Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

PETER, EPISTLES OF We have two epistles attributed to Peter by the common consent to the Christian church. The genuineness of the first has never been disputed; it is referred to as his accredited work by several of the apostolical fathers. It appears to have been addressed to Christian churches in Asia Minor, composed primarily … Continue reading “Peter, Epistles of”

Peter Dens Belgian theologian. Born on 12 September 1690 at Boom, Belgium; died on 15 February 1775. Spent over 50 years as student, teacher and president of the archiepiscopal college of Mechelen. Author of Theologia Moralis et Dogmatica, a powerful vindication in catechetical form of the tenets of the Catholic Church; it was used as … Continue reading “Peter Dens”

Peter de Vinea (DE VINEIS, DELLA VIGNA) Born at Capua about 1190; died 1249. Peter’s legal learning and the elegance of his Latin style in course of time made him the most prominent statesman of public affairs at the court of Frederick II. Frederick’s political views, which aimed at absolutism in Church and State, he … Continue reading “Peter de Vinea”

Peter de Regalado, Saint (REGALATUS) A Friar Minor and reformer, born at Valladolid, 1390; died at Aguilera, 30 March, 1456. His parents were of noble birth and conspicuous for their wealth and virtue. Having lost his father in his early youth, he was piously educated by his mother. At the age of ten years Peter … Continue reading “Peter de Regalado, Saint”

Peter de Honestis Born at Ravenna about 1049; died, 29 March, 1119. Among his ancestors was the great St. Romuald, founder of the Camaldolese monks. All his life Peter fasted every Saturday in honour of Our Lady, and strongly recommended this practice to his religious. He styled himself Petrus peccator. He lived for some years … Continue reading “Peter de Honestis”

Peter de Blois A statesman and theologian, born at Blois about 1130; died about 1203. He appears to have first studied at Tours, and was, perhaps, the disciple of Jean de Salisbury, who taught in Paris from 1140 to 1150; he studied law in Bologna, and theology in Paris, where he taught the liberal arts. … Continue reading “Peter de Blois”

Peter Damian, Saint Doctor of the Church; Cardinal Bishop of Ostia; born Ravenna, Italy, 1007; died Faenza, Italy, 1072. Left an orphan at an early age, he was adopted by an elder brother and became a swineherd. He was later sent to school at Faenza and Parma and became a noted teacher. Having entered the … Continue reading “Peter Damian, Saint”

Peter Comestor Theological writer, b. at Troyes, date unknown; d. at Paris about 1178. He was first attached to the Church of Notre-Dame at Troyes and habitually signed himself as “Presbyter Trecensis”. Before 1148 he became dean of the chapter and received a benefice in 1148. About 1160 he formed one of the Chapter of … Continue reading “Peter Comestor”

Peter Collivacinus (also called Morra), an ecclesiastical character of the 13th century, flourished as teacher of canonical law at Bologna; was then secretary to Innocent III, by whose order he collected the decretals of that pope during the first eleven years of his reign, and published them in 1210 by the help of the so-called … Continue reading “Peter Collivacinus”

Peter Claver, Saint Confessor; apostle of the Negroes; born Verdu, Catalonia, 1580; died Cartagena, South America, 1654. After graduating from the university of Barcelona, he became a Jesuit, 1601, and by the advice of Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez volunteered for the South American mission. Landing at Cartagena, in 1610, he was ordained there, 1616, and devoted … Continue reading “Peter Claver, Saint”