Peter Pazmany

Péter Pázmány (October 4, 1570- March 19, 1637), Hungarian cardinal and statesman.

Related Topics:
October 4 - 1570 - March 19 - 1637

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Born at Nagyvhrad, and educated at Nagyvrad and Kolozsvhr, at which latter place he quitted the Calvinist confession for the Roman communion (1583). In 1587 he entered the Jesuit order. Pzmhny went through his probation at Cracow, took his degree at Vienna, and studied theology at Rome, and finally completed his academic course at the Jesuit college at Graz. In 1601 he was sent to the orders establishment at Sellye, where his eloquence and dialectic won back hundreds to Rome, including many of the noblest families. Prince Nicholas Esterhzy and Paul Rkczy were among his converts.

Related Topics:
Cracow - Vienna - Rome

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In 1607 he was attached to the archbishop of Esztergom, and in the following year attracted attention by his denunciation, in the Diet, of the 8th point of the peace of Vienna, which prohibited the Jesuits from acquiring landed property in Hungary. At about the same time the pope, on the petition of the emperor Matthias, released Pzmhny from his monkish vows. On the 25th of April 1616 he was made dean of Turcz, and on the 28th of September became primate of Hungary. He received the red hat from Urban VIII in 1629. Phzmny was the soul of the Roman Catholic reaction in Hungary.

Related Topics:
Esztergom - Matthias - Urban VIII

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Particularly remarkable is his Igazsdgra vezet Kalauz (Guide to Truth), which appeared in 1613. This manual united all the advantages of scientific depth, methodical arrangement and popular style. As the chief pastor of the Hungarian church Phzmhny used every means in his power, short of absolute contravention of the laws, to obstruct and weaken Protestantism, which had risen during the 16th century. In 1619 he founded a seminary for theological candidates at Nagyszomhat, and in 1623 laid the foundations of a similar institution at Vienna, the still famous Pazmanaeum, at a cost of 200,000 florins. In 1635 he contributed 100,000 florins towards the foundation of a Hungarian university. He also built Jesuit colleges and schools at Presslaurg, and Franciscan monasteries at Erskfijvfir and Karmoczbnya.

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In politics he played a considerable part. It was chiefly due to him that the dices of 1618 elected the archduke Ferdinand to succeed the childless Matthias II. He also repeatedly thwarted the martial ambitions of Gabriel Bethlen, and prevented George Rhkczy I., over whom he had a great influence, from combining with the Turks and the Protestants. But Phzmhnys most unforgettable service to his country was his creation of the Hungarian literary language. As an orator he well deserved the epithet of the Hungarian purple Cicero. Of his numerous works the chief are: The Four Books of Thomas a Kern pis on the imitation of Christ (Hung., 1603), of which there are many editions; Diatribe theologica de visible Christi in terris ecclesia (Graz, 1615); Vindiciae ecclesiasticae (Vienna, 1620); Sermons for every Sunday in the Year (Hung., Pressburg, 1636); The Triumph of Truth (Hung., Pressburg, 1614).

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See Vilms Fraknbi, Peter Pdzmdny and his Times (Hung. Pest, 1868I872); Correspondence of Pdzmdny (Hung. and Latin), published by the Hungarian Academy (Pest, 1873). (R. N. B.)

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