The Diocese of Coimbra () is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church in Coimbra, Portugal. It is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Braga.
From 1472, the bishop of Coimbra held the comital title of Count of Arganil, being thus called Bishop-Count ().
History The first known bishop was Lucentius, who participated in the first council of Braga (563),This is generally referred to as the Second Council of Braga, though it has long been known that the Acts of the First Council of Braga (of 411) are a forgery. Eight bishops, including the Metropolitan, attended the council of 563. J.-D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus IX (Florence: A. Zatta 1763), p. 780, 782. the metropolitan See of Coimbra, until the latter was attached to the ecclesiastical province of Mérida (650–62). Titular bishops of Coimbra continued the succession under the Islamic conquest, one of whom witnessed the consecration of the church of Santiago de Compostela in 876.
The see was re-established in 1088, after the reconquest of the city of Coimbra by the Christian forces of Sisnando Davides (1064). The first bishop of the new series was Martin.Martin was present in 1088 at the Council of Santa Maria de Fusellos as bishop-elect. In the midst of the difficulties of restoring the Church in Portugal in the wake of the request of the country from the Arabs, Bishop Mauricio Burdino applied to Pope Paschal II and obtained a bull Apostolicae Sedis (24 March 1101),Caro Erdmann, Papsturkunden in Portugal (Berlin: Weidmann 1927), pp. 154–156, no. 2. assuring him of the possession of the old territory of his diocese, including parts which were once part of the diocese as they are reconquered from the Moors and the Arabs. He also assigned the bishop, for the time being, the territories of the vacant bishoprics of Lamego and Viseu, until such time as they could have their own bishops; and the territory and parishes of the Villa Vacaricia, which had been given by Count Raymond to the Diocese of Coimbra.M.C. Cunha (2013), p. 135.
From 1139 Coimbra was the capital of the kingdom of Portugal and a principal beneficiary of the generosity of its kings, until the seat of government was moved to Lisbon in 1260. Among the more famous bishops have been Pedro (1300), chancellor of King Dinis; João Galvão, who was granted the title of Conde de Arganil for himself and his successors, on 25 September 1472 by King Alfonso V, in gratitude for his service in the conquest of Arzila and Tangier; and Manuel de Menezes (1573–78), former rector of the University of Coimbra from 1556 to 1560,The post of Rector of the University was in the gift of the King of Portugal. It was not a prerogative of the bishops of Coimbra. Bishop Agostino Ribeira of Angra was Rector from 1537 to 1543, and Bishop Bernardo da Cruz of S. Thomé from 1543. Theophilo Braga, Historia da Universidate de Coimbra I (Lisbon 1892), p. 463; II (1895), p. 837. who fell with King Sebastian in the Battle of Alcácer Quibir on 4 August 1578.
University of Coimbra The University of Coimbra, the only university in Portugal until the 20th century, was founded in 1290, but in Lisbon, not in Coimbra. A papal bull was obtained from Pope Nicholas IV,Sane ad audientiam (9 August 1290): and King Dinis I carried out the act of establishment. It was not until 1308 that the university was moved to Coimbra, due principally to the hostility of the people of Lisbon, though in 1338 it moved back. In 1354 the university returned to Coimbra, and in 1377 was established back in Lisbon. The university remained in Lisbon until King John III moved it back to Coimbra permanently in 1537. The involvement of the bishops of Coimbra in the affairs of the university was therefore intermittent and superficial, at least until the second half of the sixteenth century. Then they protected its medieval and Catholic character with zeal. One bishop, Miguel da Anunciação, spent eight years in prison for defying the efforts of the government to modernize the educational system of Portugal's university. Theophilo Braga, Historia da Universidate de Coimbra III (Lisbon 1898), pp. 95-99.
Cathedrals The Old Cathedral of Coimbra, built in the first half of the 12th century, partly at the expense of Bishop Miguel and his chapter, is a remarkable monument of Romanesque architecture. The architect was Robert of Clermont. It was dedicated to the Assumption of the Body of the Virgin Mary into Heaven.Barbosa Morujao, p. 242. The new cathedral, a Renaissance church built in 1580 as a church for its adjacent Jesuit college, is another important monument. The episcopal palace was built in the 18th century. The cathedral was administered by a chapter, whose eight dignities (not dignitaries) included: the dean, the cantor, the scholasticus, the treasurer, and the three archdeacons (Coimbra, Sena). There were twenty-one canons.Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 163 note 1.
