Desiderio (+550)

Biography

He is one of the great bishops of the Merovingian era who helped save Gaul from the chaos after the collapse of the Roman Empire. At first he was chancellor of Clovis's sons, Clotaire and Childebert. It is not known if he was already one when both had Clodomiro's sons killed to take over his domains. But it is clear that he carried out his tasks of government trying to contain and satisfy everyone, except the heretics and simoniacs whom he severely persecuted. He also took advantage of his position to promote the construction of numerous churches and monasteries. How many times did he wish to live in the most absolute retirement and escape from a court full of lies and cruelties! But his superiors insisted on having him by their side with the pretext that they could not do without him. And he, meanwhile, armed himself with patience. Desiderius was appointed bishop of Bourges in the year 543. His episcopate was fruitful: he purged the country of heresies sown by the barbarians and took care to increase the number of virtuous priests. On many occasions he was resorted to to resolve cases that were difficult to resolve. Thus, he reconciled, and triumphed by achieving peace in Cologne for the German tribes who were willing to slaughter each other.