Mural Booklet

DEFENDER OF THE TRUE FAITH
On February 14, 1130, Pope Honorius II died, and on the following day,
Cardinal Gregory was canonically elected pope and chose the name of
Innocent II. However, the ambitious Cardinal Peter de Leone, aided and
abetted by two other Cardinals, secured an illicit papal election taking
the title of Anacletus II.
Pope Innocent II held a council at Liege on March 22, 1131, at which
steps were undertaken in order to suppress the schismatic election.
Norbert strongly upheld the rights of the legitimate pope. In so doing
he was summoned to appear before Anacletus, the antipope; Norbert
ignored the summons. The antipope issued a bull of excommunication
against him in which injurious remarks were hurled at the archbishop.
Far from injuring his good reputation, the language of the antipope
stands as a lasting proof of Norbert’s loyalty to the heir of St. Peter.
During this troublesome time
in the church Norbert acted as
Councilor to the Emperor
Lothaire. Acting on the
Archbishop’s advice, Lothaire
embraced the cause of the
rightful pope and undertook a
trip to Rome. The reign of
Anacletus came to an end;
Pope Innocent II entered Rome in
triumph and the schism crumbled
away. The pope addressed a letter
to Norbert, expressing his admiration
and gratitude towards both
the archbishop and Saint Bernard,
whom he considered had been
instruments in the hands of God
to bring about his return to Rome.