Epistle XXIX.
To Januarius, Bishop.
Gregory to Januarius, Bishop of Caralis
(
Cagliari
).
It has come to our knowledge that in the place
within the province of Sardinia called Phausiana it is said to have
been once the custom to ordain a bishop; but that, through stress of
circumstances, the custom has for long fallen into disuse. But,
as we are aware that now, owing to scarcity of priests, certain pagans
remain there, living like wild beasts, and entirely ignorant of the
worship of
God
, we exhort thy Fraternity to
make haste to ordain a bishop there according to the ancient way; such
a one, that is, as may be suitable for this work, and may take pains to
bring wanderers into the
Lord’s
flock
with pastoral zeal; that so, while he devotes himself there to the
saving of souls, neither may you be found to have required what was
superfluous, nor may we repent of having re-established in vain what
had been once discontinued.