To Six Bishops of Sicily, Commending Adrian the Chartulary

Gregory to Leo, Secundinus, John, Donus, Lucidus and Trajan, bishops of Sicily.

As we are urged by the words of the apostles to give one another spiritual help, so it is fitting that the help of priests should not be lacking in the matters that, by God’s ordering, we may have to settle by virtue of the government laid on us for managing the affairs of the poor. Accordingly, in sending the bearer of this letter, Adrian our chartulary, to govern the patrimony of our church in the district of Syracuse, we have thought it necessary to commend him to your fraternity, so that, where custom calls for it, you may give him your help. So, while he is supported by you with bodily aid in doing his work, and with the spiritual aid of your prayers in carrying out easily whatever he undertakes, he may be able, with God also working with him, to accomplish successfully what we have charged him with. As for yourselves, you should so conduct yourselves in good works before the face of Almighty God that nothing may be found in your doings that the judgment of God might strike, or for which any man whatever lying in wait against you might accuse you. For we have charged our chartulary that, if he should come to know of any disorderly doings on the part of our most reverend brothers the bishops, he should first take them to task himself with private and modest admonition, and, if such things are not corrected, he should inform us of them quickly. [a]

Further, it has been reported to us that in the time of our predecessor of holy memory, the deacon Servusdei, who then had charge of the church’s patrimony, arranged that the priests of your several dioceses should not be burdened beyond measure when you go out to seal infants. For a certain sum had been fixed, and this, as I hear, with your consent, to be given by these priests for the services of the clergy. And this arrangement, which was approved then, is said to be by no means kept now. So I urge your fraternity to try not to be a burden to those under you, and, if they have any grievances, to lighten them, seeing also that you ought not to have gone back on what had once been settled. For you will be looking after your own interest both in the future life and in this one if you keep those entrusted to you free from grievance. [b]