Johannes Mezon

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Johannes Mezon (also: Johann von Teltsch ; according to the list of bishops of Olomouc: Johannes XVIII. Mezoun ; Czech: Jan Mezoun ; Jan XVIII. Mezoun z Telče ; † February 6, 1578 in Brno ) was Bishop of Olomouc .

Origin and career

Johannes Mezon was probably born in Telč in Moravia and came from a humble background. Orphaned at an early age and raised by his grandmother. After attending school in Telsch and Eibenschitz , he studied from 1561 at the University of Krakow , then at the Jesuit colleges in Olomouc and Dillingen . From 1571 to 1575 he studied philosophy and theology as an alumne at the Collegium Germanicum in Rome. With the support of the Pope, the University of Bologna awarded him the academic degree of Dr. theol. Already in 1573 he received on papal request, as sinecures the Domdekanat in Olomouc, although the local cathedral chapter of the canons had chosen January Dąmbrowsky in this office. The resulting conflict between the cathedral chapter and Johannes Mezon was temporarily settled after his return from Rome.

Bishop of Olomouc

After the death of Bishop Thomas Albin von Helfenburg , the cathedral chapter could not agree on a candidate and on May 29, 1575 elected the canons Daniel Ducius and Adam von Landeck without a clear majority. The cathedral dean Johannes Mezon and the Brno provost Stanislaus Pavlovský von Pavlovitz then negotiated with the emperor and the nuncio in Vienna . On January 21, 1576, the nuncio canceled the election and allowed a new election. On February 13, 1576, the papal candidate, Johannes Mezon, was elected. The papal confirmation of May 4th of that year was followed by the episcopal ordination by the Breslau bishop Martin von Gerstmann .

Although Mezon recognized his previous competitor Jan Dąmbrowsky as dean, his relationship with the cathedral chapter remained because of the previous conflicts. The cathedral chapter insisted on his free suffrage and elected another dean, whom Mezon did not recognize. On August 13, 1577, on the basis of a papal instruction, he transferred the dean of the cathedral to Jan Dąmbrowsky and the Olomouc provost to the future Archbishop of Prague, Zbynko Berka von Duba and Leipa .

Mezon tried to enforce theological principles and also paid attention to the fulfillment of spiritual duties with his canons. He protested against religious freedom , invoking his conscience and his bishop's oath. He died unexpectedly just two years after taking office. It is believed that he - like his two predecessors - succumbed to poisoning, which Jan Dąmbrowsky is said to have caused.

literature

predecessor Office successor
Thomas Albin von Helfenburg Bishop of Olomouc
1576 - 1578
Stanislaus Pavlovský from Pavlovitz