FERRERI, Zaccaria. — Born in Vicenza in 1479, died in Rome in 1524. A Benedictine monk, then a Carthusian, he left the cloister for a more independent activity. With Cardinal Bernardino Carvajal, he was one of the most active opponents of Julius II at the Pisan Schism (1511), advocating the theories of the superiority of the council over the Pope. He later drew close to Leo X, who appointed him referendary, bishop of Guardialfiera, and nuncio to Poland, Russia, and Prussia (1519–21).
He also published: *De reformatione Ecclesiae suasorio... ad Hadrianum VI* (Venice 1523) and fought against Luther. His most notable work is: *Hymni novi ecclesiastici tuxta veram metri et latinitatis uormans* (Rome 1523), intended as the first step toward reforming the Roman Breviary, a task entrusted to him by Leo X. Clement VII permitted its use in private recitation of the Breviary, but due to excessive servile imitation of classical models at the expense of religious spirit, these hymns did not gain lasting favor.