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Jerome Leocata (''c.''1664-1745) was a major Maltese mediaeval philosopher who specialised mainly in metaphysics. His long academic career in philosophy and theology was very hampered by his many administrative commitments. His writings, however, bear witness to his thinking skills and his philosophical prowess. He possessed a clear and systematic mind, consistently endeavouring to give a sound philosophical basis to his speculations. No portrait of him is yet known to exist. ==Life== Leocata must have been born in 1664 or whereabouts.〔Mark Montebello, ''Il-Ktieb tal-Filosofija f’Malta'' (''A Source Book of Philosophy in Malta''), PIN Publications, Malta, 2001, vol. I, pp. 291f.〕 He most probably hailed from Valletta, Malta, for it was there that he joined the Dominican Order around 1680. He must have been sixteen years of age or perhaps a year or two older. He was still a student ten years later, in 1690, at the ''studium'' of the Dominicans at Valletta. In 1694, he was already teaching theology at the same ''studium'' We might somewhat gauge the intellectual capabilities of Leocata from the great esteem in which Ramon Perellos y Roccaful, the Grand Master of the Order of Knights Hospitallers, had for him. Documentary evidence exists which shows that the Grand Master recommended him to foreign diplomats for his wisdom and general abilities. Leocata became a Bachelor of Theology by sitting to a special exam in Rome, Italy, in 1700. Immediately, he was sent to Tripani, Sicily as Master of the Dominican students there, and also as Regent of Studies at the Dominican ''studium''. He was instituted in these offices in 1701. After two years (1703) in Sicily, Leocata returned to Malta to teach philosophy and theology at the Bishop’s Seminary. He stayed here barely two years, for in 1705 he was sent once more to Tripani at Regent of Studies there. Put forward by Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful, in 1707 Leocata was recommended to the Master of the Dominican Order for the office of Vicar-General of the Dominicans in Malta on behalf of the Sicilian Prior Provincial, a proposal which was accepted the following year (1708). In the meantime, the Dominican community at the Priory of Portus Salutis of Valletta elected Leocata as its superior. Thus, Leocata lived there and lectured at the ''Studium Generale'' of Valletta. Though juridically his office was subordinate to a higher one in Sicily, he was given wide decision-making powers to be almost independent. When, in 1710, his office as Vicar-General expired, Leocata was appointed for a second term. In 1712, Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful recommended for a third period (which was quite exceptional), however Rome declined the suggestion. He was appointed to the same office in 1717 and again in 1719. Between 1729, Leocata was elected Priory to the community at Vittoriosa, Malta, and a year later, in 1730, to that at Valletta. At each place, Leocata lectured at their respective ''Studium Generale''. In 1730, he was chosen to be the Prior Provincial in Sicily. However, Rome objected, and instead appointed him, for the fifth time, Vicar-General in Malta. In 1738, he was also Prior of the community at Valletta. Leocata died at Valletta in 1745. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Jerome Leocata」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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