E06884: Three letters of Pope Vitalian I (657-72), of disputed authenticity, condemn the removal of relics of *Benedict (of Nursia, monk, ob. 547, S01727) from Montecassino, central Italy, and their translation to Fleury (central Gaul), in c. 660. Written in Latin in Rome.

Vitalian I, Letter 6

Extract:

Audivimus, quod sine gravi dolore loqui non possumus, quemdam vestri coenobii gyrovagum, Augulfum nomine, suggestione diabolica Casinum venisse, et effracto beati Benedicti sepulcro, ejus reliquias diminuisse.

We have heard, and we cannot say this without grave sorrow, that a certain wandering monk of yours called Augulf, at the suggestion of the devil, came to Montecassino, smashed open the tomb of Benedict and took some of [lit: diminished] his relics.

Vitalian continues to condemn this violation and insists that the relics be returned to Montecassino.

Vitalian I, Letter 7

Addressed to Clovis, king of the Franks. This letter condemns the theft in the same terms as the previous letter and informs Clovis of the papal decision to excommunicate both Augulf and his ‘false’ abbot Mommulus.

Vitalian I, Letter 9

Addressed to the bishops of Spain and Gaul. This letter also condemns the theft and informs these bishops of the excommunication of Augulf and Mommulus.

Text: Patrologia Latina 87. Translation and Summary: Frances Trzeciak.