Monastery of Santa Cruz The most important monastery in the diocese is Santa Cruz Monastery, founded in 1131 by Afonso Henriques, and for some time the most important in the kingdom by reason of its wealth and privileges.Ingo Fleisch, "The Portuguese Clergy and the European Universities in the 12th and 13th Centuries," in: Its prior was authorized, or so it was claimed, by Anastasius IVThe bull of Anastasius IV granting this privilege is a forgery. Erdmann, Papsturkunden in Portugal, p. 219, no. 53. and Celestine IIIThe bull of Celestine III of 25 February 1192 recognizes the agreement made between the Prior and Brothers of Santa Cruz on the one hand, and Bishop Miguel and the Canons of Coimbra on the other, granting liberty from episcopal control, and in a bull of 26 February 1192 confirms the ancient customs and liberties and immunities of their church. Erdmann, pp. 350–352. This might have been taken to confirm the privilege granted in the forged bull. to wear the episcopal insignia.
Academic Centre of Christian Democracy The Academic Center of Christian Democracy is an association of Christian inspiration, belonging to the Diocese of Coimbra, which provides support to university students, who study in the University of Coimbra. The directorate of the association is composed almost entirely of tenured professors and doctors at the university. Notable members have included include António de Oliveira Salazar, Prime Minister (1932–1968) and dictator of Portugal.; retrieved: 8 November 2017.
Bishops of Coimbra
to 1300
Paternus, O.S.B. (1082 – 21 March 1087)Paterno, Patrino, Patruino: He is said to have previously been Bishop of Tortosa. (The charter is a forgery: Pierre David, "Regula Sancti Augustini, à propos d'une fausse chartre de fondation du chapitre de Coimbre," Revista Portuguesa de História 3 (1947), pp. 27–39.) Leitaõ Ferreira, pp. 42–44. Gams, p. 96, column 1. Reilly, p. 144. Martinus Simoens (1088–1091)Leitaõ Ferreira, pp. 44–48. Gams, p. 96, column 1. Cresconius, O.S.B. (12 April 1092 – 22 June 1098)Cresconius was consecrated by Archbishop Bernard of Toledo. Leitaõ Ferreira, pp. 48–51. Gams, p. 96, column 1. Mauricio Burdino, O.S.B. (1098–1111)Mauricio Burdino was a French Benedictine monk from Limoges, educated at Cluny. He was a protege of Bernard of Toledo and a client of Count Henry of Portugal, son-in-law of Alfonso VI of Castile. He was transferred to the diocese of Braga by Pope Paschal II in 1111. Gams, p. 96, column 1. Cunha (2013), pp. 135 and 144. Gondisalvus (Gonzalo) (c. 1111 – May 1125)Bishop Gondisalvus benefits from the Testament of a priest, dated 6 December 1115. The bishop's own Testament is dated 19 March (or May) 1116. It is witnessed by three Archdeacons. Barbosa Morujao, p. 233-236. Gams, p. 96, column 1. Bernaldus, O.S.B. (1128–1147)He subscribes and is referred to as Bernaldus. Barbosa Morujao, p. 237-238. Gams, p. 96, column 1. João Anaia (1147–1158) Miguel Pais Salomão (1158–1176) Bermudo (1177 – 5 September 1182) Petrus (1182) Martinus (1183–1193) Petrus (1193–1232) Petrus (1232/33–1234)Gams, p. 96, column 2. Eubel, I, p. 196. Tiburtius (27 May 1238 – 22 November 1246)On 21 August 1242, Tiburtius was still bishop-elect: Barbosa Morujao, p. 276. Dominicus (1246–1247)Eubel, I, p. 196. Aegeas Fafas (15 December 1248 – 18 December 1267)Aegeas was transferred to the diocese of Compostella. Eubel, I, p. 196, 199. Sede vacante (1267–1279) Aimericus (9 January 1279 – 4 December 1295)Aimericus had been Archdeacon of Palencia. Pope Clement IV had transferred Bishop Aegeas Fafas to the diocese of Compostella on 18 December 1267, leaving the See of Coimbra vacant; he intended to transfer Bishop Matthew of Viseu to Coimbra, but it was opposed by some of the Canons of Coimbra. Due to the appeal, the long papal sede vacante of 1268–1272, the II Council of Vienne, and the election and deaths of four popes in 1276–1277, the matter was unresolved. Bishop Matthew petitioned the new pope, Nicholas III to be allowed to remain in Viseu, and therefore Nicholas III provided Aimericus as the new Bishop of Coimbra on 9 January 1279. Jules Gay, Les Registres de Nicolas III Vol. 1 (Paris: Fontemoing 1898), p. 153 no. 402. Eubel, I, p. 196, 199. Petrus Martini Collaço do Colimbria (9 August 1296 – 1301)Petrus had previously been Bishop of Evora (c. 1292–1296), and was provided to the diocese of Coimbra, which had requested him, by Pope Boniface VIII on 9 August 1296. His Testament was probated on 4 November 1301: Barbosa Morujao, p. 372. Eubel, I, p. 196, 236.
