Johann von der Leyen
Encyclopedia
Johann von der Leyen was the Archbishop-Elector of Trier from 1556 to 1567.
in 1510, the son of Bartholomäus von der Leyen, chancellor
of the Archbishopric of Cologne
, and his wife Katharina von Pallandt. He became Domizellar of the Cathedral of Trier
in 1528, during which time he studied at the University of Leuven
. In 1532, he became a canon
of the Cathedral of Trier. Additional canonicates at Würzburg Cathedral
and at Münster Cathedral
allowed him to continue his studies at the University of Paris
, the University of Freiburg
, the University of Orléans
, and the University of Padua
. He became chaplain
of the Cathedral of Trier in 1535 and then Archdeacon
in 1548. (Archdeacon is the highest clerical rank attained by Johann von der Leyen and he was never ordained
as a priest
or bishop
.)
When Archbishop of Trier John of Isenburg-Grenzau
fell ill, the cathedral chapter
of the Cathedral of Trier elected Johann von der Leyen as coadjutor archbishop on October 22, 1555. He became archbishop upon the death of his predecessor on February 13, 1556. He was enthroned as archbishop on April 25, 1556.
Johann von der Leyen was a proponent of the reservatum ecclesiasticum
provisions of the Peace of Augsburg
. He opposed the efforts of Kaspar Olevianus
to bring the Reformation
to the Archbishopric of Trier. In 1560, he encouraged the Jesuits to take control of the philosophy and theology faculties of the University of Trier
. He oversaw the establishment of a Jesuit gymnasium
in 1562.
He died in Koblenz
on February 10, 1567. He was buried in Koblenz in the church dedicated to Florinus of Remüs
. After his grave was desecrated by occupying French forces, in 1808, he was reburied in the Basilica of St. Castor
.
Biography
Johann von der Leyen was born in SaffigSaffig
Saffig is a municipality in the district of Mayen-Koblenz in Rhineland-Palatinate, western Germany.-The emblem:The organ pipes and the ear show St. Cäcilia, the patron saint of the Catholic church of Saffig. The lava dome shows the territory of vulcanos, where Saffig is.-History:The first reference...
in 1510, the son of Bartholomäus von der Leyen, chancellor
Chancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
of the Archbishopric of Cologne
Archbishopric of Cologne
The Electorate of Cologne was an ecclesiastical principality of the Holy Roman Empire and existed from the 10th to the early 19th century. It consisted of the temporal possessions of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cologne . It was ruled by the Archbishop in his function as prince-elector of...
, and his wife Katharina von Pallandt. He became Domizellar of the Cathedral of Trier
Cathedral of Trier
The Cathedral of Saint Peter is a church in Trier, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is the oldest cathedral in the country. The edifice is notable for its extremely long life span under multiple different eras each contributing some elements to its design, including the center of the main chapel...
in 1528, during which time he studied at the University of Leuven
Catholic University of Leuven
The Catholic University of Leuven, or of Louvain, was the largest, oldest and most prominent university in Belgium. The university was founded in 1425 as the University of Leuven by John IV, Duke of Brabant and approved by a Papal bull by Pope Martin V.During France's occupation of Belgium in the...
. In 1532, he became a canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
of the Cathedral of Trier. Additional canonicates at Würzburg Cathedral
Würzburg Cathedral
Würzburg Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Würzburg in Bavaria, Germany, dedicated to Saint Kilian. It is the seat of the Bishop of Würzburg...
and at Münster Cathedral
Münster Cathedral
Münster Cathedral is a cathedral in the German city of Münster. It is the city's main church and one of its most important historical monuments, as well as the centre of the Diocese of Münster since that diocese's foundation in 805....
allowed him to continue his studies at the University of Paris
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
, the University of Freiburg
University of Freiburg
The University of Freiburg , sometimes referred to in English as the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, is a public research university located in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.The university was founded in 1457 by the Habsburg dynasty as the...
, the University of Orléans
University of Orléans
-History:In 1230, when for a time the doctors of the University of Paris were scattered, a number of the teachers and disciples took refuge in Orléans; when pope Boniface VIII, in 1298, promulgated the sixth book of the Decretals, he appointed the doctors of Bologna and the doctors of Orléans to...
