Eric (bishop)
Eric (born in Norway in the 11th century) was a bishop of Garda in Greenland established by the Catholic Church. He worked in Vinland as well as Greenland.
Biography
Eric was active in the conversion of the natives of Greenland, and was the first bishop that exercised jurisdiction in America. As soon as the Norwegians under Thorwald began to form settlements in Vinland, Eric followed his countrymen from Greenland to the newly discovered continent. Here he labored among the natives for several years.
He returned to Norway in 1120, gave an account of the progress of religion in Vinland and Greenland, and advised the establishment of a bishopric in the new colonies. The bishop of Scandinavia erected the new see of Garda in Greenland, and recommended Eric as bishop. He was consecrated at Lund, in Denmark, in 1121, by Archbishop Adzar, and sailed for Garda with a body of missionaries, but, after a short stay, visited the new colony in Vinland. He later resigned as bishop so he might work as a simple missionary.
See also
Notes
References
- Sadlier, W.H. (1879). "Eric, Bishop of Garda". Sadlier's excelsior studies in the history of the United States for schools. p. 23.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Wilson, James Grant; Fiske, John, eds. (1900). "Eric". Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. New York: D. Appleton.