PETER THE VENERABLE. - Abbot of Cluny and theologian, b. in Auvergne ca. 1094, d. at Cluny on 25 Dec. 1156. Monk at Sauxillanges (1109), "scholastic" 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 rule, entirely directed toward the restoration of discipline, if it failed to prevent the disintegration of the vast Cluniac organization, was marked by a series of acts that make P. the Venerable one of the most distinguished figures of the 12th century: he took as an aid in governance Matthew, prior of St-Martin-des-Champs (the future cardinal of Albano), in 1130 defended Innocent I against Peter of Leo (although the latter was an old Cluniac monk), and in 1132 held a General Chapter. He defended with moderation and firmness the traditions of Cluny even against the criticisms of St. Bernard, promoted studies, and welcomed Abelard; he traveled to Rome six times on important missions, and visited the monasteries of England and Spain; here he had the Qur'an translated into Latin for the purpose of apostolate among the Muslims. His last years, generally spent at Marcigny, were embittered by financial difficulties and by the separatist tendency of the monasteries of Italy and England.
The balance, of which his life gave continual proof, is reflected in his works, which, conceived outside the sphere of the nascent scholasticism and written in a limpid and sententious style, constitute a significant example of "monastic" theology: Tractatus adv. Petrobrusianos (PL 189, 719-850): written around 1138, it combats the errors of the followers of Peter of Bruys (v.); Adversus indecorum inveteratam duritiem (coll. 507-650): composed ca. 1140, it is an original sketch of the treatise De Christo legato divino; Adversus nefandam sectam Saracenorum (coll. 663-719): drafted after his return from Spain (1143), it is an attempt not entirely successful (it stops at book II whereas it was supposed to comprise four) to refute Islam, drawing on direct sources (it is based on the translation of the Qur'an); De miraculis (coll. 851-954): notable for the biographical information on Card. Matthew of Albano, on the efficacy of holy water, on the value of confession; Sermones (coll. 953-1006); Officium de Transfiguratione (v. bibl.); Carmina (coll. 1005-24). Among his Epistolae, which show him in contact with the greatest figures of the age (coll. 61-508), there are some of theological importance (the psychology of Christ, coll. 175-82; the increase of Grace after the divine Maternity and the knowledge of the Virgin, coll. 283-93; the reiteration of Extreme Unction, coll. 392-93; the divinity of Jesus Christ, coll. 487-508).
Bibliography8 works
Antonio Piolanti