Epistle
XXXV.
To Dominicus, Bishop.
Gregory to Dominicus, Bishop of Carthage.
Though we believe that thy Fraternity gives attention
with pastoral vigilance to the care of monasteries, yet we think it
necessary to inform you of what we have learnt about a monastery in the
African province. Now the abbot Cumquodeus, the bearer of these
presents, complaints that, if at any time he wishes to restrain under
regular discipline the monks over whom he presides, they at once leave
the monastery, and are allowed to wander wherever they will.
Seeing, then, that this is both altogether pernicious to themselves and
also sets an example of perdition to others, we exhort your Fraternity
that, if it
is so, you should bring
ecclesiastical censure to bear upon them, and withhold them by suitable
punishment from such undoubted presumption; and that you should so
bring them to obedience by salubrious provision, subduing their proud
minds to the yoke of discipline, that correction may recall from guilt
others whom their example might have provoked to similar transgression,
and teach them to obey their superiors, as is fit. But, since he
tells us that stray monks are defended by some bishops, let your
Fraternity give careful attention to this, and restrain them by your
menaces in all ways from such defence. The month of July,
Indiction 15.