Pope Saint Cornelius

Life story

Cornelius was elected bishop of Rome in March 251 (sources give 6 or 13 March), succeeding Fabian after a vacancy of about fourteen months during the Decian persecution.

He faced Novatian, a Roman priest who held that Christians who had lapsed under persecution could not be readmitted. Cornelius and Cyprian of Carthage held that they could be restored after penance. Novatian's rigorist supporters had him consecrated bishop, creating a schism. A synod of about sixty bishops confirmed Cornelius's election and excommunicated Novatian, but the dispute over the lapsed continued for years.

Cornelius had the support of Cyprian, Dionysius and most African and Eastern bishops, and both sides wrote letters seeking recognition. When persecution resumed under Trebonianus Gallus he was exiled to Centumcellae, now Civitavecchia, and died there in June 253.

The Liberian catalogue attributes his death to the hardships of exile, while later sources say he was beheaded. He was buried in a catacomb near the chapel of the popes, under the Latin inscription Cornelius Martyr. His feast, shared with Cyprian, is 16 September.

Works and witness

• Elected bishop of Rome in 251 after a vacancy of about fourteen months
• Opposed Novatian on readmitting the lapsed
• Supported by Cyprian and many bishops
• Died in exile at Centumcellae in June 253

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

• Catholic Encyclopedia, "Pope St. Cornelius" (newadvent.org/cathen/04375c.htm)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.