CARRANZA, BARTOLOMEO. — Learned theologian, born at Miranda (Navarre) in 1503, died in Rome on 2 May 1576. A Dominican from 1520, he taught in the Order’s studium at Valladolid, where he clashed with his confrere Melchior Cano. Promoted master in theology in 1539, he took part as a theologian in the Council of Trent (1546–48; 1551–52) and was one of the principal advocates of the obligation of bishops’ residence by divine right. He served as prior at Valencia (1546–50) and as provincial of the Spanish province (1550–54); in 1554 he accompanied the Infante Philip to England, where, with other Dominicans, he worked for the Catholic restoration (1554–57). After refusing the see of Cuzco (1540) and the Canary Islands (1549), he was compelled, at the insistence of Philip II, to accept the archbishopric of Toledo (1557).
In 1558 he published in Antwerp his *Comentarios sobre el catecismo christiano*. This work, certainly unpopular, drew suspicion of heresy because of certain judgments that were too severe against the abuse of indulgences and the open condemnation of clerical morals. On 22 August 1559 he was imprisoned by order of the Inquisitor Fernando Valdés, who had managed to obtain authorization from the aged and ailing Paul IV. The entire trial was a tissue of usurpations by the Spanish government. In vain did Pius IV and the Council of Trent attempt to transfer the case to Rome; repeatedly the special commissions set up within the Council itself declared in Carranza’s favor. The Spanish Inquisition, backed by Philip II, refused to yield; it fought to defend its prestige, while Philip II was driven by particular political and economic interests: he wished to reserve for himself the revenues of the see of Toledo and to assert greater authority so as to keep the bishops ever more obedient. Pius V succeeded in bringing Carranza to Rome (28 May 1567), took personal charge of the trial, and acknowledged the accused’s innocence; yet Spanish hostility still prevented a favorable outcome. The trial was concluded only under Gregory XIII (14 April 1576). Carranza was not condemned for heresy, but, given the delicacy of the moment, he had to retract certain suspect propositions and was suspended for two years from the exercise of his episcopal ministry. The humiliation was too great for one who had always fought for the integrity of the Catholic faith. He accepted the sentence, but a few days later he died, forgiving all his adversaries. He was buried in the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, and the Pope himself dictated the epitaph.
Besides the aforementioned *Comentarios*, he wrote *Summa Conciliorum* (Venice 1546); *Controversiae quattuor* (ibid. 1546); *Controversia de necessaria residentia personali episcoporum* etc. (ibid. 1547; Lyons 1550; Antwerp 1554; Venice 1562).