FRANCK, Kaspar. – Theologian and controversialist,
b. at Ortrand (Misnia-Saxony) on 2 Nov. 1543, d.
at Ingolstadt on 12 Mar. 1584. In 1568 he abjured
Lutheranism, in which he had been born, and at once,
by dispensation of Pius V, was ordained priest. He then
returned as a preacher of Catholicism to the lands that
had heard him proclaim Lutheranism, bringing many
back to the faith.
From 1578 he held the chair of exegesis at Ingolstadt.
Counsellor to Duke Albert of Bavaria and a friend of
Cardinal Hosius, he was among the most representative
figures of Catholic Germany. His polemics were marked
by vast erudition and rigorous argumentation, always
grounded in a broad knowledge of patristic literature,
and in his extensive output (24 works) he effectively
refuted the most formidable opponents.