Szymon Rudnicki coat-of-arms Lis (b. 20 October 1552, d. 4 July 1621) - Bishop of Warmia in 1604-1621, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Sambin, Great Secretary of the Crown from 1601, Prebendary of the Cathedral Chapter of Poznań in 1600-1605, Scholastic of Łęczyca, Canon of Kraków, Warmia and Poznań, Royal Secretary at the court of Stefan Batory and Sigismund III Vasa.

Biography

Szymon Rudnicki was born on 20 October 1552 in Rzeczyca. He came from a noble family, and his father was Castellan of Rozier. He began his education in Kalisz, and later studied at the University of Cracow, as well as at the universities of Bologna and Rome. In Rome, he stayed for several years at the court of Cardinal Stanislaus Hosius, who introduced him to church life.

Upon his return to Poland, Rudnicki became associated with the royal court. He served as a royal secretary during the reign of Stefan Batory and then Sigismund III Vasa. In 1601, he was appointed Grand Secretary of the Crown. In the meantime, he received numerous ecclesiastical benefices, including a canonry in the Warmia chapter. He was also a deputy of the Poznań cathedral chapter to the Crown Chief Tribunal in 1600.

In 1604 he was elected bishop of Warmia, succeeding Piotr Tylicki. His election to this position was approved by the Pope on 12 January 1605, and he was consecrated during the Sejm of the same year.

Activity in Warmia

As Bishop of Warmia, Szymon Rudnicki made a name for himself as a zealous steward of the diocese. He conducted visitations of 94 parishes in the years 1606-1610, took care of liturgical reforms in accordance with the resolutions of the Council of Trent and published in print the synodal constitutions in 1616, eliminating local liturgical differences.

He was also the founder of many sacred buildings. In 1611 he consecrated the chapel of the Catharine nuns in Braniewo, in 1616 a church in Königsberg, and in 1619 a chapel in Swieta Lipka. In 1617, he reclaimed the church of St Nicholas in Elbląg for Catholics. He also initiated the establishment of a Marian place of worship in Swieta Lipka.

Rudnicki was concerned about the level of education in the diocese. At his own expense, he educated young people at the Braniewo College and abroad. He supported Jesuit schools and the educational activities of the clergy.

Diplomatic and political activity

Rudnicki took an active part in the political life of the Republic. In 1613 he was appointed resident senator. He participated in royal commissions concerning Ducal Prussia, overseeing matters of the duchy's dependence on the Crown. He led to the granting of the title of Bishop of Samibia to the bishops of Warmia.

Death and legacy

Szymon Rudnicki died on 4 July 1621 in Lidzbark Warmiński. He was buried in Frombork Cathedral. His original tombstone was destroyed by the Swedes, but the Warmian chapter funded a new altar-nave in 1637. Rudnicki went down in history as an outstanding clergyman, patron of the arts and sciences and an effective reformer of the Warmian diocese