Letter 4044: King Theodoric to Antonius, Venerable Bishop of Pola [modern Pula, on the coast of Istria].

44. King Theoderic to Antonius, the venerable man, Bishop of Pola. [1] A complaint against one to whom the rights of reverence are to be preserved is an odious thing, since some grave deed is believed to have been committed wherever silence is not kept against such men. For Stephanus, in a tearful petition, has lamented that a dwelling of his own right, possessed through a long span of time before your predecessor and the one who preceded him, was, about nine months ago, seized by men of the church over which you preside, in contempt of the order of civil law. And if you recognize that it was so done, restore it by the law of possession to the suppliant, out of consideration for justice. For it is fitting that what ought not to have been committed by your own household be corrected by you. [2] Nevertheless, if you recognize that justice is on your side, whether in a matter of possession or of principal ownership, then, the business having first been carefully examined and inspected -- since it is not fitting for a priest to prolong a dishonorable lawsuit -- send to our court a person instructed in the laws, where the nature of the business ought to be ascertained and brought to an end. Wherefore let your Holiness's mind not be burdened, nor grieve at being accused with deceitful words: a reputation cleared is far greater than if it had not been assailed by complaints that came to nothing.

XLIIII. ANTONIO VIRO VENERABILI POLENSI EPISCOPO THEODERICUS REX. [1] Invidiosa est contra eum querela, cui sunt reverentiae iura servanda, quia nescio quid admissum grave creditur, ubi contra tales silentium non tenetur. Stephanus siquidem flebili aditione conquestus est casam iuris sui ante decessorem prodecessoremque vestrum longa aetate possessam ante hos fere novem menses ab hominibus ecclesiae, cui praesidetis, despecto civilitatis ordine fuisse pervasam. quod si ita factum esse cognoscitis, eam iustitiae consideratione momenti iure restituite supplicanti. decet enim a vobis corrigi, quod a vestris familiaribus non debuisset admitti. [2] Verumtamen si partibus vestris in causa momentaria vel principali iustitiam adesse cognoscitis, tractato prius diligenter inspectoque negotio, quia sacerdotem protendere non decet improbam litem, instructam legibus ad comitatum nostrum destinate personam, ubi qualitas negotii agnosci debeat et finiri. quapropter sanctitatis vestrae animus non gravetur nec se fallacibus verbis doleat accusatum: multo maior est opinio purgata, quam si desinentibus querelis non fuerit impetita.