Roman Catholic Diocese Of Angers
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The Diocese of Angers (
Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...
: ''Dioecesis Andegavensis''; French: ''Diocèse d'Angers'') is a
Latin Church The Latin Church () is the largest autonomous () particular church within the Catholic Church, whose members constitute the vast majority of the 1.3 billion Catholics. The Latin Church is one of 24 Catholic particular churches and liturgical ...
diocese In Ecclesiastical polity, church governance, a diocese or bishopric is the ecclesiastical district under the jurisdiction of a bishop. History In the later organization of the Roman Empire, the increasingly subdivided Roman province, prov ...
of the
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in
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
. The episcopal see is located in Angers Cathedral in the city of
Angers Angers (, , ;) is a city in western France, about southwest of Paris. It is the Prefectures of France, prefecture of the Maine-et-Loire department and was the capital of the province of Duchy of Anjou, Anjou until the French Revolution. The i ...
. The diocese extends over the entire department of
Maine-et-Loire Maine-et-Loire () is a department in the Loire Valley in the Pays de la Loire region in Western France. It is named after the two rivers, Maine and the Loire. It borders Mayenne and Sarthe to the north, Loire-Atlantique to the west, Indr ...
. It was a
suffragan see A suffragan diocese is one of the dioceses other than the metropolitan archdiocese that constitute an ecclesiastical province. It exists in some Christian denominations, in particular the Catholic Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, ...
of the
Archdiocese of Tours The Archdiocese of Tours (; ) is a Latin Church archdiocese of the Catholic Church in France. The archdiocese has roots that go back to the 3rd century, while the formal erection of the diocese dates from the 5th century. The ecclesiastical pro ...
under the old regime as well as under the Concordat. Since the general reorganization of the French hierarchy of 8 December 2002, the diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Rennes, Dol, and Saint-Malo. In 2022, in the Diocese of Angers there was one priest for every 2,944 Catholics.


History

The first bishop of Angers known in history is Defensor, who was present in 372 at the election of the
Bishop of Tours The Archdiocese of Tours (; ) is a Latin Church archdiocese of the Catholic Church in France. The archdiocese has roots that go back to the 3rd century, while the formal erection of the diocese dates from the 5th century. The ecclesiastical p ...
, and made a determined stand against the nomination of
Martin of Tours Martin of Tours (; 316/3368 November 397) was the third bishop of Tours. He is the patron saint of many communities and organizations across Europe, including France's Third French Republic, Third Republic. A native of Pannonia (present-day Hung ...
. The legend concerning the earlier episcopate of a certain Auxilius, who converted nearly the entire province ca. 260–270; he is connected with the cycle of legends that centre about Firmin of Amiens, who is said to have evangelized Bauvais, and is contradicted by Angevin tradition from before the thirteenth century. Among the names of the Diocese of Angers during the first centuries of its existence are those of Maurilius, disciple of Martin of Tours, and at an earlier period hermit of Chalonnes, who made a vigorous stand against
idolatry Idolatry is the worship of an idol as though it were a deity. In Abrahamic religions (namely Judaism, Samaritanism, Christianity, Islam, and the Baháʼí Faith) idolatry connotes the worship of something or someone other than the Abrahamic ...
, and died in 427. As for the tradition that
Renatus Renatus is a first name of Latin origin which means "born again" ("natus" = "born"). The name has a spiritual meaning, i.e., to be born again with baptism, i.e., from water and the Holy Spirit. It was extensively adopted by early Christians in ...
, who had been raised from the dead by Maurilius, was Bishop of Angers for some time shortly before 450, it bases its claims to credibility on a late life of Maurilius written in 905 by the deacon Archinald, and circulated under the name of
Gregory of Tours Gregory of Tours (born ; 30 November – 17 November 594 AD) was a Gallo-Roman historian and Bishop of Tours during the Merovingian period and is known as the "father of French history". He was a prelate in the Merovingian kingdom, encom ...
, and it seems to have no real foundation. Thalassius, consecrated bishop in 453, has left a compendium of
canon law Canon law (from , , a 'straight measuring rod, ruler') is a set of ordinances and regulations made by ecclesiastical jurisdiction, ecclesiastical authority (church leadership) for the government of a Christian organization or church and its membe ...
, consisting of the decisions of the councils of the province of Tours;
Licinius Valerius Licinianus Licinius (; Ancient Greek, Greek: Λικίνιος; c. 265 – 325) was Roman emperor from 308 to 324. For most of his reign, he was the colleague and rival of Constantine I, with whom he co-authored the Edict of Milan that ...
(Lezin), a courtier and constable of King
Chlothar I Chlothar I, sometime called "the Old" (French: le Vieux), (died December 561) also anglicised as Clotaire from the original French version, was a king of the Franks of the Merovingian dynasty and one of the four sons of Clovis I. With his eldes ...
who appointed him
Count of Anjou The Count of Anjou was the ruler of the County of Anjou, first granted by King Charles the Bald, Charles the Bald of West Francia in the 9th century to Robert the Strong. Ingelger and his son, Fulk the Red, were viscounts until Fulk assumed the t ...
, was bishop from 586 to 616. Berengarius, the heresiarch condemned for his doctrines on the
Holy Eucharist The Eucharist ( ; from , ), also called Holy Communion, the Blessed Sacrament or the Lord's Supper, is a Christian rite, considered a sacrament in most churches and an ordinance in others. Christians believe that the rite was instituted by J ...
, was Archdeacon of Angers about 1039, and for some time found a protector in the person of Eusebius Bruno, Bishop of Angers. Bernier, who played a great role in the wars of La Vendée and in the negotiations that led to the Concordat, was curé of St. Laud in Angers. Among the Bishops of Angers in modern times were: * Cardinal Jean Balue (1467) confined (1469–1480) by Louis XI, most of the time at Chinon, for his traitorous negotiations with
Charles the Bold Charles Martin (10 November 1433 – 5 January 1477), called the Bold, was the last duke of Burgundy from the House of Valois-Burgundy, ruling from 1467 to 1477. He was the only surviving legitimate son of Philip the Good and his third wife, ...
* Henri Arnauld (1649–1693), a
Jansenist Jansenism was a 17th- and 18th-century theological movement within Roman Catholicism, primarily active in France, which arose as an attempt to reconcile the theological concepts of free will and divine grace in response to certain development ...
, and author of the controversial catechism for the dioceses of Angers, La Rochelle and Luçon (1676). He also had published a large collection of the statutes of the diocese of Angers, from the 13th to the 17th century. * Charles-Émile Freppel (1870–1891), who had a seat in the Chamber of Deputies, and warmly defended Catholic interests. * François-Désiré Mathieu (1893–1896), cardinal of the Roman Curia and member of the
French Academy French may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France ** French people, a nation and ethnic group ** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices Arts and media * The French (band), ...
.


