JOHANN MENSING (MENSINCK). — Dominican theologian, probably born in Magdeburg, died at Halberstadt in 1540. He entered the religious life in 1495, and between 1515 and 1517 obtained his theological degrees, becoming a professor at the University of Frankfurt in 1525. In 1534 he was appointed superior of the Saxon province, and in 1539 was promoted to auxiliary bishop of Halberstadt. He vigorously opposed Luther and other innovators, especially through his preaching, which he carried out in Magdeburg from 1522, at the court of Prince George of Anhalt, and in other centers of Germany where the nascent heresy had spread.
Principal works: *Von dem Opfer Christi yn der Messe* (s.l. 1526) against Luther; *Von dem Testament Christi unseres Herrn und Seligmachers* (s.l. 1526), a fervent appeal to the nobles of Saxony for the defense of the faith; *De Ecclesiae Christi sacerdotio* (s.l. 1532); and the *Antapologia* (s.l. ca. 1534), against Melanchthon. In addition to refuting the principal theses of Lutheranism, M. made a new contribution to the theology of the Church and the papacy.