| Saint Latro | |
|---|---|
Saint Remigius. Painting by Master of Saint Giles. It has been theorized that the 4 figures in the right foreground are Genebald, his wife, and their children Latro and Vulpecula.[1] |
|
| Bishop | |
| Born | ~499 AD Laon, France |
| Died | 570 AD |
| Honored in | Roman Catholic Church |
Saint Latro (literally “Thief”) (French: Latron, Larron) (~499 AD—570 AD) was a Frankish bishop of Laon. He succeeded his father Saint Genebald as bishop of Laon.[2] According to The Golden Legend, Genebald was married to Remigius' niece.[3]
Because the diocese of Rheims was too large, Remigius had decided to create a separate diocese centered at Laon, and chose Latro’s father Genebald to be Laon’s first bishop.[3] A married clerk, Genebald left his wife to become bishop around 499 AD.[3] However, according to Canon Flodoard’s 10th century account, Flodoardi Historiae Remensis Ecclesiae, and repeated by The Golden Legend,[4] Genebald, after he became bishop, slept with his wife, who became pregnant with a boy.
Genebald asked that his son be named Latro (“Thief”), “because he had engendered it by theft.”[3] So that it would not appear that his wife had borne a child out of wedlock, Genebald had her visit him again. Again they slept together, and this time his wife became pregnant with a girl, whom they named Vulpecula (“she-fox”).[3]
Remigius had Genebald shut in a small cell near the church of St. Julian[2] for seven years. Remigius fed Genebald on only bread and water during this time, and took over Genebald’s duties as bishop of Laon.[3] Genebald was released after seven years, and the bishop of Rheims reinstated Latro's father as bishop of Laon.[3]
According to Christian Cochini, “this legendary narrative probably has a kernel of truth.”[4]
Reinstated as bishop, Genebald remained chaste for the rest of his life.[3] After his death in 550 AD, Latro succeeded him as bishop of Laon.[3] Latro was also venerated as a saint.[3]