| CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: HERIBERT, SAINT |
| Michael Ott
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| Archbishop
of Cologne; born at Worms, c. 970; died at Cologne, 16 March, 1021. His father
was Duke Hugo of Worms. After receiving his education at the cathedral school of
Worms, he spent some time as guest at the monastery of Gorze, after which he
became provost at the cathedral of Worms. In 994 he was ordained priest; in the
same year King Otto III appointed him chancellor for Italy and four years later
also for Germany, a position which he held until the death of Otto III on 23
January, 1002. As chancellor he was the most influential adviser of Otto III,
whom he accompanied to Rome in 906 and again in 997. He was still in Italy when,
in 999, he was elected Archbishop of Cologne. At Benevento he received
ecclesiastical investiture and the pallium from Pope Sylvester II on 9 July,
999, and on the following Christmas Day he was consecrated at Cologne. In 1002
he was present at the death-bed of the youthful emperor at Paterno. While
returning to Germany with the emperor's remains and the imperial insignia, he
was held captive for some time by the future King Henry II, whose candidacy he
first opposed. As soon as Henry II was elected king, on 7 June, 1002, Heribert
acknowledged him as such, accompanied him to Rome in 1004, mediated between him
and the House of Luxemburg, and served him faithfully in many other ways; but he
never won his entire confidence until the year 1021, when the king saw his
mistake and humbly begged pardon on the archbishop. Heribert founded and richly
endowed the Benedictine monastery and church of Deutz, where he lies buried. He
was already honoured as a saint during his lifetime. Between 1073 and 1075 he
was canonized by Pope Gregory VII. His feast is celebrated on 16 March.
Transcribed by Breier Scheetz
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