Laborans
LABORANS
Cardinal, canonist, and theologian; b. Pontorma, near Florence; d. most likely Rome, c. 1190. He studied at Frankfurt and received the rank of magister at the University of Paris. He held the post of canonicus at Capua before 1160. In 1173 he became cardinal deacon of S. Maria in Porticu and in 1180 cardinal priest of S. Maria in Trastevere. He belonged to the school of canonists known as the decretists, in that their main concern was to comment on the Decretum of gratian. He is the author of several works, the most famous being his Codex Compilationis. This work, finished in 1182, was the result of 20 years of labor on his part. It is an attempt at rear-ranging Gratian's Decretum in a more logical order, with the addition of new materials such as decretals of Innocent II, Eugene III, Alexander III, and the canons of the Third Lateran Council. Laborans is also the author of three theological treatises: De vera libertate (1144–61); Contra Sabellianos (1180–90); and De relativa praedicatione personae in divinis (1180–90). He was apparently influenced by the school of Gilbert of Poitiers in his theological work.
Bibliography: s. kuttner, Repertorium der Kanonistik (Rome 1937) 267–268. g. lebras, Dictionnaire de théologie catholique, ed. a. vacant et al., 15 v. (Paris 1903–50; Tables générales 1951) 8.2:2388.
[j. m. buckley]