To Peter the Subdeacon, on Marcellus and the Churches without Bishops

Gregory to Peter, and so on. [a]

We have been told that Marcellus of the Barutanian church, who has been assigned to do penance in the monastery of Saint Adrian in that same city of Palermo, is not only short of food but also suffers hardship from want of clothing. So we think it necessary to direct your activity, by this present order, to provide for him as much food, clothing and bedding as you see he needs for his own keep, along with provision for his servant. In this way his want and nakedness will be met with such timely care that what you assign to him may afterward be counted to your own account. So act, then, that you both carry out our command and, by arranging this very thing well, may yourself share in the profit of it. [b]

There is also another matter we direct you to see to, without regard to the old custom that has now grown up. If any cities in the province of Sicily, for their sins, are known to be without pastoral government through the lapses of their priests, you should see whether there is anyone worthy of the office of the priesthood among the clergy of those churches themselves, or from the monasteries. First inquire into the seriousness of their conduct, and then send them to us, so that the flock in each place may not be left destitute for any length of time through the lapse of its pastor. But if you find any vacant place in which no one of that same church is found fit for such a dignity, send us word after the same careful inquiry, so that someone may be provided whom God has judged worthy of such ordination. For it is not right that, because one man has gone astray, the Lord’s flock should be in danger of wandering about among cliffs without a shepherd. In this way the government of these places will go on, and no suspicion will remain that the lapsed are being restored to their former rank; and so they may repent the better.