Francis Lucas ‘of Bruges' and Textual Criticism of the Vulgate Before and After the Sixto-Clementine (1592)

This article deals with to the little known but very influential Leuven biblical scholar Francis Lucas ‘of Bruges’ (1548/9–1619). In particular, it traces the change of methodology in Lucas’ textual critical activity, due to publishing of the Sixto-Clementine Vulgate (1592), intended by the Vatican as the definitive text of the Vulgate. The author shows how Lucas was a realist and adapted his scholarly activities in the field of textual criticism to the contemporary ecclesiastical policies and sensitivities through the analysis of Lucas’ works