Gregory to Talitanus. Since we ought to presume upon you with so great a charity that, if the advantages of our Church were being transacted before others, we would there employ your Glory as a helper, we ought all the more to rejoice inasmuch as the cause is among yourselves, because you ought not to neglect that which, for love of blessed Peter the chief of the Apostles, you could render on his behalf before others. Since, therefore, we have learned that the care of the public patrimony has been committed to your administration, therefore, greeting you with fatherly sweetness, we commend to you, according to justice, the patrimony which belongs to our Church.
In which, if perchance—as is wont to happen—public officials, having found an occasion, should wish to inflict any trouble, let the goodness of your Greatness not permit this to be done, but let it protect that property from all the disturbance of men. And so let it attend to the interests of the poor, with reason preserved, that it may fulfil the office of almsgiving while justice is kept, and that from this a greater reward may accrue to you before the eyes of God. We exhort you, therefore, most beloved son, so to show yourselves kindly, both concerning the advantages of our Church which you love, and also in all the cares of the Churches, as you ought, that both you may healthfully fulfil the things enjoined, and may render Almighty God—which is to be striven for above all—propitious to you.