Irreverenter dicta: la oposición a Agustín en los jesuitas españoles (1644)

Abstract

This paper relates the diffusion of XXII propositions against Augustine: circulated in Europe around 1640, they were thought to belong to various Jesuit theologians. Their origin is to be found in Leuven, from some unfortunate antiaugustinian sayings of Jean Schinckels, gathered in a Memorial presented to the Holy See by Jean Sinnich, delegate of the University, in 1642. In 1650, the Leuven Faculty of Theology sent to Madrid two doctors in order to prevent the King from publishing in Flanders the Bull In eminenti: they tried by all means to obtain a condamnation of the «Jesuit propositions» by the Spanish Inquisition as well as by the Roman Court. To the history of the Spanish and Roman dealings in this affaire, we add an extensive analysis of the founts and meaning of the propositions. While attesting the importance of the debates around Augustine’s heritage, the paper gives a fairly detailed account of the way a rumour could spread in 17th century Europe.

Keywords

• Augustin saint
• Saint-Amour Louis Gorin de
• Inquisition
• jansénisme
• jésuites
• Louvain