Diocesan synods

A diocesan synod was an irregularly held, but important, meeting of the bishop of a diocese and his clergy. Its purpose was (1) to proclaim generally the various decrees already issued by the bishop; (2) to discuss and ratify measures on which the bishop chose to consult with his clergy; (3) to publish statutes and decrees of the diocesan synod, of the provincial synod, and of the Holy See. John Paul II, Constitutio Apostolica ''de Synodis Dioecesanis Agendis'' (19 March 1997)
''Acta Apostolicae Sedis'' 89
(1997), pp. 706-727.
Bishop Nicolas Gellent (1260–1291) held diocesan synods, usually at Pentecost and/or the Feast of Saint Luke (October 18), in 1261, in 1262, in 1263, 1265, 1266, 1269, 1270, 1271, 1272, 1273, 1274, 1275, 1276, 1277, 1280, 1281, 1282, and 1291. Bishop Guillaume Le Maire (1291–1314) held synods in 1291, 1292, 1293, 1294, 1295, 1298, 1299, 1300, 1302, 1303, 1304, 1312, and 1314. Bishop Foulques de Mathefelon (1324–1355) held diocesan synods in 1326, 1327, and 1328. Bishop Jean Michel (1439–1447) held a diocesan synod at Pentecost 1442. Bishop Jean de Rely (1492–1499) presided at a diocesan synod in 1493. A diocesan synod was held in 1499, under the auspices of Bishop François de Rohan (1499–1532), but presided over by his vicar-general; another was held in 1503, and again in 1504, 1505, 1507, 1508, 1509, 1510, 1511, 1512, 1513, 1514, 1517, 1519, 1520, 1521, and 1523; another was held at Pentecost in 1524, but presided over by his suffragan (or coadjutor), Bishop Jean Rouault of Rheon; in 1525, 1526, 1527, and 1528. In 1533, 1534, 1535, 1536, 1537, and 1539, Bishop Jean Olivier (1532–1540) presided over a diocesan synod. Bishop Gabriel Bouvery (1540–1572) held synods in 1540, 1541, 1542, 1543, 1544, 1547, 1551, 1552, 1554, 1558, and 1564; in 1565, he held a diocesan synod, warning pastors to reside in their parishes and carry out their canonical duties. Bishop Guillaume Ruzé (1572–1587) held a diocesan synod at Pentecost 1586. Vicars of Bishop-elect Charles Miron (1588–1616) held a diocesan synod in 1588, since he was only 18 years old when appointed in 1598, and too young to be ordained a priest or bishop; other synods were held in 1589, in 1594 and in 1595, 1598 and 1600. The synod of 1600 was particularly vigorous, with 26 canons, calling for clerical residence in their benefices, rquiring preachers to warn against attending Protestant services, and demanding better education for the clergy. Other synods were held in 1601, in 1605, in 1606, in 1610, in 1612, in 1613, in 1614, and in 1615. Bishop Guillaume Fouquet (1616–1621) held a diocesan synod in 1617, and published extensive Statutes in French. Bishop Charles Miron (1622–1627) held a synod in October 1622. Two synods were held by Bishop Claude de Rueil (1628–1649), in 1634 and 1637. Bishop Henri Arnauld (1650–1692) held a diocesan synod at Pentecost 1651. On each occasion of a synod, an address by the bishop ("Exhortation") preceded the publication of the statutes. All Arnaud's publications were in French. Another took place at Pentecost 1652. On 20 May 1652, Arnaud issued a separate ordonnance, forbidding residents of the diocese to enter taverns on Sunday, or to visit taverns and public fêtes on holy days while church services were in progress. He held another synod at Pentecost 1653, and at Pentecost 1654, the latter having 32 statutes. On 12 June 1654, Bishop Arnaud published a decree forbidding dueling; his strong stand brought a letter of thanks and appreciation from King
