To All the Bishops of Numidia, on Their Customs and the Primacy

Gregory to all the bishops of Numidia. [a]

Most dear brothers in Christ, if ever a troublesome growth of weeds pushes in among the green grain, the farmer’s hand must root it out completely, so that it does not choke the future harvest of the fertile grain. So let us too, who, however unworthy, have taken on the cultivation of the Lord’s field, hurry to make the grain clean of every harm from the weeds, so that the Lord’s field may bear a more abundant crop.

Now through Hilarus, our chartulary, you asked our predecessor of blessed memory that you might keep all the customs of past times which long antiquity has kept up to now, from the beginnings of the ordinances of the blessed Peter, prince of the apostles. And we, following the terms of your request, allow your custom to remain undisturbed, whether as to appointing primates or as to other points, so long as it plainly makes no claim that would harm the catholic faith. Only, as for those who come to the office of bishop from among the Donatists, we absolutely forbid them to be advanced to the dignity of primate, even if their seniority should mark them out for that position. Let it be enough for them to care for the people entrusted to them, without aiming at the highest place of the primacy ahead of those prelates whom the catholic faith has both taught and brought to birth in the bosom of the church.

So, most dear brothers, be ahead of our warnings in the zeal of the Lord’s love, knowing that the strict Judge will examine everything we do, and will approve each of us, not by the privilege of a higher rank, but by the merits of our works. I beg you, then, love one another, keeping peace among yourselves in Christ, and with one purpose of heart oppose heretics and enemies of the church. Be anxious for the souls of your neighbors. Win to the faith all you can by the preaching of love, while also holding before them the terror of the judgment to come, since you are appointed to be shepherds, and the Lord of the flocks expects from the shepherds to whom he has entrusted them the fruit of a multiplied flock. And if he foresees his own flock growing because you give it more diligent care, he will surely adorn you with many gifts of the heavenly kingdom. Furthermore, sending you the greeting of brotherly love, I pray the Lord to make you, whom he has chosen to be shepherds of souls, worthy in his sight, and himself so to order our deeds here that he may accept them as they deserve in the life to come.