XXVIII. How Pope Gregory wrote to the bishop of Arelatus, asking him to help Augustine in the work of God

Such are the answers of Blessed Pope Gregory to the questions of the most reverend Bishop Augustine. The letter which he said he had written to the bishop of Arelat was addressed to Virgil, the heir of Aetherius [266]. Here is its content:

"To the most venerable and holy brother Bishop Virgil – Gregory, servant of the servants of God.

Usually we invite our brothers to us out of love for them, but even more love should be shown to those who come uninvited. Therefore, if our brother Bishop Augustine happens to come to you, receive him with all kindness and love, so that he may be encouraged by your benevolence, and that others may learn from your example the expression of brotherly love. Since it often happens that those who look from afar see better what is to be corrected than those who are assigned to it, I beseech you, brother, if he informs you of the faults of bishops or other persons, to enter into it together with him, and to punish with all severity those acts which are contrary to God and provoke His wrath, so that those guilty of them may be condemned, the innocent are cleansed and all would follow the proper path. God bless you, most reverend brother.

Given on the tenth day before the Kalends of July, in the nineteenth year of the reign of our sovereign, the most pious Augustus Maurice Tiberius, and in the eighteenth year after the consulship of the same lord, in the fourth indiction [267]."

XXIX. How the Pope sent Augustine a pallium with a letter and sent new ministers of the Word to him.

Since Bishop Augustine complained to Pope Gregory that his harvest was great and the reapers were few, he and his envoys sent new co-workers and ministers of the Word to him. The first of these were Mellitus, Justus, Paulinus, and Rufinianus, and with them he sent all the things necessary for the church service and the performance of rites, such as sacred vessels, altar coverings and ornaments, vestments for priests and clerics, relics of the holy apostles and martyrs, and a multitude of books. He also sent a letter informing him of his decision to give Augustine the pallium and instructing him on the proper appointment of bishops in Britain. Here is the text of this letter:

"To the Most Reverend and Most Holy Bishop Augustine – Gregory, Servant of the Servants of God.

Although there is no doubt that those who work for Almighty God will receive unspeakable recompense in the heavenly kingdom, it is necessary to give them what they deserve in order to encourage them to perform their spiritual work more zealously. Since, by the bounty of God and by your own labor, the new church of the Angles has been brought to the grace of God Almighty, we permit you to wear the pallium at the service of mass in the temple. You may consecrate twelve bishops in different places, so that they may be under your command; but the bishop of the city of London in the future must always be consecrated by his own synod and receive the pallium from the holy apostolic see, which I now govern by the grace of God. In the city of Eborac we wish to appoint as bishop one whom you yourself decide to appoint; if this city, together with its environs, is destined to receive the Word of the Lord, then its bishop may also appoint twelve bishops and receive an honorary title, for we intend also to grant him the pallium, if by God's will we live. We desire, brother, that he should obey your will, and after your death that he himself should govern the bishops subject to him, without obeying the authority of the bishop of London. However, the difference in honor between the bishops of the cities of London and Eborak must be preserved, since the first one is recognized as the eldest. Let them act in harmony, consulting with one another and zealously doing the work of Christ, and let them judge justly and pass judgment without contradiction [270].

But you, brother, receive under your command those bishops whom you yourself consecrate, as well as those whom the bishop of Eborak will consecrate, and all the bishops of Britain who obey the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let them see from your words and deeds what true faith and righteous life are, and may they be able to perform their service with faith and righteousness and be vouchsafed the Kingdom of Heaven when it will please the Lord. God bless you, most reverend brother.

Given on the tenth day before the Kalends of July, in the nineteenth year of the reign of our sovereign, the most pious Augustus Maurice Tiberius, and in the eighteenth year after the consulship of the same lord, in the fourth indiction."

XXX. Copy of a letter sent to Abbot Mellit on his way to Britain

When the envoys departed, Blessed Father Gregory sent them a letter after them, once again showing his ardent interest in the salvation of our people. Here is what he wrote:

"To the most beloved son, Abbot Mellitus, Gregory, the servant of the servants of God.