To Romanus the Defensor, on Not Shielding the Guilty

Gregory to Romanus, and so on. [a]

It has come to our ears that certain men with far too little judgment want to entangle us in their risks. They wish to be defended by church people in such a way that the church people themselves are bound up in their guilt. So by this present order I warn you, and through you our brother and fellow bishop the lord John, and any others whom it may concern: as for the church’s patronage of people, whether you have received letters from me or none have been sent to you, give it with such restraint that if any have been involved in stealing public funds, they may not appear to be unjustly defended by us. Otherwise we might in some way bring on ourselves, by venturing on an unwise defense, the bad name of evildoers. But as far as befits the church, help whom you can by admonishing them and by speaking a word of intercession for them, so that you may both give them help and not stain the good name of the holy church. [b]