Thomas Waleys was a Dominican master of theology at Oxford University who delivered a noted sermon in 1333, during the beatific vision controversy. The sermon brought him into conflict with ecclesiastical authorities in Avignon. His idea that saints and purified souls would see God (i.e. attain beatific vision) immediately after death was at odds with the position of
Pope John XXII
Pope John XXII ( la, Ioannes PP. XXII; 1244 – 4 December 1334), born Jacques Duèze (or d'Euse), was head of the Catholic Church from 7 August 1316 to his death in December 1334.
He was the second and longest-reigning Avignon Pope, elected by ...
, who contended that God's essence would be revealed only after the
Last Judgment
The Last Judgment, Final Judgment, Day of Reckoning, Day of Judgment, Judgment Day, Doomsday, Day of Resurrection or The Day of the Lord (; ar, یوم القيامة, translit=Yawm al-Qiyāmah or ar, یوم الدین, translit=Yawm ad-Dīn, ...
.
Waleys was eventually freed from the papal prison and permitted to return to England.''History of Universities'' (Volume 2), Charles Schmitt, Avebury Publications, 1982, pg. 78.
In the first half of the 14th century Waleys wrote a tract which differentiated sermon style between the ''ancient manner of preaching'' and a newer style.
The old manner employed by the
Church Fathers
The Church Fathers, Early Church Fathers, Christian Fathers, or Fathers of the Church were ancient and influential Christian theologians and writers who established the intellectual and doctrinal foundations of Christianity. The historical per ...
and the saints was still preached in Italy and some other places. The modern sermon, however, was
more commonly heard. The ''modus antiquus'' was made up of a verse-by-verse commentary on the Gospel reading of the day while the modern sermon had its foundation on an individual selected ''thema''.''First the Bow is Bent in Study: Dominican Education Before 1350'', M. Michelle Mulchahey, Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies, 1998, pg. 401.