Adalbert was born in 939 in Bohemia. When he as 27 years old, he was chosen to become the second bishop of Prague. His efforts to reform the diocesan clergy there raised so much anger, that Adalbert was forced to flee to Rome. Pope John XV relieved him of his episcopal duties and Adalbert retired to a monastery.
But while his clergy may not have like him, the people of Prague did and they soon recalled him to his post. It's said that he was expelled a second time, however, after excommunicating some people who violated the right of sanctuary by taking an accused adulteress from a church and killing her.
Adalbert became a missionary in Hungary and Poland, before leaving to preach in Prussia. his "imperious" manner this time offended the pagan priests in Prussia, who plotted to have Adalbert killed.
He was martyred about 997.
A statue of St. Adalbert outside the Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Krakow, Poland, has been damaged by acid rain cause by pollution from industries near Krakow and coal-fired heating in the Old City.
- Little White Book, Diocese of Saginaw