Saint Peter Damian

Saint Peter Damian , Ital. Pietro Damiani, 1007?-1072, Italian reformer, b. Ravenna. He became a Camaldolese monk at Fonte-Avellino (near Gubbio) and because of his rigor and asceticism was made prior. He was a strong advocate of church reform and wrote (c.1050) the Liber Gomorrhianus, a scathing denunciation of clerical immorality and homosexuality that created a sensation. In 1057 Stephen IX made him a cardinal against his will. Nicholas II sent him as legate to Milan, notorious for simony and clerical concubinage. In 1069 Alexander II sent him as legate to settle the quarrel between Roman Emperor Henry IV and the empress. In the dispute with Berengar of Tours Peter deprecated the application of reason in theology. Feast: Feb. 23.

Peter Damian, St (1007–72). Monk and cardinal. In 1035 he entered on an ascetic life in the Benedictine hermitage at Fonte Avella. About 1043 he became prior and was active in monastic reform and as a preacher against the worldliness of the clergy. Made cardinal bishop of Ostia (against his will) in 1057, he played a prominent part in the reform movement that heralded the Hildebrandine Reform. He was influential too as theologian and spiritual writer. In 1828, he was pronounced Doctor of the Church.

Peter Damian, St (1007–72), reformer. Born in Ravenna, in 1035 he entered the hermitage of Fonte Avella, and c.1043 was chosen prior. He became famous as an uncompromising preacher against the worldliness and simoniacal practices of the clergy and in 1057 was made Cardinal Bishop of Ostia. He was an important thinker in the spheres of theology and canon law; he defended the validity of sacraments administered by priests guilty of simony against the rigorist views of Humbert of Silva Candida and he wrote a treatise against homosexuality. Feast day, 21 Feb.