Who he was
Cornelius was chosen, against his own wishes, when the persecution of Decius eased in 251 after the see had been empty for over a year. Within weeks the Roman priest Novatian set himself up as a rival bishop, splitting the Church; St Cyprian of Carthage and St Dionysius of Alexandria stood by Cornelius, and the Church as a whole came to recognise him.
What he is remembered for
He upheld the merciful practice, agreed with St Cyprian, of receiving back after penance those who had lapsed under persecution. In 252 he was exiled to Centumcellae (Civitavecchia), where he died the following June, a martyr in St Cyprian's words. He is honoured together with St Cyprian, whose feast was kept at his tomb in Rome.
He is honoured by the Church as Saint. Read his page in the dictionary of saints.
Sources
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