HERIBERT, Saint. – Archbishop of Cologne, born c. 970 to Count Hugh of Wornazia, died 16 March 1021. He attended the cathedral school of Wornazia and that of the monastery of Gorze near Metz. Still young, he became provost of the cathedral of Wornazia and in 994 chancellor for Italy; from 998 to 1002 he was archchancellor for Germany and, in that capacity, a friend, advisor, and traveling companion of Emperor Otto III. In 999 the Church of Cologne chose him as archbishop, and Pope Sylvester II confirmed him on 9 July 999 at Benevento. On 23 January 1002 HERIBERT was present at the death of the young Emperor Otto III at Paterno and, amid great difficulties, carried his body and the imperial insignia to Aachen. After the accession of King Henry II, HERIBERT resigned the office of chancellor and devoted himself entirely to his diocese.
According to his biographer Lambert of Deutz and the Annals of Quedlinburg, HERIBERT was a bishop of profound piety and inexhaustible generosity toward the poor and oppressed of every kind, as well as toward monasteries, especially the Benedictine monastery he founded in 1002 and the church of Deutz, where he was buried. HERIBERT was not formally canonized, but it appears that the Pope approved his cult. His feast is celebrated on 16 March.