Gerhard Wolter Molanus
Encyclopedia
Gerhard Wolter Molanus was Lutheran theologian and abbot of Loccum
.
He studied theology at Helmstedt
; and in 1659 was appointed professor of mathematics and theology at University of Rinteln. 1671 Molanus became conventual of a Lutheran Loccum Abbey
and 1672 coadjutor of the abbot. There he lived in celibacy accoding to the Rule of St. Benedict. In 1674 Duke John Frederick
called him to Hanover as director of the consistory after Justus Gesenius
(† 1673). 1677 he became abbot of Loccum under title Gerhard I, one of the most influential offices in the duchy.
As a disciple of Calixtus
during the Syncretistic Controversy, Molanus used his power to abolish the hostility which prevailed between the Lutherans and the Reformed
. He was very active in aiding the Reformed, who after their expulsion from France by the revocation of the edict of Nantes
(1685) found a refuge in the country of Hanover. Molanus was also commissioned by the duke to bring about a reconciliation between Protestants and Roman Catholics. The Roman Catholic representative was Cristoval Royas de Spinola
, who appeared in Hanover in 1676 and then in 1683. These discussions were followed in 1691, 1692, and 1693 by negotiations between Bossuet
and Molanus, but no agreement resulted. Molanus found himself in agreement with Bossuet in regarding most of the differences between the Catholics and the Lutherans as misunderstandings or as different designations of the same content. But he did not regard the Council of Trent
legitimate because the Protestants had been condemned without being heard, and because it had not been accepted by the entire Catholic Church. Molanus considered further negotiations in vain, as the Protestants would never concede the matter of communion under both species. On account of the spirit of conciliation which Molanus manifested in these negotiations, it was rumored that he had become Roman Catholic, and he had to defend himself publicly in letters and treatises.
Loccum Abbey
Loccum Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery in the town of Rehburg-Loccum, Lower Saxony, near Steinhude Lake.-History:...
.
He studied theology at Helmstedt
University of Helmstedt
The University of Helmstedt, official Latin name: Academia Julia , was a university in Helmstedt in the Duchy of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel that existed from 1576 until 1810....
; and in 1659 was appointed professor of mathematics and theology at University of Rinteln. 1671 Molanus became conventual of a Lutheran Loccum Abbey
Loccum Abbey
Loccum Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery in the town of Rehburg-Loccum, Lower Saxony, near Steinhude Lake.-History:...
and 1672 coadjutor of the abbot. There he lived in celibacy accoding to the Rule of St. Benedict. In 1674 Duke John Frederick
John Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
John Frederick was duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and ruled over the Principality of Calenberg, a subdivision of the duchy, from 1665 until his death....
called him to Hanover as director of the consistory after Justus Gesenius
Justus Gesenius
Justus Gesenius Lutheran theologian of the seventeenth century, known for his catechisms.His father was preacher at Esbeck...
(† 1673). 1677 he became abbot of Loccum under title Gerhard I, one of the most influential offices in the duchy.
As a disciple of Calixtus
Georg Calixtus
Georg Calixtus, Kallisøn/Kallisön, or Callisen was a German Lutheran theologian who looked to reconcile all Christendom by removing all unimportant differences.-Biography:...
during the Syncretistic Controversy, Molanus used his power to abolish the hostility which prevailed between the Lutherans and the Reformed
Reformed churches
The Reformed churches are a group of Protestant denominations characterized by Calvinist doctrines. They are descended from the Swiss Reformation inaugurated by Huldrych Zwingli but developed more coherently by Martin Bucer, Heinrich Bullinger and especially John Calvin...
. He was very active in aiding the Reformed, who after their expulsion from France by the revocation of the edict of Nantes
Edict of Nantes
The Edict of Nantes, issued on 13 April 1598, by Henry IV of France, granted the Calvinist Protestants of France substantial rights in a nation still considered essentially Catholic. In the Edict, Henry aimed primarily to promote civil unity...
(1685) found a refuge in the country of Hanover. Molanus was also commissioned by the duke to bring about a reconciliation between Protestants and Roman Catholics. The Roman Catholic representative was Cristoval Royas de Spinola
Cristoval Royas de Spinola
Cristoval Royas de Spinola , born of a noble Spanish family, near Roermond in Gelderland in 1626; died at Wiener-Neustadt, 12 March 1695, was a Spanish Franciscan diplomat and Bishop of Wiener-Neustadt.-Life:...
, who appeared in Hanover in 1676 and then in 1683. These discussions were followed in 1691, 1692, and 1693 by negotiations between Bossuet
Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet
Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet was a French bishop and theologian, renowned for his sermons and other addresses. He has been considered by many to be one of the most brilliant orators of all time and a masterly French stylist....
and Molanus, but no agreement resulted. Molanus found himself in agreement with Bossuet in regarding most of the differences between the Catholics and the Lutherans as misunderstandings or as different designations of the same content. But he did not regard the Council of Trent
Council of Trent
The Council of Trent was the 16th-century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. It is considered to be one of the Church's most important councils. It convened in Trent between December 13, 1545, and December 4, 1563 in twenty-five sessions for three periods...
legitimate because the Protestants had been condemned without being heard, and because it had not been accepted by the entire Catholic Church. Molanus considered further negotiations in vain, as the Protestants would never concede the matter of communion under both species. On account of the spirit of conciliation which Molanus manifested in these negotiations, it was rumored that he had become Roman Catholic, and he had to defend himself publicly in letters and treatises.