BENNO, bishop of OSNABRÜCK. - Born at Löhningen around 1020, died at Iburg on 27 July 1088. He was a pupil of Hermannus Contractus and, around 1042, accompanied Bishop William of Strasbourg on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. From his youth he showed great aptitude for architecture and
was sent by Henry III to Goslar for the construction of the imperial palace. Appointed archpriest of Goslar and president of the synodal tribunal, on 23 November 1068, he was elected bishop of Osnabrück, succeeding Bennone I, and on 10 February 1069 was consecrated at Cologne by the archbishop of that city.
He devoted himself greatly to his diocese, overseeing land reclamation, improving agriculture, and constructing both civil and religious buildings. From the very first year of his election, he laid the foundations of the Iburg monastery. During the conflict between Henry IV and Gregory VII, he took the side of the emperor, but, being an intelligent, balanced, and deeply religious man, he was always respected and well received by the opposing party. Excommunicated for having subscribed to the deposition of the Pope at the Diet of Worms, he too went with Henry IV to Canossa, where he obtained forgiveness. At Henry IV’s second excommunication in 1080, however, he refrained from taking any position and was thus able to be sent on a mission to the Pope in 1083 to intercede on behalf of the emperor. He is considered blessed, though he never received public cult. His feast is celebrated on 22 July or 20 November.