September 06

Born Giovanni dei Crescenzi around 930 into a noble Roman family, he was elected Pope John XIII in 965. His papacy was marked by efforts to restore the authority of the Roman See, including the reconstruction of churches and fortifications in Rome. He negotiated the confirmation of archbishops in Germany and expanded papal influence in Northern Italy. John XIII faced conflict with the powerful Roman nobility and was briefly imprisoned by Emperor Otto I. After his release, he continued to strengthen papal alliances but struggled with internal power struggles. He died in 972, leaving a legacy of consolidating papal governance and expanding the spiritual reach of the Catholic Church.

Born in 1210 in Piacenza, Vicedomino de Vicedominis rose through the ranks of the Church to become a cardinal under Pope Gregory X. He served as a papal diplomat, negotiating peace between rival Italian city-states and representing papal interests at the Second Council of Lyon. Vicedomino was known for his legal expertise and contributions to canon law, drafting decrees that shaped Church governance. He held the title of Cardinal-Deacon of San Giorgio in Velabro and later Cardinal-Priest of Santi XII Apostoli. Throughout his career, he balanced diplomacy and ecclesiastical administration, earning respect for his integrity. He died in 1276, leaving behind a legacy of legal scholarship and skillful negotiation on behalf of the papacy.

James Cannon Jr. was born in 1864 in Georgia and ordained as a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South in 1908. He became a prominent advocate for temperance, serving as the head of the Anti-Saloon League and lobbying for federal prohibition laws. Cannon’s political activism significantly influenced the passage of the 18th Amendment in 1919. His leadership extended to organizing church support for social reform and moral causes. Controversially, he faced legal challenges over financial issues related to his temperance work. Cannon died in 1944, remembered for his pivotal role in the crusade against alcohol in America.

Odd Bondevik was ordained in the Church of Norway and dedicated his life to theology and pastoral care. He served as Bishop of the Diocese of Møre from 1991 to 2008, guiding his flock through decades of social change. A respected scholar, Bondevik authored works on ecclesiology and the role of the church in contemporary society. He championed ecumenical dialogue, fostering cooperation between various Christian denominations. Through his ministry and writings, Bondevik had a profound impact on Norway's religious community.