To Gennadius, Exarch of Africa, Against the Donatists

Gregory to Gennadius, and so on. [b]

The Lord has made your excellency shine with the light of victories in the military wars of this life. In the same way you ought to confront the enemies of the church with all the energy of mind and body, so that your reputation may shine out more and more from both kinds of triumph: when in the wars of the courts, too, you firmly resist the adversaries of the catholic church on behalf of the Christian people, and bravely fight the church’s battles as warriors of the Lord. For it is well known that men who are heretics in religion, if they are given freedom to do harm (which God forbid), rise up energetically against the catholic faith, in order to pour the poison of their heresy, if they can, into the members of the Christian body and corrupt them. We have learned that they are lifting up their necks against the catholic church, though the Lord opposes them, and want to pervert the faith that Christians profess. But let your eminence put down their attempts, and bring their proud necks under the yoke of what is right. [c]

Further, have the council of catholic bishops warned not to appoint their primate on the basis of his seniority, without regard to the merits of his life. For before God it is not the more distinguished rank, but the conduct of a better life, that wins approval. And let the primate himself live, not here and there in the countryside, as is the custom, but in one city of their choosing, so that he may better bring the weight of the dignity that has fallen to him to bear in resisting the Donatists. Moreover, if any from the Council of Numidia wish to come to the Apostolic See, allow them to do so, and stop any who may be inclined to bring charges against their character.

Great increase of glory with the Creator will come to your excellency if through you the union of the divided churches can be restored. For when he sees the gifts he has granted given back to his glory, he bestows gifts all the more abundantly, as he sees the dignity of his religion enlarged by them. Furthermore, giving you, as is due, the affection of our fatherly love, we pray the Lord to make your arm strong to subdue your enemies, and to sharpen your soul with zeal for the faith like the edge of a quivering sword.