BALASFY, TOMMASO. - Hungarian theologian and polemicist. Born at Kolozavar on 3 Dec. 1580 into a noble family; died at Pozsony on 10 March 1625. He studied in his native city, in Vienna, and in Rome, where he obtained a degree in theology. He was first a canon of Gyor (1607), then titular bishop in Bosnia (1613), and finally residential bishop of Pécs (1622).
He wrote vigorous polemical works against Lutherans and Calvinists, defending the dogmas and rights of the Church. The principal ones include: Csepregi ishola, Mellyben a Lutheranus es Kalvinista, Pozsony 1616; De fidelitate tabulorum, Vienna 1620; Apologia pro clero et aliis catholicis Hungariae, sive refutatio libelli cui titulus «Querela Hungariae», ivi 1620; Castigatio libelli Calvinistici cui titulus «Macchiavellizatio», Strasburgo 1620; Repetitio castigationis Calvinistici Alberti Molnár, Vienna 1621; Bethleniani Novisoliensis XXV refutatio, ivi 1621.