Louis XIV LouisXIV (Louis-Dieudonné; 5 September 16381 September 1715), also known as Louis the Great () or the Sun King (), was King of France from 1643 until his death in 1715. His verified reign of 72 years and 110 days is the List of longest-reign ...
. Another synod was held at Pentecost 1655, producing 19 statutes, and another in 1656, and again in 1657 with 21 statutes. There was another synod at Pentecost 1658, in 1659, in 1660, in 1661, in 1662, in 1663 (which produced 7 statutes), in 1664, in 1665, in 1666, in 1667 (which produced 10 statutes), in 1668 (which produced 8 statutes), in 1669, in 1670 (which produced 2 statutes), in 1671, in 1672, in 1673, in 1674, in 1675, in 1676 (which produced 7 statutes), in 1677 (which produced 3 statutes), in 1678, and in 1679 (which produced 4 statutes). Having returned from Paris, where he subscribed to a declaration of the French hierarchy in favor of
Pope Clement XI Pope Clement XI (; ; ; 23 July 1649 – 19 March 1721), born Giovanni Francesco Albani, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 23 November 1700 to his death in March 1721. Clement XI was a patron of the arts an ...
's bull "Unigenitus", Bishop Michel Poncet de la Rivière (1706–1730) held a diocesan synod on 16 May 1714, in which he preached a powerful denunciation of Jansenism. He held another synod on 28 May 1721, in which he mourned the passing of Pope Clement XI, who was strongly anti-Jansenist. Bishop Jean de Vaugirault (1731–1758), who had been Vicar-General of Angers, shortly after his appointment in January 1731 held a synod in which he re-enacted all the legislation of his predecessors. He was vigorously anti-Jansenist. Bishop Guillaume-Laurent-Louis Angebault (1842–1869) held diocesan synods in Angers in 1859, on 24–26 September 1861, and in 1863. A provincial council, presided over by Archbishop Jean Bernardi of Tours, was held in Angers from 1–17 August 1448. It issued a set of 17 canons, mostly concerned with clerical discipline. Bishop Jean de Beauvau of Angers (1447–1467) was not present.


Royal rights

In 1516, following the papal loss of the
Battle of Marignano The Battle of Marignano, which took place on 13–14 September 1515, near the town now called Melegnano, 16 km southeast of Milan, was the last major engagement of the War of the League of Cambrai. It pitted the French army, composed of t ...
,
Pope Leo X Pope Leo X (; born Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici, 11 December 14751 December 1521) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 9 March 1513 to his death in December 1521. Born into the prominent political and banking Med ...
signed a
concordat A concordat () is a convention between the Holy See and a sovereign state that defines the relationship between the Catholic Church and the state in matters that concern both,René Metz, ''What is Canon Law?'' (New York: Hawthorn Books, 1960 ...
with King Francis I of France, removing the rights of all French entities which held the right to elect to a benefice, including bishoprics, canonicates, and abbeys, and granting the kings of France the right to nominate candidates to all these benefices, provided they be suitable persons, and subject to confirmation of the nomination by the pope. This removed the right of cathedral chapters to elect their bishop, or even to request the pope to name a bishop. The Concordat of Bologna was strongly protested by the University of Paris and by the Parliament of Paris. These benefices included all of the abbots and abbesses in the diocese of Angers.


