Epistle
LXXX.
To the Clergy and Nobles of Corsica.
Gregory to the Clergy, &c…
A
paribus
1393
.
Although for a long time it has caused you no
sorrow that the Church of
God
should be
without a pontiff, yet as for us, we are both compelled by the charge
of the office we bear and bound especially by the charity of our love
for you, to take thought for its government, knowing that in its
supervision lies at the same time advantage to your souls. For,
if the care of a shepherd be wanting to a flock, it easily falls into
the snares of the lier in wait. Accordingly, inasmuch as the
church of Saona has long been deprived of the aid of a priest, we have
held it necessary to constitute Martinus, our brother and
fellow-bishop, cardinal priest of the same
1394
, but to enjoin on Leo our brother and
fellow-bishop the work of its visitation. To the latter we have
also granted licence to ordain presbyters and deacons in it and in its
parishes, and have permitted him to make use of its property so long as
be shall be there, as though he were its proper pontiff. And so
we admonish you by these present writings that your Charity receive the
aforesaid visitor with all devotion, and shew him obedience in whatever
is reasonable, as becomes sons of the Church, to the end that,
supported by your devotion, he may be able to accomplish all that is
found to conduce to the advantage of the above-named
church.
1393
See I, 25, note
8.
1394
See note under Ep.
LXXIX.