Henricus Calenus

Henricus Calenus or Henri van Caelen (1583–1653) was a clergyman in the Spanish Netherlands, closely involved in the early history of Jansenism.

Career

Born in 1583 at Beringen (in the county of Loon), Henri was the son of Jan van Caelen, a local magistrate, and Catherine Gevaerts. He studied philosophy and theology at Leuven University, enrolling in Pope's College in 1604 and graduating STL in 1615. In the mean time he had been ordained to the priesthood on 27 December 1607 and appointed parish priest of Asse on 31 January 1609. ^[1]

Calenus went on to be appointed archpriest of Aalst in 1612, and in 1624 parish priest of St Catherine's in the City of Brussels, and archpriest of Brussels. In Brussels he worked to improve the provision of primary education. He was later appointed a canon of Mechelen Cathedral.

In 1638 Calenus was appointed diocesan censor, and it was he who passed Cornelius Jansen’s Augustinus for publication, not only declaring it free of anything contrary to faith and morals but writing a glowing recommendation that publication be allowed. ^[2] In 1644 he was named bishop of the vacant see of Roermond, but the pope refused to confirm his appointment, and he relinquished all claim to the nomination in 1648.

He died in Brussels on 1 February 1653 and was buried in the church of St Catherine, where he had been parish priest.

Writings

• Kort verhael van den eersten oorsprong van twee miraculeuse crucifixen berustende in de parochiekerk der vrijheyt Assche (Brussels, 1615)

References