To Romanus the Defensor, on Men Who Falsely Call Themselves Defensors

Gregory to Romanus, and so on. [a]

It has come to our ears that the tonsuratores in Sicily, with wicked presumption, take for themselves the name of defensors, and that they are not only of no use to the interests of the church, but also take occasion from this to commit many wrongdoings. So by this present authority we instruct your experience to look into this carefully. And if you find any, apart from those who have letters authorizing them in such business, taking this title for themselves from now on, put a stop to it by strict correction. If, however, you discover any who have shown themselves energetic and faithful in the church’s affairs, you must send us a full and detailed report on them, so that we may judge whether they are worthy of a letter. [b]

Further, we want you to examine thoroughly the accounts of Fortunatus. When he has settled all the debts that appear against him, do not allow him to have anything more to do with the patrimony, or with any business of our church, since, as we have heard, he has conducted himself in such a way that from now on he ought to have no dealings with our people.

Further, it has been reported to us that a certain Martianus, who has taken for himself the name of a defensor, has refused to obey our brother and fellow bishop John, to whom we had entrusted the care of our patrimony. So inquire; and if it is true, let him be sent into exile, so that his disobedience to the one from whose church he has seized for himself a false title of honor, and who is advancing that church’s interests, may not go unpunished. But if there are any others too who disobey the orders of our brother, you are by all means to punish them strictly. [c]