Gregory to Columbus, bishop of Numidia. How grave and intolerable even to hear is the complaint of Donadeus, bearer of these presents, who asserts that he had been a deacon, the petition given by him, which is contained in the following, will make manifest to your Fraternity. But since it has come to us that he had been deposed for a bodily sin, let your Love investigate this by a subtle inquiry, and if it is so, let him be thrust into penitence, that he may be able by tears to loose the bond of the crime committed. But if he shall be shown innocent and free from such a perpetration, then together with the primate of the council, or other of our brothers and fellow bishops, all things which his petition contains are to be sought out by you with diligent examination.
And if his complaint is supported by truth, then let this strictness of canonical vigour be maintained against his bishop Victor, who did not fear to commit so great a wickedness against God and against the priestly resolve, so that from your definition he may understand how iniquitous was what he did, and here may be restored to his order; since it is proved to be perverse enough and against ecclesiastical censure, that anyone should be deprived in vain for the wills of certain persons, whom his own fault or crime does not cast down from the grade of the office he discharges (Gratian, dist. 55, c. 7).