To Paulus, Bishop of Naples

Gregory to Paulus, and so on. [a]

If we carry out safely the priestly office we have received, then without doubt neither divine help nor the affection of our spiritual sons will be lacking to us. So let your fraternity take care to show yourself such in all things that the testimony the clergy, the nobility and all the people of the city of Naples together give of you may be strengthened as your goodness grows. You ought, then, to bind yourself to constant work in exhorting this people, so that the divine Farmer may store in his barns the fruit of your word, which you will have gathered from them by your labors. But until such time as we can, God revealing his will to us, deliberate about what our sons ask us to do, we grant leave for clergy to be ordained from among the lay people, and also for the freeing of slaves to be solemnly performed before you in that same church. [c]

We also want you to keep without hesitation the customs of the clergy and of the presbyters of that church. And keep such careful watch in instructing them that, abstaining from everything unsuitable or unlawful, they may stand firm under your exhortations, serving with due obedience in the service of our God. The month of January, the tenth indiction.