Religion Past and Present

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Contarini, Gasparo
(430 words)

[German Version]

(Oct 16, 1483, Venice – Aug 24, 1542, Bologna). Born into a patrician family in Venice, the diplomat and church reformer Gasparo Contarini began studying law in Padua in 1501. His interest in religious matters was awakened by friends. In 1511, he came to realize that his salvation depended on Christ alone, and not on his own merits (Jedin: Contarini's “tower experience”). Contarini remained a layman, but devoted himself to theology as an autodidact. From 1518 onward, he received assignments in Venice, and became the republic's ambassador to Charles V in 1521. He arriv…

Cite this page
Müller, Gerhard, “Contarini, Gasparo”, in: Religion Past and Present. Consulted online on 28 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1877-5888_rpp_SIM_03217>
First published online: 2011
First print edition: ISBN: 9789004146662, 2006-2013



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