Letter 4.39 to clergy, decurions and people living in Ortona (August 594)
Gregory informs the clergy of Ortona that, as its bishop has recently passed away, he sent another bishop to assist at the time of transition. His name and see are missing, but he was probably from a nearby city . He will have the right to ordain presbyters and bishops from those worthy of such rank. Gregory warns the clerics against backing a lay candidate in the forthcoming election of the new bishop. Clerics supporting a layman for the bishopric will be demoted and excommunicated.
(ed. Norberg 1982: 260–261, summarized by J. Szafranowski)