Bartholomew Mastrius

Born at Meldola, near Forlì, in 1602, he received his early education at Cesena and took degrees at the University of Bologna.

[1] He acquired a profound knowledge of scholastic philosophy and theology, being deeply versed in the writings of Duns Scotus.

His opinions on some philosophical questions were fiercely combatted by many of his contemporaries and especially by Matthew Ferchi and the Irish Franciscan John Punch.

[2] When presenting the second volume of his work on the "Sentences" to Alexander VII, to whom he had dedicated it, the pope asked him where he had learned to treat his opponent Ferchi in such a rough manner: Mastrius answered, "From St. Augustine and St. Jerome, who in defence of their respective opinions on the interpretation of Holy Scripture fought hard and not without reason".

In 2002, to celebrate the fourth centenary of his birth, an international conference was held in Meldola, Mastri’s native town (near Forlì), devoted to his philosophical thought.