BARONIUS, CAESAR, VEN.

Cardinal and church historian; b. Sora, in the Campagna, Oct. 31, 1538; d. Rome, June 30, 1607. Though descendants of noble families, his parents were of ordinary means. Having completed his elementary education at Veroli, he studied philosophy, theology, and law at Naples until a French invasion in 1557 forced him to continue his studies at Rome; he gained a doctorate in law in utroque, May 30, 1561. In Rome he met Philip neri and placed himself under his spiritual guidance. Though Philip had not yet established the Congregation of the Oratory, he had begun the Oratory exercises. These meetings, open to the clergy and laity, aimed to draw souls closer to God through plain sermons and mental prayer.

The appearance of the Centuriae Magdeburgenses, a Lutheran polemical history of the Church, gave concern to Pius V and Gregory XIII (see centuriators of magdeburg). A refutation by a keen historian was needed, and Philip, detecting the germ of such scholarship in Baronius, directed him to deliver sermons on the history of the Church. The 20-year-old Baronius began the research that served as the foundation for the 12-volume Annales ecclesiastici (Rome 1598–1607). This work had great success, being often reedited and translated into Italian, French, Polish, and German; it extended to the accession of Innocent III and was continued to 1565 by

Odorico rinaldi. After his ordination, May 27, 1564, Baronius lived at St. John of the Florentines with other priests who followed Philip. There he engaged in the ministry and continued his research. It was not until 1575 at the insistence of the pope that the Oratory was formally established with Philip Neri as its reluctant superior. Baronius then lived under the same roof with the saint who began to test his spirit. Knowing that a scholar needs great patience in sifting minute details, must resist discouragement, narrate events truthfully, and not succumb to pride when praised, Philip drove Baronius relentlessly. In addition to the tedious research, he insisted that Baronius preach, hear confessions, visit the sick, and even cook. Baronius had hoped to publish one volume of the Annales a year, but he soon saw this to be impossible. The first volume appeared in 1588; the last, the year he died. Thus a 12-year plan became a 19-year program.

As a scholar Baronius was most exact. He read innumerable sources, investigated coins, inscriptions, or whatever else yielded information. In the interest of accuracy he became involved in an endless correspondence with other scholars. The manuscript and all the corrections were done in his own hand. He used secretaries only for his correspondence. He welcomed criticism even of trifles that proved time-consuming.

The life of Baronius was far from that of a tranquil scholar. In 1593 he succeeded Philip Neri as provost of the Oratory. He also displayed diplomatic skill in furthering the reconciliation of Henry IV of France with the Church. Clement VIII made him his confessor and desired to confer honors on him. Baronius resisted, but on June 5, 1596, he was elevated to the cardinalate; he took as his motto "Obedience and Peace." For two years Baronius not only manifested sorrow at being torn away from the Oratory, but appeared resentful of his dignities. It was not until an enforced idleness while on a special mission to Ferrara that Baronius came to accept the honors as God's will.

In addition to his constant labors on the Annales, Baronius found himself the confidant of popes, served on various commissions, undertook the revision and correction of the Roman Martyrology at the request of Guglielmo sirleto, and held the post of Vatican librarian. Constant study, lengthy correspondence, grave responsibilities, and adversities were ever present as the Annales were published. Over the years scholars have offered critiques of his work. Some believe Baronius was too intent on considering historical events from the point of view of papal primacy; they have also noted inaccuracies. However, they acknowledge that in such a pioneer work, the errors are far fewer than could have been expected. Baronius wrote also a life of St. Ambrose and the Paraenensis ad rempublicam Venetam. Of his numerous letters 451 were edited by R. Alberici, Epistolae et opuscula inedita. Twice in 1605 Baronius narrowly escaped election to the papacy, due to his own pleading, the use of the exclusiva by Spain, and his opposition to the monarchia sicula. On Jan. 18, 1745, he was declared venerable by Benedict XV.

Bibliography: A. Cesare Baronio: Scritti Vari, complete bibliog. of bks., manuscripts, articles on Baronius. a. kerr, The Life of Cesare Cardinal Baronius of the Roman Oratory. a. capecelatro, The Life of St. Philip Neri, tr. t. a. pope. g. de libero, Cesarae Baronio. l. pastor, The History of the Popes from the Close of the Middle Ages v. 1925. a. g. roncalli, Il cardinale Cesare Baronio, Scuola cattolica 13: 329. h. jedin, Lexikon für Theologie und Kirche (second edition) 1:1270-72. a. molien, Dictionnaire d'histoire et de geéographie ecclésiastiques 6:871-82, bibliog.

[j. wahl]