CLINGE (Kling), Konrad. — A German theologian of the Conventual Franciscans, born in Nordhausen (Thuringia) c. 1483–84, died in Erfurt on 10 March 1556. He earned a doctorate in theology at the University of Erfurt (1520).
Guardian of the same convent, for 36 years he carried out extensive work as a theologian and preacher, particularly in the Cathedral (1530), opposing the errors of the Lutherans; he converted many, but was opposed and slandered by others, including in two writings by Luther and Melanchthon. Among his works are: Loci communes theologici pro ecclesia catholica (Cologne 1559), Catechismus catholicus... (ibid. 1562, 1570), etc.
BIBL.: Sbaralea, I. p. 212; III. p. 338; K. Eubel, Geschichte der kölnischen Minoriten-Observantenprovinz, Cologne 1906, pp. 21, 299, 300 (s. V. Kling K.); H. Bücker, in Franzisk. Studien, 10 (1923), pp. 117–98; 15 (1928), pp. 252–71; 17 (1930), pp. 273–97. Lorenzo Di Fonzo.