Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 654

Gregory to Januarius, bishop of Cagliari. In what manner the lesser folk or the poor in Sardinia are oppressed by those who are there the greater, the letters of our most reverend brother Dominicus, bishop of Carthage, and of our most eminent son Innocentius the prefect have shown; and in order that you may know what has been written to us by them, we have provided that copies of those very letters be transmitted to you. And therefore, since the things which are to be sought are offered, it must be zealously acted upon, that those things which are promised may be fulfilled in deed. If any of those concerning whom the question exists should perhaps take refuge in a church, the case must be so disposed by your diligence that neither may they themselves suffer violence, nor may those who are said to be oppressed sustain losses.

Let it therefore be your care that an oath be given to them by those whom it concerns concerning the observance of law and justice, and that they be admonished in all things to go forth, and to render an account of their deeds; for which purpose it also befits you to appoint a defensor of your Church. By whose solicitude the things that were promised them may be observed, so that they may neither be harmful to others, and the ecclesiastical refuges, with reason preserved, may be able to profit them. So therefore let your fraternity act, that no delay or impediment may occur through it in these things which must be corrected by its zeal.