IV.18
KING THEODORICUS TO THE ADMIRABLE MAN, COMES ANNA
It is custom of Our Clemency to assign tasks to persons whom we trust so that when, on mature consideration, we delegate judges to preside over things, there is no place for the vile deception. A short while ago a report of many people reached our attention that the presbyter Laurentius having digged out bodily ashes was looking for the grave goods among the corpses and disturbed the dead, though he should rather preach peace to the living. It is said that he did not keep away his hands, dedicated to the pious consecrations from such a cruel contagion: he was looking with detestable eagerness for the gold, though he should rather give his property or the goods justly collected to the poor. We instruct you to investigate this case carefully so that, if you ascertain that these reports are truthful, you could end his pursuits in the way that the presbyter would not be able to keep what he was not allowed to find. The crime, which we leave unpunished for the sake of the priestly honour, will be punished, we believe, by the higher power.
(trans. M. Szada)