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590 POPE GREGORY THE GREAT
Formulated the official Papal policy regarding Jews; they were to be tolerated according to the regulations passed by the previous council. Gregory objected to forced baptism, but valued converts. This policy which was officially set in canon 60 of the council of Toledo(633), became the basis for the rejection of forced baptism by many Popes. Even anti- Jewish popes like Innocent III rejected forced baptism.
591 TERRACINA, ITALY
The local synagogue was forcibly moved at the orders of Pope Gregory I, on the basis that the prayers there were disturbing Christians.
592 EASTERN EMPEROR MAURICE (Syria)
Punished the entire Jewish community of Antioch after a Jew violated one of his laws.
594 October, POPE GREGORY I
Recommended the use of financial persuasion to convert Jews in Sicily. He did not approve of forced conversion per se, as it could lead to "back sliding".
598 BISHOP VICTOR OF PALERMO (Sicily)
Confiscated the Synagogues of the city together with their guest houses. Since there was no provocation for his action, Pope Gregory forced Bishop Victor to make reparations. The building were not returned to the Jewish community since they had already be consecrated as church property. Gregory's policy regarding synagogues was on one hand not to allow new synagogues to be built, on the other, to leave the old ones undisturbed.
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