John Gibbons (Jesuit)

John Gibbons (1602-1667) was an English Jesuit priest and controversialist. He was born in England and joined the Society of Jesus. Gibbons spent much of his career in continental Europe, particularly in Flanders, serving as a professor of theology and engaging in theological debates.

Gibbons is primarily known for his writings defending the Catholic faith and attacking Protestant doctrines. His most notable work is "Concertatio Ecclesiae Catholicae in Anglia adversus Calvinianos et Puritanos sub Elizabetha Regina," published in Trier in 1583 and expanded upon in subsequent editions. This work chronicles the history of Catholicism in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, offering a partisan account of Catholic resistance to the Elizabethan religious settlement. It includes biographical sketches of Catholic martyrs and details the persecution of Catholics under Elizabethan rule.

Gibbons’ work is considered an important, albeit biased, source for understanding the religious conflicts of the period. His writings were often polemical in nature, intended to defend Catholic positions against Protestant criticisms. He served as a significant figure in the intellectual battles of the Counter-Reformation. He died in Ghent.