Henri Pinault
Encyclopedia
Henri-Marie-Ernest-Désiré Pinault (September 7, 1904 – February 24, 1987) was the Roman Catholic bishop of Chengdu
from 1949 until 1983, four years before his death.
deanery
in Trévérien
commune
, Ille-et-Vilaine
department in Brittany
in northwestern France
. In 1905 the Pinault family settled on a farm in Évran
commune in the Côtes du Nord
department of Brittany. Pinault had his primary school studies in Évran and his secondary schooling at the Cordeliers in Dinan
. The Pinaults were devout Roman Catholics and Henri had an uncle who was a priest in the diocese of St. Brieuc
and a cousin who was a priest in the diocese of Rennes
. In 1922 Pinault was ordained as a priest and on June 29, 1929 he received his ordination
as a Priest of La Société des Missions Etrangères.
to Chengdu
, China
. When he first arrived in China the country was in turmoil. After spending several months in Chengdu, he was sent to Bazhou
to undergo language training. Father Pinault took the Chinese name Pengdaochuan. The city was captured on February 23, 1933 by forces of the Communist Party of China
and clergymen and Christians were forced to flee. Father Pinault found refuge with Benedict
monks in Chongqing
. In 1934 Father Pinault was appointed Supérieur du Probatorium at Hebachang
, where he organized a hospice in 1942. In 1945 Father Pinault departed from Hebachang and replaced the deceased pastor at Tsong-Kin-Tcheou.
On July 14, 1949, Pinalut was appointed to replace the late Jacques-Victor-Marius Rouchouse
as Bishop of Chengdu, the highest post in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chengdu
in the Ecclesiastical province
of Chongqing
; Bishop Pinault received his episcopal ordination on September 21, 1949. Only two months later, on December 28, 1949, the city of Chengdu was captured by communist forces. In order to protect his fellow clergy
members, Bishop Pinault took personal responsibility for the ownership of all church property. This act placed him at risk as Communist Party administrators placed heavy taxes on religious properties and imprisoned clergy members. Officials ruled that Bishop Pinault was unable to pay his “debts” and threw him in prison in early 1952, where he underwent repeated interrogations. Finally, Bishop Pinault was expelled from China, leaving Chengdu on March 29, 1952 and arriving in Hong Kong
on April 14. Bishop Pinault arrived in Marseilles on June 30 and shortly after visited his mother in Évran. After his departure from China, Pinault retained the title of Bishop of Chengdu, which he would hold until 1983.
in the French Air Force
in North Africa
. On December 29, 1953 Bishop Pinault returned to France and spent time at Voreppe
before relocating to Paris
, where he works with la Mission bretonne and the ministère épiscopal de Confirmations et d'Ordinations. Bishop Pinault took part in the Second Vatican Council
in Rome
from 1962-1965. On his return from Rome, Bishop Pinault retired to Évran, where he lived with his mother, who died in 1975, and served neighboring parishes
.
In June 1980, Bishop Pinault celebrated Eucharist
in Lisieux
with Pope John Paul II
during the Pope’s pilgrimage. In 1983, Pinault retired from his position as Bishop of Chengdu and became Bishop Emeritus of Chengdu;
the position of Bishop of Chengdu was left vacant. In December 1986 Bishop Pinault was hospitalized at Rennes
with arteritis
and underwent several surgeries. Bishop Pinault returned home to Évran on February 23, but at 6:00 p.m. on February 24, 1987 he died. He is buried next to his mother in a small cemetery in Évran.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Chengdu
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Chengdu/Chengtu , diocese located in the city of Chengdu in the Ecclesiastical province of Chongqing in China. The Diocese, based in Chengdu, covers 4 cities and 37 districts and counties, in an area of 54,900 square kilometers. The Immaculate Conception Church is...
from 1949 until 1983, four years before his death.
Early life
Pinault was born in 1904 into a family of farmers in TinténiacTinténiac
Tinténiac is a commune in the Ille-et-Vilaine department in Brittany in north-western France.-Demographics:Inhabitants of Tinténiac are called Tinténiacais.-References:* ;* -External links:*...
deanery
Deanery
A Deanery is an ecclesiastical entity in both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England. A deanery is either the jurisdiction or residence of a Dean.- Catholic usage :...
in Trévérien
Trévérien
Trévérien is a commune in the Ille-et-Vilaine department in Bretagne in north-western France.-Demographics:Inhabitants of Trévérien are called Trévérienais.-Notable people linked with Trévérien:...
commune
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
, Ille-et-Vilaine
Ille-et-Vilaine
Ille-et-Vilaine is a department of France, located in the region of Brittany in the northwest of the country.- History :Ille-et-Vilaine is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
department in Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
in northwestern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. In 1905 the Pinault family settled on a farm in Évran
Évran
Évran is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in the region of Brittany in northwestern France.-Population:The inhabitants of Évran are known in French as évrannais.-External links:*...
commune in the Côtes du Nord
Côtes-d'Armor
Côtes-d'Armor is a department in the north of Brittany, in northwestern France.-History:Côtes-du-Nord was one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790. It was created from part of the former province of Brittany. Its name was changed in 1990 to...
department of Brittany. Pinault had his primary school studies in Évran and his secondary schooling at the Cordeliers in Dinan
Dinan
Dinan is a walled Breton town and a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in northwestern France.-Geography:Its geographical setting is exceptional. Instead of nestling on the valley floor like Morlaix, most urban development has been on the hillside, overlooking the river Rance...
