To Constantius, Bishop of Milan, on the Bishops Who Withdrew from Him

Gregory to Constantius, bishop of Milan. My most beloved son, the deacon Boniface, has passed on to me certain private information from your fraternity’s letter: that three bishops, having looked for an occasion rather than found one, have separated themselves from the devout communion of your fraternity, saying that you have agreed to the condemnation of the Three Chapters and have given a written pledge. Now your fraternity remembers well whether any mention at all was made of the Three Chapters, in any word or writing. It is true that your fraternity’s predecessor, Laurentius, did send a most binding pledge to the Apostolic See, which a lawful number of most noble men signed. I too signed it among them, since at that time I held the praetorship of the city. For after so great a schism had arisen over nothing, it was right that the Apostolic See should take care to guard in every way the unity of the universal church in the minds of priests. But as to the report that our daughter, Queen Theodelinda, has withdrawn from your communion after hearing this news, it is plain on every count that, though she has been led astray a little by the words of bad men, she will seek the communion of your fraternity in every way once Hippolytus the notary and John the abbot arrive. I have also written her a letter, which I ask your fraternity to forward to her without delay. And about the bishops who seem to have separated themselves, I have written another letter. When you have had it shown to them, I do not doubt that they will repent before your fraternity of the superstition of their pride. [a]

Further, you have told me accurately and briefly what has been done, whether by King Ago or by the kings of the Franks. I ask your fraternity to let me know in every way whatever you have found out so far. But if you see that Ago, king of the Lombards, is getting nowhere with the patrician, promise him on our behalf that I am ready to give attention to his case, if he is willing to arrange anything with the state to its advantage. [f]