To the People of Naples, on Electing a Bishop

Gregory to the clergy, the nobles, the gentry and the common people living at Naples. [a]

The sincere devotion of spiritual sons toward their mother church needs no urging. Still, it ought to be stirred up by letter, so that it does not think itself neglected. For this reason I come to your love with a father’s loving admonition: that with many tears and with one accord we give thanks to our Redeemer. He has not let you walk along pathless ways under so perverse a teacher, but has made public the crimes of your unworthy pastor. For Demetrius, who even before this had not deserved to be called a bishop, has been found to be involved in dealings to such an extent and of such a kind that, had he been judged without mercy according to the nature of his deeds, he would undoubtedly have been condemned to a very harsh death under both divine and human laws. But since he has been kept for penance and deprived of the dignity of the priesthood, we cannot allow the church of God to remain long without a teacher. For it is laid down by the rules of the canons that when a pastor dies or is removed, the church should not be deprived of the priesthood for long. [b]

So I have thought it necessary to admonish your love by this letter, so that neither delay nor the discord that so often breeds scandals may arise to hinder your election of a pontiff. Seek out with all care a man in whom all can rejoice by common consent, and who is in no way ruled out by the sacred canons. Then the office that the most wicked of men polluted by his evil administration may be worthily filled and administered by whoever is ordained, by the grace of Christ and with his approval.