Bellelli, Fulgenzio

BELLELLI, FULGENZIO. - Augustinian theologian, b. at Buccino, in Campania, in 1675, d. at Rome on 22 Jan. 1742. He was professor of philosophy and theology in the principal houses of study that his Order had in Italy (Rome, Siena, Florence, Naples, Venice). In 1727 he was appointed to the office of superior general, which he then held for 6 years. Before and after his generalate he occupied the post of prefect of the Angelica library in Rome. Thoroughly versed in the study of the works of St. Augustine, he illustrated and strenuously defended the doctrine of the holy doctor against Pelagians, Baianists and Jansenists. His language, which not infrequently betrays harshness and intolerance, drove his opponents to contradict him with relentless zeal, and for some rash or insufficiently explained phrase of his, he was by his rivals lumped together with the heretics whom he himself was combating.

Principal works: Mens Augustini de statu centurae rationalis ante peccatum, contra pelagianos, bajanos et jansenistas (Lucerne 1711); Mens Augustini de moda reparationis humanae naturae post lupum, adversus bajanum et jansenianam haerens (2 vols., Rome 1737; ibid. 1738; ibid. 1740); De Incarnatione Verbi Divini dissertatio (Perugia 1716, manuscript in the Angelica library, cod. 1359 [T. 4. 24]).