Octavianus Praeconius (Octavianus de Precono/Octavianus Praeconius Siculus/Ottaviano Praeconio/Octaviano Preconio/Ottaviano Precone/Ottaviano Preconi, 1502-1568)
Octavianus Praeconius (Octavianus de Precono/Octavianus Praeconius Siculus/Ottaviano Praeconio/Octaviano Preconio/Ottaviano Precone/Ottaviano Preconi, 1502-1568) OFMConv. Italian friar. Born in Castroreale (Palermo, Sicily) in 1502. He joined the Conventual Franciscans in the Conventual Messina custody. Master of theology, provincial minister (1534-1537 & 1541-1544), counselor and confessor in the courtly circles of Emperor Charles V and Philip II, bishop of Monopoli (1548, nominated by Paul III). In this capacity, and at the invitation of Philip II of Spain, he took an active part in the second and third sessions of the Council of Trent (April 1555-March 1557 and October 1561-December 1563, respectively). Under Pope Pius IV, he was made Bishop of Ariano Irpino (1561–1562), and later Archbishop of Palermo (1562-1568). During his five-year tenure at Palermo he became very active at implementing the recommendations of the Council of Trent. At the moment his sudden death on 18 July 1568, there were rumours that he was poisoned.