To Romanus and the Other Defensors, on Bishops Living with Women

Gregory to Romanus the defensor, Fantinus the defensor, Sabinus the subdeacon, Sergius the defensor, Boniface the defensor, and the six patrons. Sent in identical copies. [a]

Cautious foresight knows how to block the way against faults and to avoid what is harmful; in the same way neglect opens the way to excesses, and usually brings on what ought to have been guarded against. So we ought to give very careful attention, and see to both the good name and the safety of our brothers and priests. Now it has come to our ears that certain of the bishops, under the pretext, as it were, of help, live together in one house with women. So, in case just occasion for slander should be given to scoffers by this, or the ancient enemy of the human race should take advantage of an easy opportunity for deceit, we instruct you by the wording of this order to show yourself energetic and careful. If any of the bishops within the bounds of the patrimony entrusted to you are living with women, put a complete stop to it, and from now on by no means allow any women to live with them, except those whom the rule of the sacred canons allows, that is, a mother, an aunt, a sister, and others of this kind, about whom there can be no evil suspicion. Yet they do better if they refrain from living together even with such as these. For we read that the blessed Augustine refused to live even with his sister, saying, “Those who are with my sister are not my sisters.” [b]

The caution of a learned man, then, ought to be a great lesson to us. For it is a mark of careless presumption for one who is less firm not to fear what a strong man is afraid of. For he wisely overcomes what is unlawful who has learned not to use even what is allowed him. And indeed we bind no one in this matter against his will; but, as physicians usually do, we prescribe carefulness for health’s sake, even though it is unpleasant for the time. So we lay down no binding obligation; but if any choose to imitate a learned and holy man, we leave it to their own will. Let your experience, then, act with zeal and care to see that what we have ordered to be forbidden is observed. For if hereafter it should happen to be found otherwise, know that you will run no slight risk with us. Further, be sure to urge these same bishops, our brothers, to admonish those under them, namely those placed in sacred orders, to observe in every way, after their example, what they themselves observe; with this one addition, that these, as canonical authority has decreed, are not to leave the wives whom they ought to govern chastely. Given in the month of March, in the second indiction. [c]