Jean Marie Malderus

Jean Marie Malderus (van Malderen) was born in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw on 14 August 1563. His education was overseen by his uncle, Johannes van Malderen, a confidant of Cardinal Granvelle. Malderus studied philosophy at Douai University and theology in Leuven. By 1586 he was teaching philosophy at Pig College, Leuven and on 31 August 1594 he graduated doctor of theology. In 1596 he was appointed regius professor of Scholastic Theology by Philip II of Spain, and in 1598 president of the Pastoral Seminary in Leuven.
On 11 February 1611 he was named bishop of Antwerp. He was consecrated on 7 August 1611 by Mathias Hovius, Archbishop of Mechelen. As bishop he was concerned for the reform of morals in his diocese, as well as with combating Calvinism, especially in those parts of his diocese, such as the deaneries of Breda and Bergen op Zoom, occupied by Dutch forces.
In 1618 he consecrated the new Augustinian church in Antwerp, and in 1621 the new Jesuit church. On 26 July 1633 he made out his last will and testament, the main bequest being the founding of Malderus College in Leuven, to provide housing and scholarship to students of theology. He died in Antwerp on 21 October 1633.