Zbyněk Berka of Dubá

Zbyněk Berka z Dubé

Zbyněk Berka z Dubé (1551–1606) was a Catholic Cleric, cardinal and the tenth Archbishop of Prague. He was a member of the religious order called Knights of the Cross with the Red Star.

Biography

Zbyněk Berka z Dubé was born in Dřevěnice in 1551, the son of Zedenék Berka z Dubé and his wife Katharina z Haugwitz. Being born into the House of Berka z Dubé, he was a member of the Bohemian nobility.

He was educated with the Jesuits at Prague and Olomouc. He then attended the University of Cracow, where he received a licentiate in theology. Next, he studied at the University of Ingolstadt, receiving a doctorate in theology.

He was ordained as a priest in Prague in 1574. Shortly thereafter, he became a canon of Salzburg Cathedral, St. Vitus Cathedral, Stará Boleslav Cathedral, Olomouc Cathedral, Litoměřice Cathedral, Regensburg Cathedral, and Oetting Cathedral. In 1574, he became provost of the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul, and later became provost of Saint Wenceslas Cathedral (1577), Oetting Cathedral (1581), Regensburg Cathedral (1582), and Litoměřice (1587).

In 1578, Pope Gregory XIII named him chamberlain to the pope and a protonotary apostolic. He served as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Regensburg from 1582 to 1587. He became grand master of the Knights of the Cross with the Red Star in 1590, holding this position until his death.

The cathedral chapter of St. Vitus Cathedral elected Berka z Dubé to be Archbishop of Prague on June 21, 1593. On October 10, 1593, he was consecrated as a bishop by Cesare Speciano, Bishop of Cremona.

On June 15, 1603, Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor granted him the title of prince of the Holy Roman Empire.

In 1606, Pope Paul V announced his intention to make Berka z Dubé a cardinal, but Berka z Dubé died before his elevation could take place.

He died in Prague on March 6, 1606, and is buried in St. Vitus Cathedral.