Peter Damian

(1007–72)

   Bishop and Church Reformer.

   Peter Damian was born in Ravenna, Italy, of a poor family. He entered a Benedictine monastery in 1035 and became Prior about eight years later. He was well known as a zealous, reforming preacher and, much against his own desires, he was appointed Cardinal Bishop of Ostia in 1057. He became involved in European diplomacy and was very active in supporting Pope Alexander II against Antipope Honorius II. During his lifetime he enjoyed enormous prestige within the Church and many of his writings survive today. These include a dissertation against clerical marriage and another confirming the validity of simoniacal ordinations. Although he was never formally canonised, he has been recognised as a Doctor of the Church since 1828.

   J.J. Ryan, St Peter Damiani and his Canonical Sources (1956);

   J.P. Whitney, Hildebrandine Essays (1932).