BENNONE, bishop of OSNABRÜCK. — Born at Löningen around 1020, died at Iburg on 27 July 1088. He was a disciple of Hermannus Contractus and, around 1042, accompanied Bishop Guglielmo of Strasburgo on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. From his youth he showed great talent for architecture and
was sent by Enrico 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 Benone I, and on 1 February 1069 he was consecrated at Colonia by the archbishop of that city.
He devoted much attention to his diocese, arranging for land reclamation, improving agriculture, and having civil and religious buildings constructed. From the first year of his election, he laid the foundations of the monastery of Iburg. During the struggle between Enrico IV and Gregorio VII, he took the emperor’s side; but, an intelligent, balanced, and deeply religious man, he was always esteemed 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 Enrico IV to Canossa, where he obtained pardon. At Enrico 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 regarded as blessed, but has never received public veneration. His feast is celebrated on 22 July or 20 November.