
To Sabinus, Guardian
(Defensorem).
Gregory to Sabinus, Guardian of Sardinia.
Certain serious matters having come to our ears which
require canonical correction, we therefore charge thy Experience not to
neglect to cause Januarius, our brother and fellow-bishop, together
with John the notary, to appear before us with all speed, all excuses
being laid aside, that in his presence what has been reported to us may
be subjected to a thorough investigation. Further, if the
religious women Pompeiana and Theodosia, according to their request,
should wish to come hither, afford them your succour in all ways, that
they may be able, through your assistance, to accomplish their
desires: but especially be careful by all means to bring with you
the most eloquent Isidore, as he has requested, that, the merits of his
case which he is known to have against the Church of Caralis having
been fully gone into, he may be able to have it legally terminated.
Furthermore, some personal misdemeanours having been
reported to us of the presbyter Epiphanius, it is necessary for you to
investigate everything diligently, and to make haste to bring at the
same time with you the women with whom he is said to have sinned, or
others whom you suppose to know anything about the matter; that so the
truth may be clearly laid open to the rigour of ecclesiastical
discipline.
Now you will take care to accomplish all these things so
efficiently as to lay yourself open to no blame for negligence, knowing
that it will be entirely at your peril if this our order should in any
way be slackly executed.