Antony Hickey - Works

Works

During the discussions which were held in Rome concerning the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, Hickey won distinction by his learning and acuteness. His treatise on this subject is called by Marracius (Bibliotheca Mariana) "opus insigne et absolutum". In his work on the Fourth Book of Sentences, he shows great breadth of view and critical perception; in addition to the scholastic method, he makes use of the historical method and fully recognizes the development of sacramental theology.

Hickey wrote:

• "Commentarii in Lib. IV Sententiarum" (Lyons, 1639)
• "Nitela Franciscanæ Religionis" (Lyons, 1627); in this book he refutes defends the early history of the Franciscan Order against Abraham Bzovius;
• "De Conceptione Immaculata B. Mariæ Virginis";
• "De Stigmatibus S. Catharinæ Senensis", written by order of the Sacred Congregation of Rites;
• "Ad pleraque dubia moralia, et ascetica, gravissimæ responsiones". This work, which Wadding calls "opus doctissimum", is still in manuscript.

Among the manuscripts preserved in the Franciscan Convent, Dublin, were several letters written to Father Hickey from Ireland on the civil and ecclesiastical affairs of that country. There is also an important letter of his on the Irish language. Many of the Irish bishops consulted him on matters of grave moment. His acquaintance with the history, language, and antiquities of Ireland was extensive, and in co-operation with John Colgan, Hugh Ward, and other Irish scholars, he drew up a plan for a critical history of Ireland in all its branches, — but this idea was not realized.