Cathedral and churches

The earliest cathedral church in Angers is mentioned by Gregory of Tours. It burned in 473. A second church is associated with the name Dagobert or Pipin, which would seem to point to the 7th century. The second cathedral was in a ruinous state when Bishop Hubert de Vendôme (1006–1047), with the support of his parents, Vicount Hubert de Vendome and Emeline, rebuilt it; the third cathedral was dedicated on 16 August 1030. It had three naves, and two subsidiary naves. Less than two years later, on 27 September 1032, a major fire destroyed the city of Angers, including the cathedral, and, outside the walls, even destroyed most of the monastery of S. Aubin. The cathedral was rebuilt, though it did not get its stone vault until 1150. Bishop Ulger (1125–1148) built the façade. Between 1125 and 1170, most of the old windows were replaced with stained glass. The choir was built in the last quarter of the 12th century. The left transept belongs to the 2nd quarter of the 13th century. A hurricane brought down the north tower in 1192. The Cathedral of S. Maurice was administered and served by a corporation called the Chapter. It consisted of 8 dignities (the Dean, the Grand Archdeacon, the Cantor, the Treasurer, the Archdeacon Transligeranus, the Archdeacon Transmeduanensis, the Scholasticus, and the Poenitentiarius) and 30 canons. The kings of France held by right the first of the canonicates. Among the canons were the abbot of S. Sergius and the abbot of Omnes Sancti. The Dean was elected by the Chapter, and confirmed by the archbishop of Tours. In 1334, Archbishop Stephen of Tours freed the Chapter from episcopal jurisdiction; in 1468,
Pope Paul II Pope Paul II (; ; 23 February 1417 – 26 July 1471), born Pietro Barbo, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 30 August 1464 to his death in 1471. When his maternal uncle became Pope Eugene IV, Barbo switched fr ...
did likewise. In addition, there were seven collegiate churches inside the city of Angers, each served by a Chapter of canons: S. Jelianus, S. Laudus, S. Magnobodus, S. Martinus, S. Maurilius, S. Petrus, and Sanctissima Trinitas. There were twenty more collegiate churches elsewhere in the diocese. In the
Civil Constitution of the Clergy The Civil Constitution of the Clergy () was a law passed on 12 July 1790 during the French Revolution, that sought the Caesaropapism, complete control over the Catholic Church in France by the National Constituent Assembly (France), French gove ...
(1790), the National Constituent Assembly abolished cathedral chapters, canonicates, prebends, chapters and dignities of collegiate churches, chapters of both secular and regular clergy of both sexes, and abbeys and priories whether existing under a Rule or ''in commendam''. The cathedral of S. Mauritius was still under the control of the Catholic clergy until 20 March 1791, when it was taken over by the Constitutional clergy. The Constitutionals used the cathedral until 11 November 1793, when the Constitutional Church was abolished and the cathedral became the Temple of Reason. From 8 June 1794 until 4 August 1795, it was the Temple of the Supreme Being. The Constitutional Church was restored and used the cathedral until 28 April 1798, when it became the ''Temple décadaire'', a name which was employed until 8 August 1800, until the name was again changed, to ''Temple consecré aux fêtes nationales.'' In April 1802, Catholicism reclaimed its cathedral.


Seminary

Struck by the low quality of the formation of the clergy over which he had come to rule, Bishop Henri Arnaud, in 1651, ordered that all aspirants to ordination to the priesthood must undertake a ten-day retreat, under the direction of the Oratorian fathers. In 1658, two Angevin priests proposed to Bishop Arnaud the establishment of a house of the Community of Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet dedicated to the education of priests. In 1660, the bishop ordered that all clerics must spend three months in their community before being ordained subdeacons. In 1672, the seminary directors sought additional teachers in Paris, and obtained the services of two Sulpicians. The Sulpicians eventually became the faculty of the seminary. Joseph Grandet, a Sulpician, was appointed director in 1673, and in 1695 he negotiated the union of the seminary of Angers and the seminary of S. Sulpice In the 18th century, there were two sorts of seminarians, those destined for ordination, who did not attend the university; and those who were only pensioners (numbering about 75). During the French Revolution, in the struggle over the
Civil Constitution of the Clergy The Civil Constitution of the Clergy () was a law passed on 12 July 1790 during the French Revolution, that sought the Caesaropapism, complete control over the Catholic Church in France by the National Constituent Assembly (France), French gove ...
, non-juring priests were arrested and imprisoned in the seminary building, since the seminary itself had been closed by order of the government.


