Francis Sylvius
Encyclopedia
Francis Sylvius was a Flemish
County of Flanders
The County of Flanders was one of the territories constituting the Low Countries. The county existed from 862 to 1795. It was one of the original secular fiefs of France and for centuries was one of the most affluent regions in Europe....

 Roman Catholic theologian.

Life

After completing his course of humanities at Mons
Mons
Mons is a Walloon city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut, of which it is the capital. The Mons municipality includes the old communes of Cuesmes, Flénu, Ghlin, Hyon, Nimy, Obourg, Baudour , Jemappes, Ciply, Harmignies, Harveng, Havré, Maisières, Mesvin, Nouvelles,...

, he studied philosophy at the Catholic University of Leuven
Catholic University of Leuven
The Catholic University of Leuven, or of Louvain, was the largest, oldest and most prominent university in Belgium. The university was founded in 1425 as the University of Leuven by John IV, Duke of Brabant and approved by a Papal bull by Pope Martin V.During France's occupation of Belgium in the...

 and theology at University of Douai
University of Douai
The University of Douai is a former university in Douai, France. With a Middle Ages heritage of scholar activities in Douai, the university was established in 1559 and lectures started in 1562. It closed from 1795 to 1808...

, in a seminary founded by the bishop of Cambrai in connection with the faculty of theology. While studying theology he taught philosophy at the royal college. On 9 November 1610, he was made doctor of theology with the highest honours.

The faculty of theology wished to retain this promising scholar, but there was no chair vacant. A professor, Barthélemy Pierre de Lintra, resigned his position in favour of Sylvius, but, upon the death of Estius (20 September 1613), of the University of Douai
University of Douai
The University of Douai is a former university in Douai, France. With a Middle Ages heritage of scholar activities in Douai, the university was established in 1559 and lectures started in 1562. It closed from 1795 to 1808...

, Sylvius succeeded him and later was called to direct the episcopal seminary in which he had been a student. He was appointed (1 February 1618) canon of the collegiate Church of St. Amat, and finally dean (28 January 1622), and to this title was added that of vice-chancellor of the university.

When in 1648 the theologians of Leuven sought to win the University of Douai over to Jansenism
Jansenism
Jansenism was a Christian theological movement, primarily in France, that emphasized original sin, human depravity, the necessity of divine grace, and predestination. The movement originated from the posthumously published work of the Dutch theologian Cornelius Otto Jansen, who died in 1638...

, Sylvius opposed them vigorously; but throughout the controversy he preserved the moderation of his character. Absorbed by study and his duties, his life was largely undisturbed for thirty years until his death. He was buried in the choir of the Church of St. Amat, and an epitaph engraved on his tomb recalled, with his titles and qualities, his attachment to Augustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo , also known as Augustine, St. Augustine, St. Austin, St. Augoustinos, Blessed Augustine, or St. Augustine the Blessed, was Bishop of Hippo Regius . He was a Latin-speaking philosopher and theologian who lived in the Roman Africa Province...

 and Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas, O.P. , also Thomas of Aquin or Aquino, was an Italian Dominican priest of the Catholic Church, and an immensely influential philosopher and theologian in the tradition of scholasticism, known as Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communis, or Doctor Universalis...

 as a faithful disciple of one and a lucid interpreter of the other, also his liberality towards the poor and religious, whom he made his heirs.

Works

At the commencement of his works, as at the beginning of his lectures, he professed his intention to remain submissive to the authority of the Roman Catholic Church. He gained his reputation as a theologian chiefly through his commentary on the Summa of Thomas Aquinas. It contained four folio volumes, which he was prevailed upon to publish.

He wrote also several treatises on dogmatic theology and controversy, and some on moral theology. Among his other works may be mentioned:
  • an edition with notes, of Binsfeld
    Binsfeld
    Binsfeld is a village in the commune of Weiswampach, in northern Luxembourg. , the village has a population of 220....

    's "Enchiridion theologiae pastoralis", which had great success in Belgium and France, where it was the first manual of theology used by seminarians;
  • resolutions of cases of conscience, in which he showed himself a moderate Probabilist
    Probabilism
    In theology and philosophy, probabilism refers to an ancient Greek doctrine of academic skepticism. It holds that in the absence of certainty, probability is the best criterion...

    . ,


He wrote also commentaries on Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, which were praised by Calmet. He adapted the Instructions of Charles Borromeo
Charles Borromeo
Charles Borromeo was the cardinal archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Milan from 1564 to 1584. He was a leading figure during the Counter-Reformation and was responsible for significant reforms in the Catholic Church, including the founding of seminaries for the education of priests...

 for use of the Church in Belgium, and he made additions to the Summa Conciliorum of Carranza
Carranza
Carranza can refer to:Places*Karrantza, a town in the Biscay province of northern Spain*Venustiano Carranza, D.F., a borough of Mexico CityPeople*Bartolomé Carranza , Spanish theologian*Bruno Carranza Ramirez , president of Costa Rica...

. His complete works were published by Père Norbert d'Elbecque at Antwerp in 1698, in six folio volumes, the first of which contains the life of Sylvius. This edition was reproduced at Venice in 1726; the editor omitted the works of Sylvius against Jansenism.
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