LAÍNEZ, DIEGO

Theologian; b. Almazán, Spain, 1512; d. Rome, Jan. 19, 1565. Upon completing his humanistic studies at Soria and Sigüenza, he studied philosophy and one year of theology at Alcalá (1528–33), and received a master in arts (1532). In 1533 he continued his studies at the University of Paris, attracted there also by the desire to know ignatius of loyola.

After having made the spiritual exercises, he along with six companions pronounced vows at Montmartre on Aug. 15, 1534. This was the nucleus of the Society of Jesus. He was ordained June 24, 1537, and spent the rest of his life in Italy, preaching and teaching. The Company of Jesus having been canonically established on Sept. 27, 1540, he and his companions made their solemn profession in it (April 22, 1541). His wisdom, prudence, and learning made him a confidant of Ignatius. Laínez was successively provincial in Italy (1552), vicar (1556), and general (1558) of the Company.

Though dedicating himself constantly to the study of the sacred sciences, Laínez was one of the great men of the Catholic reform, active in both preaching and teaching. He acquired a truly extraordinary reputation before popes and outstanding churchmen of his time. At his death, pius v said that the Church had lost one of its best experts.

The best-known activity of Laínez was his participation in three periods of the Council of Trent, in the first two as papal theologian, in the third as Council father. He arrived at Trent toward the end of the fifth session and intervened in the discussion on justification. Especially decisive was his refutation of G. seripando on twofold justification and the certitude of the state of grace. He worked on the redaction of an index of Protestant errors about the Sacraments prior to the seventh session. He also spoke on Penance and Purgatory. During the second period (1551–52) Laínez intervened in important discussions on the Real Presence, Penance, and the Sacrifice of the Mass. No less influential were his reform decrees drawn up in collaboration with dogmatic theologians. During the third period (1562–63) he spoke on the Mass, Communion under both species for the laity (which he opposed), Holy Orders, the jurisdiction, reform and residence of bishops, abuses in the clerical state, and annulment of clandestine marriages. He used his prestige to obtain the Council's approbation of the Company of Jesus. On the 400th anniversary of the Council (1963) it was recalled that Laínez was one of the leading figures in the Council's work.

At the request of Peter Canisius and Emperor Ferdinand I, Ignatius entrusted Laínez with the compilation of a theological work to meet the needs of the times. Because of the demands of the apostolic ministry, he was unable to finish it. Only notes and rough drafts were left behind.

Bibliography: d. laÍnez, Disputationes Tridentinae, ed. h. grisar, 2 v. (Innsbruck 1886). j. h. fichter, James Laynez, Jesuit (St. Louis 1944). c. sommervogel, Bibliothèque de la Compagnie de Jésus (Brussels-Paris 1890–1932) 4:1596–1600. p. bernard, Dictionnaire de théologie catholique (Paris 1903–50) 8.2:2449–50. m. scaduto, Storia della Compagnia di Gesù in Italia, v.3, L'Epoca di Giacomo Laínez: Il governo 1556–1565 (Rome 1964). f. cereceda, Diego Laínez en la Europa religiosa de su tiempo, 1512–1565, 2 v. (Madrid 1945–46).

[j. m. dalmau]