University of Angers

The cathedral school of Angers had a long history through the Middle Ages, under the direction of the Scholasticus of the cathedral Chapter. In the first half of the 11th century, it attracted Master Sigo, a student of
Fulbert of Chartres Fulbert of Chartres (; 952–970–10 April 1028) was the Bishop of Chartres from 1006 to 1028 and a teacher at the Cathedral school there. Fulbert may have been a pupil of Gerbert of Aurillac, who would later become Pope Sylvester II. He wa ...
(died 1028), who became abbot of Saint-Florent of Saumurs (1055-70). It also claimed Master Hilduin, another of Fulbert's pupils, who became Prior of Saint-Aubin in Angers and then, in 1033, Abbot of Saint-Nicolas. Nothing is known of the subjects being taught in the 11th century. It is possible that the prohibition against the teaching of civil law at Paris by
Pope Honorius III Pope Honorius III (c. 1150 – 18 March 1227), born Cencio Savelli, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 18 July 1216 to his death. A canon at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, he came to hold a number of importa ...
in 1219 stimulated its teaching at Angers, which is called a ''studium particulare''. In any event, the secession of masters and students from the University of Paris very likely brought both teachers and students of both civil and canon law to Angers. In 1244, a ''studium'' was founded at Angers for the teaching of canon and civil law. The Scholasticus of the cathedral school became the Grand Chancellor of the University. By the end of the 14th century, there were five officially recognized universities in France: Paris (1200), Toulouse (1229), Montpellier (1289), Orléans (1312), and Angers (1364). In 1432 Angers added faculties of theology, medicine and art. This university was divided into six "nations," and survived up to the time of the Revolution. In consequence of the law of 1875 giving liberty in the matter of higher education, the University of Angers was returned to private hands, and became a Catholic institution.


French Revolution

Formed from the
National Assembly In politics, a national assembly is either a unicameral legislature, the lower house of a bicameral legislature, or both houses of a bicameral legislature together. In the English language it generally means "an assembly composed of the repr ...
on 9 July 1789 during the first stages of the French Revolution, the National Constituent Assembly ordered the replacement of political subdivisions of the ''ancien régime'' with subdivisions called "departments", to be characterized by a single administrative city in the center of a compact area. The decree was passed on 22 December 1789, the boundaries fixed on 26 February 1790, with the institution to be effective on 4 March 1790. The territory of Angers was assigned to the Departement de Maine-et-Loire, in the Metropole du Nord-Ouest. The National Constituent Assembly then, on 6 February 1790, instructed its ecclesiastical committee to prepare a plan for the reorganization of the clergy. At the end of May, its work was presented as a draft
Civil Constitution of the Clergy The Civil Constitution of the Clergy () was a law passed on 12 July 1790 during the French Revolution, that sought the Caesaropapism, complete control over the Catholic Church in France by the National Constituent Assembly (France), French gove ...
, which, after vigorous debate, was approved on 12 July 1790. There was to be one diocese in each department, requiring the suppression of approximately fifty dioceses, and the massive redrawing of numerous diocesan boundaries. In 1791, Bishop Couët du Viviers de Lorry refused to take the oath to the Civil Constitution, and fled to Rouen. He withdrew from all activity and lived in a small house in the countryside near Evreux. On 6 Febnruary 1791, the departmental electors met in the cathedral of S. Maurice and elected Hugues Pelletier, Prior-curé of Beaufort as their constitutional bishop. On 29 November 1801, implementing the terms of the
concordat of 1801 The Concordat of 1801 was an agreement between the First French Republic and the Holy See, signed by First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte and Pope Pius VII on 15 July 1801 in Paris. It remained in effect until 1905, except in Alsace–Lorraine, ...
between the
French Consulate The Consulate () was the top-level government of the First French Republic from the fall of the French Directory, Directory in the coup of 18 Brumaire on 9 November 1799 until the start of the First French Empire, French Empire on 18 May 1804. ...
, headed by First Consul
Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone di Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French general and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led Military career ...
Bonaparte, and
Pope Pius VII Pope Pius VII (; born Barnaba Niccolò Maria Luigi Chiaramonti; 14 August 1742 – 20 August 1823) was head of the Catholic Church from 14 March 1800 to his death in August 1823. He ruled the Papal States from June 1800 to 17 May 1809 and again ...
, the bishopric of Angers and all the other dioceses were suppressed. This removed all the contaminations and novelties introduced by the Constitutiona Church. The pope then recreated the French ecclesiastical order, with the bull "Qui Christi Domini," respecting in most ways the changes introduced during the Revolution, including the reduction in the number of archdioceses and dioceses. Angers was restored as a suffragan diocese of the archdiocese of Tours.


