Letter CCCLVIII. To Pope Celestine

(A.D. 1142.)

He implores the assistance and influence of the Pope to obtain peace for Theobald, Count of Champagne.¹

That which Count Theobald asks of you I ask also; he is a son of peace, and we entreat you that it maybe brought about by your assistance. Your Apostolate is one of peace; the position which you hold is a debtor to peace. All love peace, but few merit it. But it cannot be denied that your son is one of those who love peace; whether he merits it likewise it is for you to judge. And if neither he nor I merit it, the necessity of the Spouse of Christ, that is, the Church, requires it; and the friend of the Bridegroom will not distress her.² It belongs to the Apostolic See alone to extend its solicitude over all the Churches, that all may be united under it and in it; it is its duty, then, to be careful for all, to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Give us, then, this peace, send peace to us: if not to acquit yourself of an obligation towards us, at least because you ought to obey [the duty imposed upon you]. Enough for a command.