CALÉNUS, HENRI

"First of the Jansenists"; b. Beringen, Belgium, 1583; d. Brussels, Feb. 1, 1653. Henri Calénus (Van Caelen) completed his studies at Louvain, where he established a friendship with Cornelius jansen, future bishop of Ypres. From 1609 to 1624, Calénus served the parish of Asse, near Brussels, as an exemplary pastor, and was also active as dean of the deanery of Alost (1613–24). After his transfer to Brussels as pastor of Sainte-Catherine and dean of the city, he displayed remarkable zeal. Having maintained close contact with Jansen, he collaborated with him and the Abbé de Saint-Cyran in introducing Bérulle's Oratory into the Low Countries. As canon (1637) and later archdeacon (1642) in Malines, he became the close collaborator of Archbishop boonen, and was made vicar-general.

Shortly before Jansen died, he asked Calénus to work with Libert Froidmont, a professor at Louvain, in preparing a correct edition of his work, the famous Augustinus . In accordance with Jansen's wishes, Calénus devoted himself to this work from 1638 to 1640. After its publication (1640) and its condemnation by Rome, he continued to defend it and strove to obtain a revision of Rome's condemnation, especially with a view to safeguarding Augustinian doctrine. In 1644, the King of Spain appointed him to the episcopal see of Ruremonde, but he was unable to obtain confirmation from Rome despite his anti-Jansenistic oath. He renounced the episcopal title in 1648; his last years were marked by illness.

Bibliography: l. ceyssens, "Henri Calénus, évêque manqué," Bulletin de la Commission royale d'histoire 127 (1961) 33–128, with extensive bibliog.

[l. ceyssens]