CLEMENS, FRANZ JAKOB. - German theologian, born at Coblenza on 4 Oct. 1815, died at Rome on 24 Feb. 1862. Having completed his studies, he travelled through Germany and Italy, acquiring a sound education; from 1843 to 1856 he was a private lecturer at the University of Bonn, then ordinary professor of theology (although a layman) at Münster, where he was much listened to and appreciated by his pupils for his method, depth, and doctrinal certainty.
Having fallen ill, he sought relief in the regions of southern Europe, but died too soon in Rome. He was buried near the tomb of S. Ignazio, truly worthy to rest beside the apostle of orthodoxy, on whose behalf he had fought throughout his life, above all in his lucid writings: Die speculative Theologie A. Günthers (Cologne 1853; a close refutation of the Güntherian system, which provoked the response of Günther’s followers: Baltzer [v.], Knoodt). C. replied spiritedly in the short work: De scholasticorum sententia philosophiam esse ancillam theologiae (Münster 1856), in which the relations between philosophy and theology are masterfully outlined. In defence of his position, he subsequently maintained a lively polemic with Kuhn (v). A man of holy life, he promoted the spread of the Conferences of S. Vincenzo.