Epistle LV.
To Fantinus, Guardian (Defensorem), of Panormus
(Palermo).
Gregory to Fantinus, &c.
A little time ago we wrote to Victor, our brother and
fellow-bishop, that—inasmuch as certain of the Jews have
complained in a petition presented to us that synagogues with their
guest-chambers, situated in the city of Panormus, had by him been
unreasonably taken possession of—he should keep aloof from their
congregation until it could be ascertained whether this thing had been
justly done, lest perchance injury should appear to have been alleged
by them of their own mere will. And indeed, having regard to his
priestly office, we could not easily believe that our aforesaid brother
had done anything unsuitably. But, since we find from the report
of Salarius, our notary, who was afterwards there, that there had been
no reasonable cause for taking possession of those synagogues, and that
they had been unadvisedly and rashly consecrated, we therefore enjoin
thy Experience, since what has been once consecrated cannot any more be
restored to the Jews, that it be thy care to see that our aforesaid
brother and fellow-bishop pay the price at which our sons, the glorious
Venantius the Patrician, and Urbicus the Abbot, may value the
synagogues themselves with the guest-chambers that are under them or
annexed to their walls, and the gardens thereto adjoining; that so what
he has caused to be taken possession of may belong to the Church, and
they may in no wise be oppressed, or suffer any injustice.
Moreover, let books or ornaments that have been abstracted be in like
manner sought for. And, if any have been manifestly taken away,
we desire them also to be restored without any ambiguity. For, as
there ought to be no licence for them, as we have ourselves already
written, to do anything in their synagogues beyond what is decreed by
law, so neither damage nor any
cost
ought to be brought upon them contrary to justice and
equity.