Letter 3.48 to Bishop Adeodatus, the primate of Numidia in Africa (July 593)
Gregory to Adeodatus, primate bishop of the province of Numidia
Gregory praises Adeodatus' faith and aknowledges the unity of love and thought between them.
Furthermore, as we greet your Fraternity with a harmonious feeling of affection, we exhort you to endeavor with total application to carry out your office of primate, which you hold by God's authority, with great wisdom. Thus it may both profit your soul to have reached this rank, and a good example for imitation may be available for others in the future. And so be especially careful in ordination, and in no way allow man to aspire to holy order unless more advanced in age and pure in deed. Otherwise, perhaps they may cease to be forever what they immaturely hasten to become. First examine the life and morals of those who are to be placed in holy orders and, so that you can admit those who are worthy of this office, do not let the influence or prayers of any persons hinder your judgement. In truth before all else you ought to take care that no venality occurs in ordination, in case (Heaven forbid!) a great danger threatens both those consecrated and those concecrating. Therefore, if action is necessary over this, invite serious and experienced men to participate in your councils [i.e. the council already convoked by Adeodatus for the same year], and judge this matter with a common deliberation. And before all others, it is Columbus, our brother and fellow-bishop, whom you should consult over any matter at all.
(trans. Martyn 2004: 267, altered and summarized by J. Szafranowski)