Peter Marchant

Peter Marchant (b. at Couvin, then in the prince-bishopric of Liege, in 1585; d. at Ghent, 11 November 1661) was a Belgian Franciscan theologian, who became involved in Irish affairs.

Life

He entered the Franciscan Order in 1601, led an austere life and became a strict observer of the Franciscan Rule. He acquired a profound knowledge of scholastic philosophy and theology, and for several years taught in the schools of his order.

In 1625 he was elected definitor general of the order at the general chapter held in Rome; and in 1639 was appointed commissary general over the provinces of Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Ireland. His duties as commissary general brought him into contact with Irish politics during the times of the Confederation of Kilkenny. He took sides with the Ormondists and gave encouragement to their opposition to the nuncio Giovanni Battista Rinuccini.

He was called upon by the authorities of the order to justify his conduct in connection with the Irish question, and in 1661 he addressed to the general chapter then assembled in Rome his apologia under the title of "Relatio veridica et sincera status Provinciae Hiberniae", etc. This is a very rare book, never widely circulated and condemned by the general chapter; and ordered to be destroyed.

Works

Marchant was a voluminous author. His major work is "Tribunal Sacramentale" (3 vols., Ghent, 1642; Antwerp, 1672), for the use of confessors. It contains a full exposition of moral theology. He puts aside all disputed opinions, and simply states the doctrinal teaching of the Catholic Church, drawing his proofs from Holy Scripture, the decisions of councils, the constant tradition of the Church, and the writings of the saints. The treatise on probabilism is lucid and complete. Its principles are within the restrictions placed on the doctrine later on by the decrees of Alexander VII and Innocent XI; and in many points match the doctrine subsequently propounded by Daniel writing against the Lettres Provinciales.

Marchant wrote several works on the cultus of St. Joseph. His work instituted "Sanctificatio S. Joseph Sponsi Virginis in utero asserta" (Bruges, s.d.), was placed on the Index, 19 March 1633. He also wrote "Baculus Pastoralis sive Potestas Episcoporum in Regulares exemptos ab originibus suis explicata" (Bruges, 1638); "Resolutiones notabiles variorum casuum et quaestionum a multis hactenus desideratae" (Antwerp, 1655). Many of his works are on the history and legislation of the Franciscan Order.

His brother James was the author of the "Hortus Pastorum".

References

Attribution

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Peter Marchant". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton. The entry cites:
  • Luke Wadding-Sbaralea, Scriptores ordinis minorum (Rome, 1806);
  • Joannes a S. Antonio, Bibliotheca Universa Franciscana (Madrid, 1732);
  • Johannes Franciscus Foppens Bibliotheca Belgica (Brussels, 1739);
  • Servais Dirks, Histoire littéraire et bibliographique des Frères Mineurs en Belgique et dans les Pays (Antwerp, 1885);
  • Contemporary History of Affairs in Ireland, ed. J. T. Gilbert (Dublin, 1879–80).