To Januarius, Bishop of Cagliari, on a Bishop for Phausiana

Gregory to Januarius, bishop of Cagliari. It has come to our knowledge that in the place in the province of Sardinia called Phausiana it was once the custom, so it is said, to ordain a bishop, but that through the pressure of circumstances the custom has long fallen out of use. We are aware that now, because there are so few priests, certain pagans remain there, living like wild beasts and entirely ignorant of the worship of God. So we urge your fraternity to hurry to ordain a bishop there in the ancient way: one, that is, who is suited to this work and will take pains, with a shepherd’s zeal, to bring wanderers into the Lord’s flock. Then, while he gives himself there to the saving of souls, you will not be found to have asked for something needless, and we will not regret having restored to no purpose what had once been given up. [a]