Difference between revisions of "Robert Bellarmine"
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| − | [[Image:StRobertBellarmine.jpg|right]] | + | [[Image:StRobertBellarmine.jpg|right|300px|thumb| St. Robert Bellarmine]] |
| − | '''St. Robert Bellarmine''' (b. 1542, died 1621) was the Bishop of Capua | + | '''St. Robert Bellarmine''' (b. 1542, died 1621) was the [[Bishop]] of Capua and played a major role in [[Counter Reformation|Catholic Reformation]]. Bellarmine was an outstanding scholar and [[Jesuit]] theologian who defended the Church against anti-clericals in [[Venice]] and composed exhaustive works against the prevailing heretics of the day. <ref>[http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=101 St. Robert Bellarmine] Catholic Online</ref> He was dedicated to almsgiving, prayer, meditation, fasting, and mortification of the body. Best known for writings against the belief that royal authority comes directly from God, Saint Robert was also a personal friend of [[Galileo]]. In 1931, he was proclaimed a [[Doctor of the Church]]. |
==Early Life== | ==Early Life== | ||
| − | Born at Montepulciano, [[Italy]], he was the third of ten children to father Vincenzo Bellarmine and mother Cinzia Cervini, a niece of Pope Marcellus II | + | Born at Montepulciano, [[Italy]], he was the third of ten children to father Vincenzo Bellarmine and mother Cinzia Cervini, a niece of [[Pope Marcellus II]]. In 1560, over his father's opposition, he joined the [[Jesuits]] (who had taught him as a child). |
==Society of Jesus== | ==Society of Jesus== | ||
| − | After ordination, Robert taught six years at Louvain where he became famous for his [[Latin]] sermons. In 1576, he was appointed to the chair of controversial theology at the Collegio Romano. St. Robert became Rector in 1592 and [[Cardinal]] in 1598 by Pope Clement VIII who said "he had not his equal for learning." <ref>[http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintOfDay/default.asp?id=1141 St. Robert Bellarmine] American Catholic</ref> He became Confessor or Spiritual Father of St. Aloysius Gonzaga until his death. | + | After ordination, Robert taught six years at [[Louvain]] where he became famous for his [[Latin]] sermons. In 1576, he was appointed to the chair of controversial theology at the Collegio Romano. St. Robert became Rector in 1592 and [[Cardinal]] in 1598 by [[Pope Clement VIII]] who said "he had not his equal for learning." <ref>[http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintOfDay/default.asp?id=1141 St. Robert Bellarmine] American Catholic</ref> He became Confessor or Spiritual Father of St. Aloysius Gonzaga until his death. Bellarmine helped [[St. Francis de Sales]] obtain formal approval of the Visitation Order. [[Saint]] Robert took part in the conclave of 1621, and was considered for Pope. He was also a theological advisor to [[Pope Paul V]]. |
==Church-State Relations== | ==Church-State Relations== | ||
| − | St. Robert fought against political Gallicanism, which was a consequence of the Great Western Schism, during which the idea of the Pope's supremacy was badly obscured. Robert argued against the “divine right of kings.” His famous works ''Disputations on the Controversies'' | + | St. Robert fought against political [[Gallicanism]], which was a consequence of the Great Western Schism, during which the idea of the [[Pope]]'s supremacy was badly obscured. Robert argued against the “divine right of kings.” His famous works ''Disputations on the Controversies'' discussed the temporal power of the Pope and the role of the laity. He said that authority originates with God and is vested in the people, who entrust it to fit rulers. This drew the ire of the French King and [[King James I]] of [[England]]. This monumental work made an immense impression throughout Europe for it also dealt a serious blow Protestantism. This was so acutely felt in [[Germany]] and England that special chairs were founded in order to provide replies to it. |
==Galileo== | ==Galileo== | ||
| − | In 1615, Robert took up the case against his friend Galileo. | + | In 1615, Robert took up the case against his friend Galileo. Bellarmine laid out the Church's attitude towards scientific theories in seeming contradiction with [[The Bible|Scripture]]. The case involved Galileo's [[heliocentric theory]], originated by [[Copernicus]]. St. Robert wrote that if a scientific theory is insufficiently proved, it should be advanced only as an [[hypothesis]]; but if it is solidly demonstrated, as is the case with a heliocentric solar sytem today, care must be taken to interpret Scripture only in accordance with it. <ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02411d.htm St. Robert Francis Romulus Bellarmine] Catholic Encyclopedia</ref> When the Holy Office condemned the heliocentric theory it became St. Robert's official duty to signify the condemnation to Galileo. In his prudence, he opposed severe action in the case of Galileo. |
