Gregory to Fortunatus, bishop of Naples. Although both reason and the character of your position admonish your fraternity to extend protection to monasteries, and especially to those established under your authority, nevertheless, because Fuscus the abbot, the bearer of the present letter, wished his monastery to be commended to us by way of superabundance,
we exhort you with these words that, since he asserts that the said monastery labors in vain under the disturbance of those who come to it, the protection of your holiness may guard it, and may not permit it to be burdened by anyone contrary to the order of reason; so that, while no weight of unjust matter afflicts it, both you may be seen to have salubriously discharged what belongs to a priest, and the community dwelling there, which is occupied in the praises of God, may not be liable to be subjected to any unreasonable annoyances.