Gregory to Venantius bishop of Luni. What is the complaint of Adeodata, the handmaid of God and bearer of the present letter, against Fidentia her mother, your fraternity will learn from the page of the petition presented, which is contained below. And since the judgment of equity admonishes that the greatest episcopal support ought, with reason preserved, to be present to the converted, therefore we exhort your fraternity by this letter to have the said mother summoned before her, and by tranquil exhortation to persuade her that she should not cease to do of her own accord that to which she can by legal reason be compelled—so that neither may the one be afflicted, nor the other seem to sustain prejudice.
But if she—which we do not believe—should wish to defer your admonition, extend to the said Adeodata, the religious woman, protection against her, and by your comforts assist her more insistently before the judge, or wherever the need shall require. And so devote yourselves to prosecuting this case that, constrained by legal reason, she may against her will be urged to do what of her own accord she puts off. But let your fraternity, with equity preserved, hold the said bearer commended in all things, so that, with you extending protection to her, she may—God protecting her—remain without any disturbance in the habit which she has taken up.