Stefan (Archbishop of Uppsala)
Stefan Uppsala (* in the 12th century; † July 18, 1185 ) was a Swedish clergyman and the first archbishop of Old Uppsala.
When the papal legate Nicholas Breakspear 1152 Sweden visited, he had the intention to assist in the establishment of an independent Swedish archbishop seat. This was recently done in the neighboring country Norway. However, the political situation made the realization of these plans impossible. King Sverker had to contend with a competitor for power, so that the meeting in Linköping, only ecclesiastical dignitaries came from the areas in which Sverker competitors were not prevalent. The legate then handed the job to the Danish Archbishop Eskil of Lund, what was even more important later.
From the disputes after the death of Erik the Holy Karl went, Sverker son, as king forth. Following the tradition of his house, he supported the entering of the Gregorian ideals parts of the church, particularly the Cistercian Order. 1164 was an embassy to Pope Alexander III. , Who was then in France in Sens, sent the supporters should produce for the establishment of a Swedish archbishop seat. Member of this delegation was Stefan, a Cistercian monk from Alvastra, who was already named the Bishop of Uppsala. His nationality is unknown, but he was probably not a Swede.
The situation was favorable for the approval of the Swedish desire. In the papal election in 1159 the imperial -minded people had put up an antipope. Alexander had fled to France, and the Catholic world was divided. With joy Alexander has the Swedish legation have seen, for it meant the binding of Sweden at him. In Sens was at that time already appointed Archbishop Eskil. He was due to its binding to Alexander also on the run. He gave the Pope the job, Stefan Archbishop of Old Uppsala to dedicate the time represented the old - Swedish political and religious center. The Danish Church would remain the Swedish. The consecration ceremony in Sens took place on a Sunday in August 1164. The new archbishop could not act undisturbed for long. The rule of Sverker ended in 1167 abruptly.
In the following years marked by controversy Stefan was traveling in a political mission for the Church's ideals and interests of Sverker followers in Denmark and Norway. To 1173 Knut Eriksson finally stood firmly as the new ruler. Stefan was forced to work with him. The result of his efforts to make the Gregorian Church thoughts in native Sweden, was not at his death, which had promised his first years in office.
About his work outside of the church is not much known. Stefan was buried among his friars in Alvastra.