Matteo da Gimara
Blessed Matteo da Gimara | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Agrigento | |
Mosaic (Alberto Farina) in Santa Maria di Gesù in Palermo. | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Diocese | Agrigento |
| See | Agrigento |
| Appointed | 17 September 1442 |
| Term ended | 23 July 1445 |
| Predecessor | Lorenzo da Napoli |
| Successor | Antonio Ponticorona |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1400 |
| Consecration | 30 June 1443 by Giovanni Rosa |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Matteo Guimerà c. 1376 |
| Died | 7 January 1450 (aged 33) Palermo, Kingdom of Sicily |
| Sainthood | |
| Feast day | 7 January |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 22 February 1767 Saint Peter's Basilica, Papal States by Pope Clement XIII |
| Attributes | Franciscan habit Episcopal attire Pastoral staff |
| Patronage | Archdiocese of Agrigento |
Matteo da Gimara, OFM (also known as Matthew of Agrigento; c. 1376 – 7 January 1450) was an Italian Catholic prelate and a professed member of the Order of Friars Minor. He served as the Bishop of Agrigento from 17 September 1442 until his resignation in mid-1445. He was forced to resign due to clerical opposition to his tenure and rumors spread against him forced this resignation.
Matteo was noted for his concern towards the poor as well as for his preaching abilities; he was known to have preached in various Italian cities and had support from Pope Eugene IV who was a benefactor. He also preached across Spain on several occasions being close to the monarch (he is alleged to have Spanish origins) before returning to the Italian peninsula to preach and assume his episcopal duties.
He was honored for his saintliness in life and death, which later led to Pope Clement XIII approving his beatification on 22 February 1767.