==Canonization== | ==Canonization== | ||
| − | Robert died in Rome, Italy September 17, 1621 of natural causes. Venerated in 1627 by Pope Urban VIII | + | Robert died in Rome, Italy September 17, 1621 of natural causes. [[Venerated]] in 1627 by [[Pope Urban VIII]], he was [[beatified]] 13 May 1923 and [[canonized]] 29 June 1930 by [[Pope Pius XI]]. |
==Writings== | ==Writings== | ||
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<references/> | <references/> | ||
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[[Category:Saints]] | [[Category:Saints]] | ||
Revision as of 23:28, March 4, 2009
St. Robert Bellarmine (b. 1542, died 1621) was the Bishop of Capua and played a major role in Catholic Reformation. Bellarmine was an outstanding scholar and Jesuit theologian who defended the Church against anti-clericals in Venice and composed exhaustive works against the prevailing heretics of the day. [1] He was dedicated to almsgiving, prayer, meditation, fasting, and mortification of the body. Best known for writings against the belief that royal authority comes directly from God, Saint Robert was also a personal friend of Galileo. In 1931, he was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church.
Contents
Early Life
Born at Montepulciano, Italy, he was the third of ten children to father Vincenzo Bellarmine and mother Cinzia Cervini, a niece of Pope Marcellus II. In 1560, over his father's opposition, he joined the Jesuits (who had taught him as a child).
Society of Jesus
After ordination, Robert taught six years at Louvain where he became famous for his Latin sermons. In 1576, he was appointed to the chair of controversial theology at the Collegio Romano. St. Robert became Rector in 1592 and Cardinal in 1598 by Pope Clement VIII who said "he had not his equal for learning." [2] He became Confessor or Spiritual Father of St. Aloysius Gonzaga until his death. Bellarmine helped St. Francis de Sales obtain formal approval of the Visitation Order. Saint Robert took part in the conclave of 1621, and was considered for Pope. He was also a theological advisor to Pope Paul V.
Church-State Relations
St. Robert fought against political Gallicanism, which was a consequence of the Great Western Schism, during which the idea of the Pope's supremacy was badly obscured. Robert argued against the “divine right of kings.” His famous works Disputations on the Controversies discussed the temporal power of the Pope and the role of the laity. He said that authority originates with God and is vested in the people, who entrust it to fit rulers. This drew the ire of the French King and King James I of England. This monumental work made an immense impression throughout Europe for it also dealt a serious blow Protestantism. This was so acutely felt in Germany and England that special chairs were founded in order to provide replies to it.
Galileo
In 1615, Robert took up the case against his friend Galileo. Bellarmine laid out the Church's attitude towards scientific theories in seeming contradiction with Scripture. The case involved Galileo's heliocentric theory, originated by Copernicus. St. Robert wrote that if a scientific theory is insufficiently proved, it should be advanced only as an hypothesis; but if it is solidly demonstrated, as is the case with a heliocentric solar sytem today, care must be taken to interpret Scripture only in accordance with it. [3] When the Holy Office condemned the heliocentric theory it became St. Robert's official duty to signify the condemnation to Galileo. In his prudence, he opposed severe action in the case of Galileo.
Canonization
Robert died in Rome, Italy September 17, 1621 of natural causes. Venerated in 1627 by Pope Urban VIII, he was beatified 13 May 1923 and canonized 29 June 1930 by Pope Pius XI.
Writings
- The 15 Marks of the Catholic Church
- De Laicis: Treatise on Civil Government
- De Controversiis: Disputations on the Controversies of the Christian faith
- On the Art of Dying Well
- On the Ascent of the Mind to God
- On the Seven Words of Christ
References
- ↑ St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Online
- ↑ St. Robert Bellarmine American Catholic
- ↑ St. Robert Francis Romulus Bellarmine Catholic Encyclopedia
