From 1472, the bishop of Coimbra held the comital title of Count of Arganil, being thus called Bishop-Count (Portuguese: Bispo-Conde).
History
The first known bishop was Lucentius, who participated in the first council of Braga (563),[4] 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.[5] 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),[6] 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.[7]
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,[8] 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,[9] 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.[10]
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.[11] 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.[12]
Monastery of Santa Cruz
The most important monastery in the diocese is Santa Cruz Monastery, founded in 1131 by Afonso Henriques,[13] and for some time the most important in the kingdom by reason of its wealth and privileges.[14] Its prior was authorized, or so it was claimed, by Anastasius IV[15] and Celestine III[16] 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.[17]
^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. Karl Joseph von Hefele (1895). A History of the Councils of the Church: From the Original Documents. Vol. IV. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark. pp. 381–386.
^Martin was present in 1088 at the Council of Santa Maria de Fusellos as bishop-elect. Garsias de Loaysa- Giron (1593). Collectio conciliorum Hispaniae (in Latin). Madrid: Petrus Madrigal. pp. 145–147.
^Caro Erdmann, Papsturkunden in Portugal (Berlin: Weidmann 1927), pp. 154–156, no. 2.
^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.
^Ingo Fleisch, "The Portuguese Clergy and the European Universities in the 12th and 13th Centuries," in: Universidade Católica Portuguesa. Centro de Estudos de História Religiosa (2007). Carreiras Eclesiásticas no Ocidente Cristão (séc. XII-XIV). Lisbon: Centro de Estudios de Historia Religiosa-UCP. pp. 63–75, at pp. 64–66. ISBN978-972-8361-26-6.
^The bull of Anastasius IV granting this privilege is a forgery. Erdmann, Papsturkunden in Portugal, p. 219, no. 53.
^The 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.
^Paterno, Patrino, Patruino: He is said to have previously been Bishop of Tortosa. Antonio Brandao (1632). Terceira parte da monarchia lusitana: que contem a Historia de Portugal desdo Conde Dom Henrique, até todo o reinado del Rey Dom Afonso Henriques ... (in Portuguese). Lisbon: em o Mosterio de S. Bernardo por Pedro Craesbeck. pp. 276v–277. (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.
^Leitaõ Ferreira, pp. 44–48. Gams, p. 96, column 1.
^Cresconius was consecrated by Archbishop Bernard of Toledo. Leitaõ Ferreira, pp. 48–51. Gams, p. 96, column 1.
^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.
^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.
^He subscribes and is referred to as Bernaldus. Barbosa Morujao, p. 237-238. Gams, p. 96, column 1.
^Aegeas was transferred to the diocese of Compostella. Eubel, I, p. 196, 199.
^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 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.
^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.
^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.
^Bishop Joannes was transferred to the diocese of Castres (France) on 3 December 1337. Eubel, I, pp. 172, 196.
^Georgius had been Canon in the Cathedral Church of Astorga, and was a Licenciate in Canon Law. Eubel, I, p. 196.
^Lorenzo was transferred to Lisbon. he died on 19 June 1364. Eubel, I, p. 196. 507.
^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.
^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.
^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.
^Gams, p. 97. Eubel, I, p. 196; II, p. 200 note 10.
^Aegidius (Gil Alma) had been Bishop of Porto. He was an appointee of Gregory XII (Roman Obedience). Gams pretends that there was a sede vacante, without mentioning appointees of the Avignon Obedience. Cf. Leitaõ Ferreira, pp. 141–143.
^Ferdinandus was an appointee of Pope Martin V. Leitaõ Ferreira, pp. 143–144. Eubel, I, p. 196.
^João Galvão was appointed Archbishop of Braga. He died on 27 July 1485. Eubel, II, p. 110.
^Soares: Eubel, Hierarchia catholica III, p. 171, with note 3.
^Menezes, a Doctor of Canon Law, had previously been Bishop of Lamego (1570–1573). Eubel, III, pp. 171. 218.
^Afonso Furtado de Mendonça was transferred to the diocese of Braga on 19 March 1612 by Pope Paul V. He was transferred to the diocese of Lisbon on 2 December 1626 by Pope Urban VIII. Gauchat, IV, pp. 120, 155, 180.
^A native of Lisbon, Joannes Manuel Ataide held a bachelor's degree in theology from Coimbra. He had previously been Bishop of Viseu (1609–1625). He was appointed Archbishop of Lisbon. Gauchat, IV, p. 155, 352, 371.
^A native of Evora, Joannes de Melo held a doctorate in Canon Law from Coimbra. He had previously been Bishop of Elvas (1671–1673), and Bishop of Viseu (1673–1684). He was transferred to the diocese of Coimbra on 24 April 1684 by Pope Innocent XI, at the request of the King of Portugal, made on 24 January 1684. He died on 28 June 1704. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, pp. 163; 194 with note 3; 417.
^Miguel Carlos da Cunha (Miguel da Anunciação, in religion) was nominated Bishop of Coimbra by the King on 22 February 1739, and approved by Pope Benedict XIV. On 8 November 1768 he issued a pastoral letter, condemning a number of books of Enlightenment doctrine. He was arrested, imprisoned and deposed by the Marques de Pombal. He spent eight years imprisoned in the fortress of Pedrouços. Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, p. 172 with note 2.
^The Portuguese government wanted to replace Bishop Miguel da Anunciação as soon as he was imprisoned, and they sent Lemos to Coimbra to take possession of the diocese. For some time the Pope refused to sanction this uncanonical move. Finally, Lemos was appointed Coadjutor bishop of Coimbra in September 1773 by the Marques de Pombal, in order to remove Bishop Miguel da Anunciação from his lawful seat as bishop in a canonical way. He was approved by the ever compliant Pope Clement XIV on 13 April 1774, who assigned him the titular see of Zenopolis in Turkey. On the death of Bishop Miguel on 29 August 1779, Lemos succeeded to the bishopric. He died on 16 April 1822 at the age of 86. Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, p. 172 with note 3.
^Bishop Joaquim had previously been Bishop of São Luís do Maranhão, Brazil (1819–1824). He was transferred to the diocese of Coimbra on 3 May 1824 by Pope Leo XII. He died on 31 August 1851. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VII, pp. 155, 236, 245.
