Letters325 Letter CCCXXV. 1139.) to the same, respecting the novice idiek
Letter CCCXXV. 1139.) to the same, respecting the novice idiek
Bernard advises, in answer to his inquiry, what course should be taken with a novice of difficult character, named Idier.
To his very dear brother and co-Abbot, ROBERT, of Dunes, Brother BERNARD, called Abbot of Clairvaux, wishes health.
On the subject of the religious whom you have mentioned to me, and whom you believe will be not only useless, but also a burden to the community, without speaking of secret defects, such as you suspect, I will give you such counsel as I should act on myself were I in your place. After what you have told me, it seems to me that during his probation he has shown himself neither worthy nor capable of being rendered so, and that, therefore, you are able with a good conscience to put away an evil person from among you. If, however, it pleases your charity to exalt mercy above judgment, you are able to allow him to remain in your house as long as you shall see tit, but without permitting him to take the vows. But I dissuade you most strongly from receiving him to profession whilst he is in this condition; and let him be subjected to a new probation if perchance he should show any sign of becoming that which he ought to be. If not, use resolutely your power of expulsion, so that one diseased sheep may not infect the entire flock.
Amantissimo fratri et coabbati suo ROBERTO de Dunis, frater BERNARDUS Clarae-Vallis dictus abbas salutem.
Super hoc fratre, quem adeo non solum inutilem, sed etiam onerosum esse nuntiastis, absque eo quod intrinsecus latet; quale nobis ipsis, tale et vestrae Dilectioni damus consilium. Nobis siquidem videtur pro his quae de ipso retulistis, quod in probatione sua se nec probabilem exhibuit, nec receptibilem: et ideo meruit ut rationabiliter, et sana conscientia valeatis malum auferre ex vobis. Verumtamen si pietati vestrae placet superexaltare misericordiam judicio, adhuc ipsum potestis retinere sine professione, quanto vobis tempore videbitur. Hoc autem omnino dissuademus, ne eum in hoc statu recipiatis ad professionem: sed iterum probetur, si forte se talem exhibere valeat, qualem debet. Sin autem, ferro abscissionis utendum est, ne una ovis morbida totum gregem contaminet.