Saint Robert Bellarmine

Saint Robert Bellarmine , 1542-1621, Italian theologian, cardinal, Doctor of the Church, and a principal influence in the Counter Reformation . His full name was Roberto Francesco Romolo Bellarmino. He joined the Jesuits (1560) and taught at Louvain (1569-76) and at the Roman College (1576). In 1599 he was made cardinal and from 1601 to 1605 he was archbishop of Capua. His theological works (in Latin) were polemical and widely noticed. His three-volume Disputationes de Controversiis Christianae Fidei (1586-93), the most lucid modern exposition of Catholic doctrine, called forth many Protestant replies. As Jesuits nearly always were, Cardinal Bellarmine was uncompromisingly ultramontane (see ultramontanism ). He was an admirer of Galileo and a moderating influence at his trial. His devotional works have been translated frequently into English. Pope Pius XI canonized him in 1930 and declared him a Doctor of the Church the following year. Feast: May 13.

Bibliography: See biography by J. Brodrick (rev. ed. 1966).

Bellarmine, St Robert (1542–1621), theologian. Roberto Francesco Romolo Bellarmino became a Jesuit in 1560. He was made a cardinal in 1599 and from 1602 to 1605 he was Abp. of Capua.

He was a vigorous opponent of Protestantism; his chief work, Disputationes de Controversiis Christianae Fidei (1586–93), provides a systematic and clear apologia for the RC position. He took part in the production of the revised edition of the Vulgate in 1592. His view that the Pope had only an indirect and not a direct power in temporal affairs brought him into disgrace with Sixtus V. His sympathetic interest in G. Galileo reflects his reasonableness. Feast day, 17 Sept. (formerly 13 May).