Saffaracus of Paris was a 6th century French

bishop A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is ca ...

Early life

We know almost nothing of his life, except that he was probably of

Frankish Frankish may refer to: * Franks, a Germanic tribe and their culture ** Frankish language or its modern descendants, Franconian languages * Francia, a post-Roman state in France and Germany * East Francia, the successor state to Francia in Germany ...

origin and before being made

Bishop of Paris The Archdiocese of Paris (Latin: ''Archidioecesis Parisiensis''; French: ''Archidiocèse de Paris'') is a Latin Church ecclesiastical jurisdiction or archdiocese of the Catholic Church in France. It is one of twenty-three archdioceses in France ...

he was an abbot.

Career

Saffaracus was present at the Fifth Council of Orléans in 549. Saffaracus is best known for having been at a council called to dismissed from his ministry. This event is reported by

Gregory of Tours Gregory of Tours (30 November 538 – 17 November 594 AD) was a Gallo-Roman historian and Bishop of Tours, which made him a leading prelate of the area that had been previously referred to as Gaul by the Romans. He was born Georgius Florenti ...

, who refers to it without giving any explanation. However, Charles Louandre specifies, that convinced of a capital crime, he was exiled to a monastery where he finished his days.

Saffaracus, forgot the duties of his ministry. Accused and convinced by his own confession of a capital crime, in a council summoned to Paris expressly to judge him, he was condemned to be shut up for the rest of his days in a monastery; but this is an exceptional fact.

This capital crime was probably

simony Simony () is the act of selling church offices and roles or sacred things. It is named after Simon Magus, who is described in the Acts of the Apostles as having offered two disciples of Jesus payment in exchange for their empowering him to imp ...

or repeated

adultery Adultery (from Latin ''adulterium'') is extramarital sex that is considered objectionable on social, religious, moral, or legal grounds. Although the sexual activities that constitute adultery vary, as well as the social, religious, and legal ...

, as other authors have pointed out. As for the council or synod in question, it is the Council of Paris, which some fix in 551, while others in 552, but more likely of 553. This council, organized to judge him, was summoned by King Childebert and presided over by the archbishop of Arles, Sapaudus. Be that as it may, Saffaracus deposed was confined in a monastery and replaced by Eusebius, although

says Saint Nicet replaced him.

''History of the Franks'' Book IV.

References

{{Authority control 6th-century Frankish bishops Year of birth unknown Year of death unknown Bishops of Paris