Quotes:John of Parma

Zirkoff, Boris

John of Parma. Italian divine, b. at Parma, ca. 1209; d. at Camerino, March 19, 1289. Family name was probably Buralli. Educated by his uncle, and quickly elevated to teacher of philosophy. Entered Order of Friars Minor and, as ordained priest, taught theology at Bologna and Naples. After assisting at the First Council of Lyons, 1245, he read the “Sentences” at Paris. Great learning caused his election as minister general of the Order, a post he occupied from July, 1247, to Feb., 1257. Personally visited different provinces of the Order, first in England, where he was received by Henry III, later in France and Spain, 1248, whence he was recalled by Innocent IV for an embassy to the East. The purpose of this embassy was reunion with the Greek Church, whose repres. met him at Nice. No immediate results were obtained. He also strove for peaceful settlement in the famous dispute between the Mendicants and the University of Paris. Persecution of his enemies caused the end of his generalate; under 422 pressure he convoked a general chapter at Rome, Feb. 2, 1257, where he resigned, proposing St. Bonaventure as successor. John retired to the Hermitage of Greccio near Rieti, in voluntary exile. Accused of Joachimism, he was committed to a canonical process by St. Bonaventure and Cardinal John Gaetano Orsini; intervention of pope’s nephew saved him from being condemned. Returned then to his cell at Greccio. Still vitally interested in reunion with the Greek Church, he obtained permission to go to Greece, but was only able to reach Camerino where he died. He was beatified in 1777. Attributed to him are these works: Dialogus de vitis ss. Fratrum Minorum (ed. by L. Lemmens, Rome, 1902), and Sacrum Commercium B. Francisci cum Domina Paupertate (ed. Milan, 1539; ed. Rawnley, London, 1904).

Source: Boris de Zirkoff, «H. P. Blavatsky Collected Writings», vol. 9, pp. 421-422