Religious Orders

During the Middle Ages Angers was a flourishing city with six monasteries: the , founded by King
Childebert I Childebert I (  496 – 13 December 558) was a Frankish King of the Merovingian dynasty, as third of the four sons of Clovis I who shared the kingdom of the Franks upon their father's death in 511. He was one of the sons of Saint Clo ...
; the Abbey of St. Sergius by
Clovis II Clovis II (633 – 657) was King of the Franks in Neustria and Burgundy, having succeeded his father Dagobert I in 639. His brother Sigebert III had been King of Austrasia since 634. He was initially under the regency of his mother Nanth ...
; those of St. Julien, St. Nicholas and Ronceray, founded by Count Foulques Nerra, and All Saints' Abbey, an admirable structure of the twelfth century. In 1219
Pope Callixtus II Pope Callixtus II or Callistus II ( – 13 December 1124), born Guy of Burgundy, was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from February 1119 to his death in 1124. His pontificate was shaped by the Investiture Controversy ...
went in person to Angers where, on 7 September 1119, he consecrated the church of S. Maria Caritatis attached to Ronceray Abbey. The Diocese of Angers includes
Fontevrault The Royal Abbey of Our Lady of Fontevraud or Fontevrault (in French: ''abbaye de Fontevraud'') was a monastery in the village of Fontevraud-l'Abbaye, near Chinon, in the former French Duchy of Anjou. It was founded in 1101 by the itinerant preach ...
, an abbey founded at the close of the eleventh century by
Robert d'Arbrissel Robert of Arbrissel ( 1045 – 1116) was an itinerant preacher, and founder of Fontevraud Abbey. He was born at Arbrissel (near Retiers, Brittany) and died at Orsan Priory in the present department of Cher. Sources Robert's life is primarily ...
but which did not survive the Revolution. The ruins of St. Maur perpetuate the memory of the Benedictine abbey of that name. In all, the diocese once had 18 abbeys and 186 priories. The Jesuits were introduced into the diocese of Angers by the desire of King
Henri IV of France Henry IV (; 13 December 1553 – 14 May 1610), also known by the epithets Good King Henry (''le Bon Roi Henri'') or Henry the Great (''Henri le Grand''), was King of Navarre (as Henry III) from 1572 and King of France from 1589 to 16 ...
to establish a school (collège) in his palace at La Flèche, on the Loir River, 32 mi (52 km) north-east of Angers. He began the project in 1601, and the first Jesuits arrived at La Flèche on 2 January 1604. They were expelled from France in 1762, and the Society of Jesus was dissolved in 1773 by
Pope Clement XIV Pope Clement XIV (; ; 31 October 1705 – 22 September 1774), born Giovanni Vincenzo Antonio Ganganelli, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 19 May 1769 to his death in September 1774. At the time of his elec ...
. La Flèche became a military school, the Prytanée National Militaire. In 1783, in the diocese of Angers, there were establishments of male religious communities: Augustinians, Capuchins, Carmelites, Francisscans, Dominicans, Brothers of the Christian Schools, Minims, Lazarists, Oratorians, Recollets d'Angers, Recollets de la Baumette, and Sulpicians. The Brothers of the Christian Schools were established in Angers by Bishop Jean de Vaugirault (1731–1758) in 1741. The Carmelite nuns were installed in Angers on 18 January 1626, by Bishop Charles Miron of Angers and Bishop Philippe Cospéan of Nantes. They were driven out in September 1792. The Ursulines were installed in Angers on 1 June 1618. They were expelled on 30 September 1792, and returned to Angers in 1818, though they did not receive royal permission until 30 July 1826. The Daughters of Charity were established at Angers by Louise de Marillac personally in December 1639. During the French Revolution, the National Constituent Assembly attacked the institution of monasticism. On 13 February 1790, it issued a decree which stated that the government would no longer recognize solemn religious vows taken by either men or women. In consequence, Orders and Congregations which lived under a Rule were suppressed in France. Members of either sex were free to leave their monasteries or convents if they wished, and could claim an appropriate pension by applying to the local municipal authority.


Religious Orders after 1800

The Congregation of the Good Shepherd (Soeurs de Nôtre-Dame du Bon Pasteur d'Angers), which has houses in all parts of the world, has its mother-house at Angers, by virtue of the papal brief "Cum christianae" of
Pope Gregory XVI Pope Gregory XVI (; ; born Bartolomeo Alberto Cappellari; 18 September 1765 – 1 June 1846) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 2 February 1831 to his death in June 1846. He had adopted the name Mauro upon enteri ...
of 3 April 1835. In 1839, Bishop Charles Montault (1802–1839) recalled the Jesuits to Angers. The Carmelite nuns returned in December 1850. Bishop Guillaume Angebault (1842–1869) invited the Capuchins to return in 1858; and in 1860 the
Lazarists The Congregation of the Mission (), abbreviated CM and commonly called the Vincentians or Lazarists, is a Catholic society of apostolic life of pontifical right for men founded by Vincent de Paul. It is associated with the Vincentian Family, ...
and the Oblates of Mary. In 1862, the Pères du Saint-Sacrement were restored.


