Gerald of Braga, St.

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GERALD OF BRAGA, ST.

Monk, bishop; d. Dec. 5, 1108. Gerald became a Benedictine of the Cluniac observance at the Abbey of moissac. In 1086, another Cluniac, Bernard of Salvetat, abbot of Sahagún, was promoted to the archbishopric of Toledo, which had been recovered from the Moors by King Alfonso VI of León-Castile in the previous year. Then, in 1088, Bernard was named primate of Spain by Pope urban ii. In the process of developing a capable and learned hierarchy, Bernard invited Gerald to join him, consecrating him bishop of Braga, 1096. This see, the metropolitan of Galicia before the Moslem conquest, had been reestablished by King García in 1070, and on Dec. 28, 1099, it was restored to metropolitan status by Pope paschal ii. On Dec. 5, 1100, at the national council of Palencia, Gerald's cult was formally recognized by his suffragans.

Feast: Dec. 5.

Bibliography: m. de oliveira, Lexikon für Theologie und Kirche. (Freiburg 195765) 4:707.

[a. g. biggs]

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