教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 185 章

Gregory to the clergy, the order, and the people dwelling at Perusia. We marvel, most beloved brethren in Christ, why you look upon the Church of God so long a time without a rector, and give no thought to the governance of yourselves and of the whole people. For it is well known that a flock, if the shepherd's care be lacking, wanders through trackless ways, and on this account the more easily falls into the snares of the lurking enemy.

Wherefore it is necessary, in the fear of the Lord, to seek out from among those who serve the Church one who can worthily undertake the ministry of a Pastor, and there, under the Lord's protection, take his place as dispenser of the divine sacraments; so that he may both daily offer the holocaust of a pure mind for the children of your Church, and show the flock the way by which it may advance to the heavenly fatherland.