Bishops


To 1000

* Defensor (attested 372) * Apotemius (Epetemius) (attested 396) * Maurilius (c.423-453) * Thalassius (attested 453–462) * Eustochius (attested 511) * Adelfius *
Albinus of Angers Saint Albinus of Angers (; c. 470 – March 1, 550), also known as Saint Albin () in English, was a French abbot and bishop. Born to a noble Gallo-Roman family at Vannes, Brittany, St. Albinus was a monk and from 504 A.D. Abbot of Tintillac (wh ...
(attested 538–549) * Eutropius (attested 551) * Domitianus (attested 557–568) * Audoveus (attested 581) *
Licinius Valerius Licinianus Licinius (; Ancient Greek, Greek: Λικίνιος; c. 265 – 325) was Roman emperor from 308 to 324. For most of his reign, he was the colleague and rival of Constantine I, with whom he co-authored the Edict of Milan that ...
(attested 601) * Magnobodus (610–660) * Aiglibertus (attested 683) ::... * Mauriolus (attested 760–772) ::... * Benedictus (attested 816) * Flodegarius (attested 829) ::... * Dodo (attested 837–880) * Raino (880–after 905) * Rothard (910 ?) * Rainaldus (920) * Hervaeus (attested 929) * Aimo (943–966)? * Nefingus (966–973) * Rainaldus (973–1005)


1000 to 1300

* Hubert de Vendôme (1006–1047) * Eusebius Bruno (1047–1081) * Gottfried of Tours (1081–1093) * Gottfried of Mayenne (1093–1101) * Renaud de Martigné (1102–1125) * Ulger (1125–1148) * Normand de Doué (1148–1153) * Mathieu de Loudun (1156–1162) * Geoffroy La Mouche (1162–1177) * Raoul de Beaumont (1177–1197) * Guillaume de Chemillé (1197–1202) * Guillaume de Beaumont (1203–1240) * Michel Villoiseau (1240–1260) * Nicolas Gellant (1260–1291) * Guillaume Le Maire (1291–1314)


1300 to 1500

* Hugues Odard (1317–1323) * Foulques de Mathefelon (1324–1355) * Raoul de Machecoul (1356–1358) * Guillaume Turpin de Cressé (1358–1371) * Milon de Dormans (1371–1373) * Hardouin de Bueil (1374–1439) :
Guillaume d'Estouteville Guillaume d'Estouteville (c. 1412–1483) was a French aristocrat of royal blood who became a leading bishop (Catholic Church), bishop and cardinal (Catholic Church), cardinal. He held a number of Church offices simultaneously. He conducted th ...
(1439) * Jean Michel (1439–1447) * Jean de Beauvau (1447–1467) *
Jean Balue Jean Balue (5 October 1491) was a French cardinal and minister of Louis XI. Born without resources, he managed to climb the political ladder by exploiting connections, to whom he often did not remain loyal, and by making himself an indispensable ...
(1467–1476) :: Jean de Beauvau (1476–1479) (administrator) :: Auger de Brie (1479–1480) (administrator) *
Jean Balue Jean Balue (5 October 1491) was a French cardinal and minister of Louis XI. Born without resources, he managed to climb the political ladder by exploiting connections, to whom he often did not remain loyal, and by making himself an indispensable ...
(1480–1491) * Carlo Carretto (1491–1492) ''Administrator'' * Jean de Rely (1492–1499) :*Richard de Boys (1492–1506), ''Coadjutor''


1500 to 1800

* François de Rohan (1499–1532) ''Administrator'' :* Olivier Le Presteur (1506–1550?) ''Coadjutor'' :* Jean Lambert (1518– ? ) ''Coadjutor'' :* Jean Censier (1519– ? ) ''Coadjutor'' * Jean Olivier (1532–1540) :* Mathurin Legay (1538–1542) ''Coadjutor'' * Gabriel Bouvery (1540–1572) :* Guy Grégoire, O.Cist. (1542–1558) ''Coadjutor'' ;* Pierre de Ragane (1560–1595?) ''Coadjutor'' * Guillaume Ruzé (1572–1587) * Charles Miron (1588–1616) * Guillaume Fouquet de la Varenne (1616–1621) * Charles Miron (1622–1627) * Claude de Rueil (1628–1649) * Henri Arnauld (1650–1692) * Michel Le Peletier (1692–1706) *
Michel Poncet de la Rivière Michel may refer to: * Michel (name), a given name or surname of French origin (and list of people with the name) * Míchel (nickname), a nickname (a list of people with the nickname, mainly Spanish footballers) * Míchel (footballer, born 1963), ...
(1706–1730) * Jean de Vaugirault (1731–1758) * Jacques de Grasse (1758–1782) * Michel-François Couët du Viviers de Lorry (1782–1802) ;Constitutional Church (schismatic) * Hugues Pelletier (1791–1793)


