ALBERO. - Archbishop of Trier (1131-1152), a descendant of a noble family of Lorraine, whose hereditary castle of Montreuil (Monterol) was situated near Toul, born ca. 1080, and died at Trier on 18 January 1152. He spent his youth in the turbulent period that followed the Gregorian reform. A. became a fervent follower of the reformist ideas of the great pontiff Gregory VII. As archdeacon of Metz he placed himself at the head of the strictly ecclesiastical party, which wanted at all costs the abolition of the abuses prevailing there. After having well deserved of the Church of Metz as archdeacon and then as primicerius, in 1130 he was compelled by Pope Innocent II to accept the archiepiscopal see of Trier. With the energy that was his own he immediately began the difficult work of reform in his diocese.
His friendly relations with St. Norbert and St. Bernard facilitated his success, especially in the reform of the monasteries. His episcopal palace had become a cenacle of learned men. He called as director of the cathedral school Baldric (v.), who was later his biographer. Among the splendors of his government are worthy of note: his participation in Lothair's expedition to Italy in 1136-37; the pontifical legation for Germany, conferred on him by Innocent II on 2 October 1137; his intervention in the election of King Conrad III on 7 March 1138. He died after having fully succeeded in re-establishing discipline in his diocese, bringing it to a state of prosperity that had nothing to envy in the other dioceses of the Empire.
Bibliography6 works
Lucchesio Spätling