Alberic of Monte Cassino
Encyclopedia
Alberic of Monte Cassino was a Cardinal
in the Roman Catholic Church
who died in 1088. He was a cardinal from 1057.
He was (perhaps) a native of Trier
, and became a Benedictine
. He opposed successfully the teachings of Berengarius, which were considered heretical by the Pope, defended the measures of Gregory VII
during the Investiture Controversy
, and composed several theological and scientific works, lives of saints, etc.
He is the author of the earliest medieval treatise on ars dictaminis
, or letter-writing (De dictamine).
Many of his letters are to be found in the works of St. Peter Damian.
One of his pupils, John of Gaeta, was the future Pope Gelasius II
.
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
in the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
who died in 1088. He was a cardinal from 1057.
He was (perhaps) a native of Trier
Trier
Trier, historically called in English Treves is a city in Germany on the banks of the Moselle. It is the oldest city in Germany, founded in or before 16 BC....
, and became a Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
. He opposed successfully the teachings of Berengarius, which were considered heretical by the Pope, defended the measures of Gregory VII
Pope Gregory VII
Pope St. Gregory VII , born Hildebrand of Sovana , was Pope from April 22, 1073, until his death. One of the great reforming popes, he is perhaps best known for the part he played in the Investiture Controversy, his dispute with Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor affirming the primacy of the papal...
during the Investiture Controversy
Investiture Controversy
The Investiture Controversy or Investiture Contest was the most significant conflict between Church and state in medieval Europe. In the 11th and 12th centuries, a series of Popes challenged the authority of European monarchies over control of appointments, or investitures, of church officials such...
, and composed several theological and scientific works, lives of saints, etc.
He is the author of the earliest medieval treatise on ars dictaminis
Ars dictaminis
The ars dictaminis was the medieval description of the art of prose composition, and more specifically of the writing of letters . It is closely linked to the ars dictandi, covering the composition of documents other than letters. The standing assumption was that these writings would be composed in...
, or letter-writing (De dictamine).
Many of his letters are to be found in the works of St. Peter Damian.
One of his pupils, John of Gaeta, was the future Pope Gelasius II
Pope Gelasius II
Pope Gelasius II , born Giovanni Caetani , was pope from January 24, 1118 to January 29, 1119.-Biography:He was born between 1060 and 1064 at Gaeta into the Pisan branch of the Caetani family....
.