MENSING (MENSINCK), JOHANN. - Dominican theologian, probably born at Magdeburgo, died at Halbertstadt in 1540. He entered religious life in 1495; between 1515 and 1517 he obtained degrees in theology, of which in 1525 he was appointed professor at the University of Francoforte. In 1534 he became superior of the province of Sassonia, and in 1539 he was promoted auxiliary bishop of Halbertstadt. He vigorously opposed Lutero and the other innovators, above all through the preaching he delivered at Magdeburgo from 1522 onward, at the court of Prince Giorgio d'Anhalt, and in other centres of Germany into which the nascent heresy had penetrated.
Principal works: Von dem Opfer Christi yn der Messe (s. l. 1526), against Lutero; Von dem Testament Christi unserers Herrn und Seligmachers (s. l. 1526), a fervent appeal to the nobles of Sassonia for the defence of the faith; De Ecclesiae Christi sacerdotio (s. l. 1532); and the Antiapologia (s. l. ca. 1534), against Melantone. Besides refuting the principal theses of Lutheranism, M. made a new contribution to the theology of the Church and of the papacy.
(photo Alinari) MENSOLA - Various corbels on the façade of the Palazzo Cloetta, formerly Fantuzzi, designed by Sebastiano Serlio (1526–32) – Bologna.