Quesnel, Pasquier (1634–1719)

French Jansenist theologian. His edition of the works of Leo the Great, published in 1675, was placed on the Index Librorum Prohibitorum (the list of books forbidden to members of the Roman Catholic Church) in 1676. Quesnel was banished from Paris for his Jansenist views in 1681, and, having refused to subscribe to a decree condemning Jansenism in 1684, fled to Brussels, Belgium. The Jesuits, always hostile, had him imprisoned in 1703, but he escaped to Amsterdam, Netherlands, to found the still-existing Jansenist congregation.

Quesnel was born in Paris, France. He joined the French Oratory in 1657. His Nouveau Testament avec les reflexions morales (1693–94), was condemned by the bull Unigenitus in 1713. His Lettres were edited by Le Courayer (1721–23).