Alberic of Monte Cassino

Who was Alberic of Monte Cassino?

Alberic of Monte Cassino was a Cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church who died in 1088. He was a cardinal from 1057.

He was a native of Trier, and became a Benedictine. He successfully opposed the teachings of Berengarius, which were considered heretical by the Pope, defending the measures of Gregory VII during the Investiture Controversy.

He composed several theological and scientific works and lives of saints, and is the author of the earliest medieval treatise on ars dictaminis, or letter-writing. Many of his letters are found in the works of St. Peter Damian.

One of his pupils, John of Gaeta, was the future Pope Gelasius II.