PETER THE VENERABLE. – Abbot of Cluny and theologian, born in Auvergne ca. 1094, died at Cluny on 25 Dec. 1156. A monk at Sauxillanges (1109), “scholasticus” and prior of the abbey of Vézelay (1110–20); prior of Domène near Grenoble, he was elected abbot of Cluny on 22 Aug. 1122.
His long administration, entirely directed toward the restoration of discipline, though it did not prevent the fragmentation of the vast Cluniac organization, was marked by a series of acts that make P. the V. one of the most distinguished figures of the 12th century: he took as his assistant in government Matthew, prior of St-Martin-des-Champs (the future cardinal of Albano), defended in 1130 Innocent II against Peter of Leone (though the latter was a former Cluniac monk), and in 1132 held a General Chapter. With moderation and firmness he upheld the traditions of Cluny even against the criticisms of St. Bernard, promoted studies, received Abelard; he made six journeys to Rome on important missions, visited the monasteries of England and Spain; there he had the Qur’an translated into Latin for the purpose of apostolate among Muslims. His last years, generally spent at Marcigny, were embittered by financial difficulties and the separatist tendencies of the monasteries in Italy and England.
The balance, of which his life gave continual proof, is reflected in his works, conceived outside the sphere of the nascent scholasticism and written in a clear and concise style, constituting a significant example of monastic theology: Tractatus adv. Petrobrusianos (PL 189, 719–850): written ca. 1138, combats the errors of IBN RUŠD (v.); Adversus iudaeorum inceteratam duritiem (cols. 507–650): composed ca. 1140, it is an original outline of the treatise De Christo legato divino; Adversus nefandam sectam Saracenorum (cols. 663–719): drawn up after his return from Spain (1143), it is an attempt not entirely successful (it breaks off at bk. II, whereas it was meant to comprise four) to refute Islamism, drawing on direct sources (it is based on the translation of the Qur’an); De miraculis (cols. 851–954): notable for biographical notices on Cardinal Matthew of Albano, on the efficacy of holy water, and on the value of confession; Sermones (cols. 953–1006); Officium de Transfiguratione (v. BIBLICA); Carmina (cols. 1005–24). Among his Epistolae, which show him in contact with the greatest figures of the age (cols. 61–508), there are some of theological importance (psychology of Christ, cols. 175–82; increase of grace after the divine maternity and the knowledge of the Virgin, cols. 283–93; reiteration of Extreme Unction, cols. 392–93; divinity of Jesus Christ, cols. 487–508).