Pierre de Castelnau
Pierre de Castelnau (* unknown; † January 15, 1208 near the Abbey of Saint -Gilles ) was a Cistercian and papal legate. He is revered in the Catholic Church as martyrs.
The first sources about Pierre de Castelnau date from the year 1189th time he was canon of the abbey located near Montpellier Maguelone. Nine years later, in 1197, Castelnau was elected there to the archdeacon of the abbey. His choice was not until 1199 by the newly elected Pope Innocent III. confirmed.
Innocent III. Castelnau appointed in 1202, who joined the Zistersienserorden this year, the papal legate and commissioned him and Raoul of Castelnau, the " heretics in southern France " or the people of the " heretical " Cathars to lead to the " right way ". Unsuccessful presented in this mission Innocent his legate Arnaud Amaury nor the Abbot of Citeaux to the side, where the power of attorney was given: " ... to destroy, to destroy and root out what you recognize as destroying, vertilgens and tear worth ... ". In 1204 Castelnau participated in debates in Carcassonne, 1207 in Montreal and Palmiers. With Dominic, he moved as a mendicant through southern France to preach against the heretics. Because of their careless attitude in the fight against heretics Castelnau was going against the bishops of the Midi, suspended the bishops of Toulouse and Beziers and excommunicated Count Raymond VI. of Toulouse.
A conversation that Castelnau 1208 with Raimund VI. resulted in the Abbey of Saint - Gilles, ended in dispute. On his journey home Castelnau was posted on January 15, 1208 - probably by a follower of the Count - slain. Innocent III. subsequently confirmed the excommunication of Raymond and began 1209 the crusade against the Albigenses, which lasted until 1229.
Innocent III. called Pierre de Castelnau in a papal bull dated March 10, 1208 a holy martyr. Since then he is venerated in the diocese of Carcassonne, Montpellier, Nîmes and the Cistercian Order. His bones that were to 1562 in Saint -Gilles, were burned by the Huguenots.