HUYGENS, GOMMAIRE. - Theologian, b. at Lierre on 26 Feb. 1631, d. at Lovanio on 27 Oct. 1702. Having graduated in theology at the University of Lovanio, in 1668 he was sent to Rome together with Ulderico Randaxhe to defend before Clemente IX certain ancient privileges of that University. After three years of negotiation, the two delegates succeeded in bringing their mission to a successful conclusion. Appointed professor of theology at the Collegio Adriano VI, in 1687 he also became a member of the University council. This appointment was recognized neither by the S. Sede nor by the Belgian government, because of the Jansenist errors that H. had defended in his writings (cf. his Mémoire sur l'affaire de Monsieur H., Lovanio 1688). Intolerant of the decrees of the S. Sede, in 1697 he was deprived by the bishop of Malines of the faculty to hear confessions and preach.
An indefatigable worker and forceful writer, H. left numerous theological and religious controversial writings; noteworthy are: Methodus remittendi et retinendi peccata (Lovanio 1674), condemned by the Spanish Inquisition on 28 Aug. 1681 “because it contained propositions of Giansenio already condemned or rash”; Compendium theologiae (ibid. 1679), placed on the Index on 17 Jan. 1691; Instructio theologica valde utilis ac salutaris pastoribus et confessariis (ibid. 1687).