Barnabas of Terni
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Barnabas of Terni was a Friar Minor and missionary, d. 1474 (or 1477) established the first monti di pietà.[1]
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[edit] Early life
He belonged to the noble family of the Manassei and was a Doctor of Medicine and well versed in letters and philosophy before he entered the Order of Friars Minor in the Umbria province.
[edit] Religious work
After devoting himself assiduously to the study of theology, Barnabas began to preach with wonderful success, but a severe illness obliged him to abandon this work. He was almost continually employed in different offices of importance. He proved himself a zealous promoter of that branch of the order known as the Observance.
[edit] Founding of first mont de piété
Barnabas established the first monti di pietà, or charitable loan-institutions, designed to protect poor people against the usury of the Jews. After consulting his fellow religious Fortunatus Coppoli, who had been an eminent jurisconsult, and with the generous co-operation of the wealthy Perugians, Barnabas established the first monte di pietà in their city in 1462. Violent opposition ensued, but Barnabas and Fortunatus prevailed over their enemies at a public disputation. Barnabas next extended his work to other cities; it was enthusiastically taken up by several great Franciscan missionaries, and in their day, the monti di pietà wonderfully improved the social conditions of Italy.
[edit] Death
He died at the hermitage of the Carceri on Mount Subiaco at an advanced age and his remains were deposited there in the Chapel of St. Mary Magdelene. He is commemorated in the Franciscan martyrology on 17 February.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
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- This article incorporates text from the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913.
