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[[Image:StRobertBellarmine.jpg|right]]

[[Image:StRobertBellarmine.jpg|right]]

'''St. Robert Bellarmine''' (b. 1542, died 1621) was the Bishop of Capua who played a major role in Catholic Reformation. Robert was an outstanding scholar and Jesuit theologian that defended the Church against anti-clericals in Venice and he 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 a personal friend of [[Galileo]]. In 1931, proclaimed a [[Doctor of the Church]].

'''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. <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. Educated by [[Jesuits]] as a boy. Over his father's opposition, he joined the Jesuits in 1560.

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. Also, helped [[St. Francis de Sales]] obtain formal approval of the Visitation Order. Robert took part in the conclave of 1621, and was considered for Pope. He was also a theological advisor to Pope Paul V.

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'', the temporal power of the Pope and the role of the laity. Saying authority originates with God, 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 Protestanism. So acutely felt in [[Germany]] and England that special chairs were founded in order to provide replies to it.  

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. Laid out the Church's attitude towards scientific theories in seeming contradiction with Scripture. The case involved Galileo's heliocentric theory of 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 this theory 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 and in his prudence, opposed severe action in the case of 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. <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. Beatified 13 May 1923 and canonized 29 June 1930 by Pope Pius XI.

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==