, and the University of Padua
University of Padua
The University of Padua is a premier Italian university located in the city of Padua, Italy. The University of Padua was founded in 1222 as a school of law and was one of the most prominent universities in early modern Europe. It is among the earliest universities of the world and the second...
. He became chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
of the Cathedral of Trier in 1535 and then Archdeacon
Archdeacon
An archdeacon is a senior clergy position in Anglicanism, Syrian Malabar Nasrani, Chaldean Catholic, and some other Christian denominations, above that of most clergy and below a bishop. In the High Middle Ages it was the most senior diocesan position below a bishop in the Roman Catholic Church...
in 1548. (Archdeacon is the highest clerical rank attained by Johann von der Leyen and he was never ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
as a priest
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
or bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
.)
When Archbishop of Trier John of Isenburg-Grenzau
John of Isenburg-Grenzau
John of Isenburg-Grenzau was the Count of Isenburg-Grenzau from 1554 until 1556, and the Archbishop-Elector of Trier from 1547 until 1556....
fell ill, the cathedral chapter
Cathedral chapter
In accordance with canon law, a cathedral chapter is a college of clerics formed to advise a bishop and, in the case of a vacancy of the episcopal see in some countries, to govern the diocese in his stead. These councils are made up of canons and dignitaries; in the Roman Catholic church their...
of the Cathedral of Trier elected Johann von der Leyen as coadjutor archbishop on October 22, 1555. He became archbishop upon the death of his predecessor on February 13, 1556. He was enthroned as archbishop on April 25, 1556.
Johann von der Leyen was a proponent of the reservatum ecclesiasticum
Reservatum ecclesiasticum
The reservatum ecclesiasticum was a measure inserted into the Peace of Augsburg of 1555 to balance the principal proviso of cuius regio, eius religio in ecclesiastical lands...
provisions of the Peace of Augsburg
Peace of Augsburg
The Peace of Augsburg, also called the Augsburg Settlement, was a treaty between Charles V and the forces of the Schmalkaldic League, an alliance of Lutheran princes, on September 25, 1555, at the imperial city of Augsburg, now in present-day Bavaria, Germany.It officially ended the religious...
. He opposed the efforts of Kaspar Olevianus
Kaspar Olevianus
Kaspar Olevianus was a significant German Reformed theologian during the Protestant Reformation and along with Zacharius Ursinus was said to be co-author of the Heidelberg Catechism...
to bring the Reformation
Reformation
- Movements :* Protestant Reformation, an attempt by Martin Luther to reform the Roman Catholic Church that resulted in a schism, and grew into a wider movement...
to the Archbishopric of Trier. In 1560, he encouraged the Jesuits to take control of the philosophy and theology faculties of the University of Trier
University of Trier
The University of Trier , in the German city of Trier, was founded in 1473. Closed in 1798 by order of the then French administration in Trier, the university was re-established in 1970 after a hiatus of some 172 years. The new university campus is located on top of the Tarforst heights, an urban...
. He oversaw the establishment of a Jesuit gymnasium
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
in 1562.
He died in Koblenz
Koblenz
Koblenz is a German city situated on both banks of the Rhine at its confluence with the Moselle, where the Deutsches Eck and its monument are situated.As Koblenz was one of the military posts established by Drusus about 8 BC, the...
on February 10, 1567. He was buried in Koblenz in the church dedicated to Florinus of Remüs
Florinus of Remüs
Florinus of Remüs , also known as Florin, Florian of Chur, Florinus of Matsch, and Florinus of Vinschgau, is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, particularly in the dioceses of Chur, Bolzano-Brixen, Vaduz, and in the Rhineland....
. After his grave was desecrated by occupying French forces, in 1808, he was reburied in the Basilica of St. Castor
Basilica of St. Castor
The Basilica of St. Castor is the oldest church in Koblenz in the German state of Rhineland Palatinate. It is located near Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle. A fountain called Kastorbrunnen was built in front of the basilica during Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in 1812....
.