Gregory to Pantaleo the notary. Evangelus, deacon of the Church of Siponto, has complained to us that his daughter was—which is a crime even to speak of—violated by Felix. On which account, supported by the authority of this precept, it is necessary for you to set out for the city of Siponto, and, wise men of that place being taken to yourself, with all subtlety you will take care to acquire the truth; and if you shall so find it, either let him who violated her receive her as a wife with the nuptial instruments drawn up, or, having chastised him bodily, you shall hasten to hand him over, deprived of communion, into a monastery, where he may perform penance; in such wise that thenceforth there be for him no license whatsoever of departing, unless perchance our precept shall have permitted this.
Moreover, because the above-written deacon relates that he was redeemed from enemies and on that account has a debt, therefore, if you shall have ascertained that his substance is not such as could suffice for the repaying of that same debt, we command you to press upon Felix, our brother and fellow bishop, that he defer not to give its price from the Church, so that the above-written deacon Evangelus may without any delay be freed from the necessity of the debt to which he is subjected.