BELLELLI, FULGENZIO. — Augustinian theologian, born at Buccino, in Campania, in 1675, died in Rome on 22 January 1742. He was professor of philosophy and theology at the principal houses of studies that his Order had in Italy (Rome, Siena, Florence, Naples, Venice). In 1727 he was appointed to the office of superior general, which he held for six years. Before and after his generalate he held the position of prefect of the Angelica Library in Rome. Extremely learned in the study of the works of s. Agostino, he strenuously expounded and defended the doctrine of the holy Doctor against the Pelagians, Baianists, and Jansenists. His language, which not infrequently betrays harshness and intolerance, led his adversaries to oppose him with vehemence; and because of some rash or insufficiently explained phrase of his, he was classed by his rivals with the heretics whom he himself combated.
Principal works: Mens Augustini de statu centurae rationalis ante peccatum, contra pelagianos, bajanos et jansenistas (Lucerna 1711); Mens Augustini de moda reparationis humanae naturae post lupum, adversus bajanum et jansenianam haerens (2 vols., Rome 1737; there 1738; there 1740); De Incarnatione Verbi Divini dissertatio (Perugia 1716, manuscript in the Angelica Library, cod. 1359 [T. 4. 24]).
BBL.: F. Bellelli, Autobiografia, manuscript in the Angelica Library, SS. 1. 25; Hurter, IV, col. 1371.