Pope Boniface II
Boniface, an archdeacon under Pope Felix IV, was chosen by Felix as the next pope in an attempt to avoid a disputed succession. Although he was born in Rome and had served in the Roman Church since he was very young, Boniface's Ostrogothic heritage was perceived as a threat to those who feared Germanic influence. The Roman clergy could not ignore the difficulties that Felix and John I had suffered with the Ostrogothic king, Theodoric, so they passed over Boniface and elected Dioscorus, deacon of Alexandria.
The very dispute Felix had sought to escape occurred after all when both men were consecrated on September 22, 530. But the break that resulted lasted less than a month, ending with the death of Dioscorus on October 14. Although Boniface managed to reconcile most of the opposition in the matter, he was never officially elected pope by the clergy.
In December of 530, Boniface called a synod wherein he anathematized Dioscorus (a decree that would be burned by Pope Agapetus a few years later). In 531 he convened another synod and maintained that he had the right to appoint his successor. He selected Vigilius, a choice that, while ratified by the clergy and laity, provoked resentment among some priests and difficulties with the emperor. Later that same year he called yet another synod and annulled the succession arrangement.
During his pontificate Boniface also confirmed the acts of the Second Council of Orange, which condemned Semi-Pelagianism, and dealt with matters of jurisdiction in Africa and Illyricum.
Boniface died in 532. He was succeeded by John II.
Important Dates
Elected (selected) pope: Sept. 17, 530
Consecrated: Sept. 22, 530
Takes sole control of papacy: Oct. 14, 530
Died: Oct. 17, 532
At About
Boniface II
A concise bio by Atheism Guide Austin Cline includes some vital statistics and is accompanied by related resources.
On the Web
Pope Boniface II
A brief but substantive biography by John B. Peterson at the Catholic Encyclopedia.Pope Boniface II
Very brief coverage at Wikipedia.
In Print
The links below will take you to a site where you can compare prices at booksellers across the web. More in-depth info about the book may be found by clicking on to the book's page at one of the online merchants.
Lives of the Popes: The Pontiffs from St. Peter to John Paul II
by Richard P. McBrienChronicle of the Popes: The Reign-by-Reign Record of the Papacy over 2000 Years
by P. G. Maxwell-Stuart
Related Resources
The Papacy
Index of sites regarding the Popes and the political entity of the Papal States, their impact on medieval culture, and the schisms they endured and overcame.Early Europe
Directory of sites that offer useful resources for the study of Europe in Late Antiquty, or shortly after the fall of Rome.
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