ADALBERO OF METZ

Two bishops of the See of Metz.

Adalbero I, bishop, statesman, monastic reformer; d. Saint-Trond, Belgium, April 26, 962. Son of Count Wigerich and brother of Duke Frederick of Upper Lorraine, Adalbero succeeded benno as bishop of Metz, the chief see of Lorraine, in 929. Always politically active, he joined the rebellion against otto i (938–940), with the intention of transferring Lorraine to French suzerainty. Failing in this enterprise, he thereafter remained on close, friendly terms with the German court. In 950 Adalbero intervened in France as mediator between Hugh the Great and Louis IV. He gave vital support to the monastic reform movement by reforming gorze abbey in 933 and appointing Abbot Ainald. Subsequently he introduced Gorze monks into his own cathedral chapter at St. Arnulf's, and reformed other houses including Moyenmoutier and Saint-Trond, of which Adalbero himself was abbot.

Adalbero II, bishop, monastic reformer; b. c. 955–962; d. Dec. 14, 1005. Nephew of Adalbero I, and son of Duke Frederick, he was reared at Gorze and elected bishop of Verdun in 984. He was then transferred immediately to Metz through his mother's influence. More ascetic and less interested in politics than his uncle, he devoted his attention chiefly to his spiritual tasks. He introduced the Cluniac reform into Lorraine, rebuilt the dilapidated Abbey of St. Symphorian, founded three abbeys for women, and seconded, but not always wisely, Emperor henry ii's ecclesiastical policy. He promoted education and made Metz the intellectual center of Upper Lorraine. He enjoyed a local, unofficial cult as a beatus.

Feast: Dec. 15.

[r. h. schmandt]