Letter 2.35 to Bishop Felix of Agropoli in Campania (July 592)
Gregory to Felix, bishop of Agropoli, visitor of the province of Lucania
Since the churches of Velia, Buxentum and Blanda, which are situated in your neighborhood, are known to be without the control of a bishop, for that reason we solemnly enjoin your Fraternity to take on the task of visiting them. We warn you of this before all else, that wherever in the above-mentioned churches or in their dioceses [or parishes: dioceses], either deacons or other religious persons are found, you will take care that they are living strictly and according to canon law in every way. They are not to have the freedom to transgress indiscriminately in any matter. But let them through your control and forethought, persevere in their religious way of life and condition (habitus), and know that, if anything is undertaken badly by them, it must be charged totally to your neglect.
And if you see that some presbyters or deacons should be ordained in some of the churches, you will have the full freedom to ordain them, provided they are persons of such a sort as not to be reproved in any way by canon laws or for the quality of their life. But find out with a very careful inquiry where the sacred vessels of the same churches have been hidden. When they have been found, quickly bring it to our notice, so that we may dispose of them, knowing with God's help what should be done.
(trans. Martyn 2004: 213-214, altered by J. Szafranowski)