Boniface II, Pope

BONIFACIO II, POPE. - Of Germanic stock but born in Rome, consecrated on 22 Sept. 530, died on 17 Oct. 532. Before dying, Felice IV, in order to avoid struggles and schisms, designated, with the approval of Amasunta, of part of the clergy and of the Roman senators, the archdeacon B. as successor to the pontificate. The greater part of the clergy, however, after Felice’s death, acclaimed the deacon Dioscoro; both were consecrated. But the schism lasted scarcely a month, since Dioscoro died and his adherents recognized and accepted B., also subscribing to a public recantation. B. too wished to choose his successor in the person of Vigilio, but in the face of public opposition, he burned the decree of appointment. He approved the decrees of the Second Council of Orange, held in 529; he also intervened in the affairs of Illyricum, supporting the election of Stefano of Larissa, contested by Epifanio of Costantinopoli.