1300 to 1700
Fernandus (27 August 1302 – 8 August 1303)Fernandus had been a Canon in the Cathedral Chapter of Burgos. Eubel, I, p. 196. Gams, p. 96, col. 2, believed, wrongly, that he had been rejected by Pope Boniface VIII. Stephanus Annes de Brochardo (8 March 1307 – between June and September 1318)Bishop Stephanus' will survives. It was signed on 17 June 1318, and probated on 22 September 1318, in the presence of the Cantor, Scholasticus, and Archdeacon of the Cathedral Chapter. His nephew Vincentius Alfonsi was Archdeacon of Sena. Barbosa Morujao, pp. 401–408. Raimundus (11 November 1318 – 15 July 1324) Raimundus Ebrardo (26 April 1325 – 1333) Joannes (23 August 1333 – 3 December 1337)Bishop Joannes was transferred to the diocese of Castres (France) on 3 December 1337. Eubel, I, pp. 172, 196. Georgius Joannis (3 July 1338 – 1356)Georgius had been Canon in the Cathedral Church of Astorga, and was a Licenciate in Canon Law. Eubel, I, p. 196. Lorenzo Rodriguez (23 May 1356 – 25 August 1358)Lorenzo was transferred to Lisbon. he died on 19 June 1364. Eubel, I, p. 196. 507. Pedro Gomez Barroso (25 August 1358 – 23 July 1364)Petrus Gomez Alvarez de Albornoz had been Bishop of Sagunto. He was transferred to Lisbon on 23 July 1364. He was transferred to Cordoba on 4 June 1369, and was named a cardinal on 30 May 1371 by Pope Gregory XI. Eubel, I, pp. 21 no. 1; 196; 507. Vasco Fernandez (de Menezes) (23 July 1364 – 16 June 1371)Menezes had previously been Bishop of Idanna (26 May 1363 – 21 July 1364). He was transferred to the diocese of Coimbra by Pope Urban V on 23 July 1364. He was appointed Bishop of Lisbon on 16 June 1371. Gams, p. 96, column 2. Eubel, I, p. 196, 235, 507. Pedro Díaz de Tenorio (10 June 1371 – 13 January 1377)Diaz was appointed Archbishop of Toledo Martinho Perez de Charneca (1388 – 12 June 1398)Appointed, Archbishop of Braga. Joannes de Azembuja (25 February 1399 – 29 May 1402)Bishop Joannes had been transferred from the diocese of Porto on 25 February 1399 by Pope Boniface IX (Roman Obedience). He was transferred to the diocese of Lisbon on 29 May 1402. He was named a cardinal by Pope John XXIII on 6 June 1411. Eubel, I, pp. 33 no. 4; 196; 507. Cf. Leitaõ Ferreira, pp. 134–139. Sede vacante (1402–1407) Joannes, Archbishop of Compostella (1402–1403?) Administrator during the sede vacanteGams, p. 97. Eubel, I, p. 196; II, p. 200 note 10.