Letter 1.50 to the DefensorSymmachus (June 591)
Gregory to the Defensor Symmachus
Symmachus is sent by Gregory along with Abbot Orosius to inspect the monasteries on Corsica and the nearby islands.
We wish furthermore that the priests who are staying in Corsica should be prohibited from living with women, except of course a mother, sister, or wife, whose chastity should be preserved. As for the three [priests?] about whom your Experience wrote to the aforesaid son of mine, Deacon Boniface, saying that they were greatly in need, spend on them whatever you think is sufficient. We shall enter this in your accounts afterwards.
(trans. Martyn 2004: 175, slightly altered and summarised by J. Szafranowski)