Desirant, Bernard

DESIRANT, BERNARD. - Augustinian theologian, b. at Bruges on 21 May 1656, d. at Rome on 2 March 1725. He distinguished himself by his vast theological learning and by his proficiency in many languages, especially ancient ones, whereby he became imperial theologian, professor of Scripture at the Sapienza in Rome (called there by Clement XI), qualificator of the Inquisition and prefect of studies at the college de Propaganda Fide. The struggle he waged against the Jansenists caused him no little trouble. His writings, all of a polemical nature, are also rich in autobiographical information and valuable for the history of the Jansenist movement of the 18th century.

Principal works: Commentorium ad orthodoxos (2 vols., Louvain 1701; placed on the Index, dec. 26 Oct. 1707); Honorius Papa vindicatus, contra jansenistas (Aachen 1711); Dissertatio dogmatica de oratione pharisae et publicam (ibid. 1712); Actio epistolaris de Gratia et libero arbitrio, eiusque prosecutio (2 vols., Aachen-Cologne 1712-13); Auctoritas episcopalis vindicata (Cologne 1713); S. Augustinus vindicatus contra Quesnellii propositiones (5 vols., Rome 1721-22); Consilium pietatis (3 vols., ibid. 1720).