PÁLEČ, ŠTĚPÁN

At the University of Prague he took the degree in Arts (1390) and also that in Theology (1410). In 1400 he held the office of rector of the University. In 1408 P. went to Italy as a member of the embassy of King Wenceslas IV to the Council of Pisa. Imprisoned by the legate B. Cossa, he was released only after the intervention of the King and the University. P. CHUS (v.) and together with him took an interest in the writings of Wickel, but rather for his reformist tendencies than for his dogmatic doctrines. When in 1412 Hus attacked the bulls of indulgence published by Pope John XXIII, P. firmly defended them. From that period date his principal works: *Tractatus gloriosus*, *Replicatio contra Quidamistas*, *De Ecclesia*, *Antihus*. In 1414 P. went to the Council of Constance, where he was the principal opponent of Hus, but also a fervent supporter of ecclesiastical reforms. Unable to return home because of the Hussite wars, P. went to Poland, where he taught at the University of Cracow and combated the infiltration of the Hussite movement. The year and place of P.’s death are unknown; the last news of him is from 1422. As a theologian P. particularly defended the cult of images and saints, indulgences, the efficacy of the Sacraments, the dogmatic value of sacred tradition, and the hierarchical constitution of the Church with the Papacy, although in the end he showed himself favourable to conciliarism.