The former Diocese of Ribe () was a Roman Catholic diocese in Southern Jutland, Denmark. The diocese was established in 948, and dissolved in 1536 during the Protestant Reformation. Within the newly established protestant Church of Denmark, the Diocese of Ribe effectively replaced its Roman Catholic precursor.

The diocese contained 29 deaneries and 278 parishes. Its bishop also oversaw a number of monasteries and friaries, in addition to a hospital.

History Ribe was established as a diocese for Leofdag in 948 under the supervision of Adaldag, Archbishop of Hamburg, who was authorized by the Roman Curia to proselytize the Danes. Leofdag (Leofdag of Ribe) was consecrated by Adaldag, and attended the Synod of Ingelheim.Taylor, Arthur. "Ancient See of Ribe in Denmark (Jutland)." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 16 (Index). New York: The Encyclopedia Press, 1914 Adam of Bremen praised Liafdag's pastoral zeal. Leofdag was martyred that same year, when a housecarl skewered him with a spear, as he forded the river at Ribe. He is regarded as a local saint, though he was never canonized. His remains would eventually end up in Ribe Cathedral. The name "Leofdag" indicates he was not Danish.Højlund, Barbara. "Ribe", Vikingeskibs Museet According to Johannes Vastovius, Leofdag was born in Friesland.Odden, Per Einar. "Den hellige Liafdag av Ribe (d. ~980)", Den katolske kirke Until the death of his third known successor Vale (1044–59) the bishops of Ribe, Schleswig, and Aarhus wandered about Jutland on missionary tours.

Ribe Cathedral, which served as the central cathedral of the diocese, contains a shrine dedicated to him. Until the death of his third known successor, Val, the bishops of Ribe, Schleswig, and Aarhus primarily worked to convert locals to their faith and traveled around Jutland on missionary tours.

In 1060, the region north of the Kongeå in Jutland was divided into the four dioceses of Ribe, Aarhus, Viborg and Vestervig. The diocese was a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Hamburg-Bremen until 1104, when the newly formed Archdiocese of Lund became its metropolitan.

Although Ivar Munk was selected to take the position of bishop in 1499, he was not ordained until 1513. During his term, the church was pressured by the Protestant Reformation. He lost authority over some of his diocese in Northern Schleswig following their adoption of protestantism, though he maintained authority over the remainder of the diocese.

Ivar Munk opposed the selection of Christian III of Denmark as king in 1533, yet was forced to act as a privy councillor to the monarch's party for Jutland. As a result, he resigned from his position as bishop. Ivar Munk was succeeded by his nephew, Olaf Munk in 1534. As a result of the reformation, Olaf Munk was imprisoned on 12 August 1536, like all other catholic bishops in Denmark. He was later released on the conditions that he conform to the Church of Denmark and marry.

Structure The first church built within the diocese was founded by Ansgar ca. 855. It was initially overseen by his successor: Saint Rembert. The church was destroyed following Rembert's death in 888, though it was rebuilt circa 948. Following the completion of Ribe Cathedral in the 12th century, it served as the central cathedral of the diocese. The city of Ribe was also home to St. Nicholas' Priory, a Franciscan friary, St. Catherine's Priory, a hospital of the Holy Ghost, and a commandery of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. The diocese also oversaw the Cistercian monasteries of Tvis Abbey, Løgum Abbey, and Seem Abbey, which had been Benedictine until 1171. There were Benedictine convents at Gudum Priory and Stubber Priory, in addition to a Dominican priory in Vejle and a Franciscan friary in Kolding.

The diocese comprised 29 deaneries and a total of 278 parishes. The bishop's cathedral chapter included four prelates, 21 prebendaries, eight minor canons, and approximately 50 chaplains.

Bishops

948–9?? Leofdag 988–1000 Folkbert/Folcbertus 1000–1043 Odinkar the Younger 1043–1060 Val 1060–1085 Odder 1085–1122 Gerold/Jareld 1122–1134 Thore/Thure 1134–11?? Nothold 11??–1142 Asger 1142–1162 Elias 1162–1170 Radulf 1171–1177 Stephan 1178–1204 Omer 1204–1214 Oluf 1214–1230 Tuve 1230–1246 Gunner 1246–1273 Esger 1273–1288 Tyge 1288–1313 Christian 1313–1327 Jens Hee 1327–1345 Jakob Splitaf 1345–1364 Peder Thuresen 1365–1369 Mogens Jensen 1369–1388 Jens Mikkelsen 1389–1409 Eskil 1409–1418 Peder Lykke 1418–1454 Christiern Hemmingsen 1454–1465 Henrik Stangenberg 1465–1483 Peder Nielsen Lodehat 1483–1498 Hartvig Juel 1499–1534 Ivar Munk 1534–1536 Olaf Munk

References