Launoy, Matthieu De

Launoy, Matthieu De a Roman Catholic theologian, was born at Ferte-Alais, but embraced the Reformation at Geneva in 1560, and was admitted to the evangelical ministry. He was pastor at Heidelberg in 1573, afterwards at Sedan, where he had adulterous relations with one of his cousins, and was thus obliged to leave the place. Being excommunicated, he abjured Protestantism, and became one of the most furious preachers of the League. To justify his second apostasy he published, Defense de Launoy (Paris, 1578), and Declatrtion et Refutation, etc. (1579). To secure the favor of the Catholics, he published Reponse Chrietienne a xxiv Articles, etc. (1581). In consideration of his return to the Church of Rome, he was made canon of St. Gervais de Soissons, and. with Boucher, was one of the first four pillars of the League. He belonged to the council of sixteen who decreed the assassination of president Brisson. After the capitulation of Paris, Launoy went to Flanders, where he probably died. See Labitte, De la Demrnocratie Chez les Predicateurs de la Ligue et la France Protestante; Lichtenberger, Encyklop. des Sciences Religieuses, s.v. (B.P.)