To Andrew, Bishop of Taranto, on the Charges Against Him

Gregory to Andrew, bishop of Taranto. [a]

A person can look without fear to the court of the eternal Judge, if only, knowing his own guilt, he strives to appease him by fitting repentance. Now, we find it plainly true that you had a concubine, and about her a damaging suspicion has also arisen in the minds of some. But since in doubtful cases judgment ought not to be final, we have chosen to leave the matter to your own conscience. If, then, you remember having been defiled by sexual intercourse after you were placed in sacred orders, you must resign the dignity of the priesthood, and you must not on any account presume to approach its ministry. Know that you would carry it out at the peril of your soul, and would certainly have to give an account to our God, if, knowing yourself guilty of this crime, you wished to stay in the order you hold while hiding the truth. So we urge you again: if you know that you have been deceived by the cunning of the ancient enemy, hurry to overcome him while you can by sufficient repentance, so that you may not (as we hope will not happen) be counted his partner on the day of judgment. If, however, you are not aware of this guilt in yourself, you must by all means stay in the order you hold. [b]

Furthermore, against all due order you condemned a woman on the church’s roll to be cruelly beaten with clubs. Although we do not think that she died eight months afterward, yet because you had no regard for your order, we sentence you to abstain from celebrating mass for two months. Meanwhile, while you are suspended from your office, it is fitting that you should weep over what you have done. For it is entirely right that, since the examples of praiseworthy priests do not move you to the calm uprightness that suits your position, at least the medicine of correction should compel you. [c]