From 1800

* Charles Montault des Isles (1802–1839) * Louis-Robert Paysant (1839–1841) * Guillaume-Laurent-Louis Angebault (1842–1869) * Charles-Emile Freppel (1869–1891) * François-Désiré Mathieu (1893–1896) * Louis-Jules Baron (1896–1898) * Joseph Rumeau (1898–1940) * Jean-Camille Costes (1940–1950) * Henri-Alexandre Chappoulie (1950–1959) * Pierre Veuillot (1959–1961) * Henri-Louis-Marie Mazerat (1961–1974) * Jean Pierre Marie Orchampt (1974–2000) * Jean-Louis Bruguès, O.P. (2000–2007) *
Emmanuel Delmas Immanuel or Emmanuel (, "God swith us"; Koine Greek: ) is a Hebrew name that appears in the Book of Isaiah (7:14) as a sign that God will protect the House of David. The Gospel of Matthew ( Matthew 1:22 –23) interprets this as a prophecy of ...
(since 2008) ( fr)


See also

*
Catholic Church in France The Catholic Church in France, Gallican Church, or French Catholic Church, is part of the worldwide Catholic Church in communion with the Pope in Rome. Established in the 2nd century in unbroken communion with the bishop of Rome, it was sometim ...
*
List of Catholic dioceses in France The Catholic Church in France mainly comprises a Metropolitan Latin Church hierarchy, joint in a national episcopal conference, consisting of * fifteen ecclesiastical provinces, each under a Metropolitan Archdiocese (15) ** with a total of 80 suf ...


References

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Bibliography


Reference works

* (Use with caution; obsolete) * * * * * * * * *


Studies

* Besse, J.-M. (1920). "Diocese d'Angers," in: Dom Beaunier (ed.), ''Abbayes et prieures de l'ancienne France: recueil historique des archevêchés, évêchés, abbayes et prieurés de France,'' , Volume 8 (Paris: A. Picard, 1920)
pp. 57-126
* Bourgain, Louis (1898)
''L'église d'Angers pendant la révolution et jusqu'en 1870: conférences faites aux facultés catholiques d'Angers''
. Paris: Germain & Grassin, 1898. * *Duchesne, Loui
''Fastes épiscopaux de l'ancienne Gaule: Vol. II: L'Aquitaine et les Lyonnaises''
. deuxième edition. Paris: Thorin & fils, 1899. pp. 343-356.
Internet Archive
*Farcy, Louis de; Pinier, P. (1903)
''Le Palais épiscopal d'Angers: Histoire et description.''
. Angers: Germain et Grassin, 1903. * * * * Letourneau, Georges (1895)
''Histoire du séminaire d'Angers: Depuis son union avec Saint-Sulpice en 1695 jusqu'a nos jours.''
. Angers: Germain & G. Grassin, 1895. *Matz, Jean-Michel – Comte, François (ed.) (2003): ''Fasti Ecclesiae Gallicanae. Répertoire prosopographique des évêques, dignitaires et chanoines des diocèses de France de 1200 à 1500. VII. Diocèse d’Angers''. Turnhout, Brepols. * * Rangeard, Pierre (1872). ed. Albert Jean Baptiste Lemarchand. ''Histoire de l'université d'Angers'',
Volume 1
(Angers: E Barassé, 1872). * Tresvaux du Fraval, François Marie (1858), ''Histoire de l‛Église et du Diocèse d‛Angers''.
Volume 1.Volume 2.
Paris: Jacques Lecoffre et Cie., Cosnier et Lachèse, 1858. * Uzureau, François Constant (1904)
''Pouillé du diocèse d'Angers''
. Angers: Lachèse & cie, 1904 eprint of ed. of 1783 * Uzureau, François Constant (1919). ''Andegaviana''
Volume 21.Volume 22.
(index p. 411). Angers: 1919.


External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Angers, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Roman Catholic dioceses in France cs:Seznam biskupů v Angers de:Liste der Bischöfe von Angers fr:Liste des évêques d'Angers