To All the Bishops of Sicily, on Peter the Subdeacon and a Yearly Council

Gregory, servant of the servants of God, to all the bishops appointed throughout Sicily. [a]

We have seen clearly that it is very necessary, as our predecessors thought fit to do, to entrust all things to one and the same person, so that where we cannot be present ourselves, our authority may be represented through the one to whom we send our instructions. For this reason, with the help of God, we have appointed Peter, subdeacon of our see, as our representative in the province of Sicily. Nor can we have any doubt about the conduct of one to whom, with the help of God, we are known to have entrusted the charge of all the estates of our church. [c] We have also seen clearly that this ought to be done: that once a year all of you, our brothers, should meet at Syracuse or Catania, receiving the honor due to you, as we have instructed him. There, together with Peter, the subdeacon of our see named above, you may settle with fitting judgment whatever concerns the good of the churches of the province, or the relief of the needs of the poor and the oppressed, or the admonition of all, and the correction of any whose wrongdoing may perhaps be proved. Far from that council be quarrels, which are the food of crimes. Let inward grudges die away, and that discord of souls which is hateful beyond measure. Let harmony pleasing to God, and love, prove you to be his priests. Conduct everything, then, with such deliberation and calm that your gathering may most worthily be called a council of bishops. [d]