. The Pinaults were devout Roman Catholics and Henri had an uncle who was a priest in the diocese of St. Brieuc
Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint-Brieuc
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint-Brieuc, is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic church in France. The diocese comprises the department of Côtes du Armor in the Region of Brittany. The diocese is currently suffragan to the Archdiocese of Rennes...
and a cousin who was a priest in the diocese of Rennes
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Rennes
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Rennes is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic church in France. The diocese is coextensive with the department of Ille et Vilaine...
. In 1922 Pinault was ordained as a priest and on June 29, 1929 he received his ordination
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
as a Priest of La Société des Missions Etrangères.
Years in China
On September 15, 1929 Father Pinault embarked on his missionMissionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
to Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. When he first arrived in China the country was in turmoil. After spending several months in Chengdu, he was sent to Bazhou
Bazhou
Bazhou is a city in Hebei province, China. It is under the jurisdiction of Langfang prefecture-level city. As of 2002, it had a population of over 132,000.-Administrative Divisions:Towns:...
to undergo language training. Father Pinault took the Chinese name Pengdaochuan. The city was captured on February 23, 1933 by forces of the Communist Party of China
Communist Party of China
The Communist Party of China , also known as the Chinese Communist Party , is the founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China...
and clergymen and Christians were forced to flee. Father Pinault found refuge with Benedict
Order of Saint Benedict
The Order of Saint Benedict is a Roman Catholic religious order of independent monastic communities that observe the Rule of St. Benedict. Within the order, each individual community maintains its own autonomy, while the organization as a whole exists to represent their mutual interests...
monks in Chongqing
Chongqing
Chongqing is a major city in Southwest China and one of the five national central cities of China. Administratively, it is one of the PRC's four direct-controlled municipalities , and the only such municipality in inland China.The municipality was created on 14 March 1997, succeeding the...
. In 1934 Father Pinault was appointed Supérieur du Probatorium at Hebachang
Hebachang
Hebachang is a township located in Deyang prefecture, Sichuan province in China....
, where he organized a hospice in 1942. In 1945 Father Pinault departed from Hebachang and replaced the deceased pastor at Tsong-Kin-Tcheou.
Jacques-Victor-Marius Rouchouse
Bishop Jacques-Victor-Marius Rouchouse was the first Roman Catholic bishop of Chengdu, a post he held from 1946 until his death in 1948....
as Bishop of Chengdu, the highest post in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chengdu
Roman Catholic Diocese of Chengdu
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Chengdu/Chengtu , diocese located in the city of Chengdu in the Ecclesiastical province of Chongqing in China. The Diocese, based in Chengdu, covers 4 cities and 37 districts and counties, in an area of 54,900 square kilometers. The Immaculate Conception Church is...
in the Ecclesiastical province
Ecclesiastical Province
An ecclesiastical province is a large jurisdiction of religious government, so named by analogy with a secular province, existing in certain hierarchical Christian churches, especially in the Catholic Church and Orthodox Churches and in the Anglican Communion...
of Chongqing
Chongqing
Chongqing is a major city in Southwest China and one of the five national central cities of China. Administratively, it is one of the PRC's four direct-controlled municipalities , and the only such municipality in inland China.The municipality was created on 14 March 1997, succeeding the...
; Bishop Pinault received his episcopal ordination on September 21, 1949. Only two months later, on December 28, 1949, the city of Chengdu was captured by communist forces. In order to protect his fellow clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
members, Bishop Pinault took personal responsibility for the ownership of all church property. This act placed him at risk as Communist Party administrators placed heavy taxes on religious properties and imprisoned clergy members. Officials ruled that Bishop Pinault was unable to pay his “debts” and threw him in prison in early 1952, where he underwent repeated interrogations. Finally, Bishop Pinault was expelled from China, leaving Chengdu on March 29, 1952 and arriving in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
on April 14. Bishop Pinault arrived in Marseilles on June 30 and shortly after visited his mother in Évran. After his departure from China, Pinault retained the title of Bishop of Chengdu, which he would hold until 1983.
Later life and death
Shortly after his arrival in France, Bishop Pinault accepted an assignment as a military chaplainChaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
in the French Air Force
French Air Force
The French Air Force , literally Army of the Air) is the air force of the French Armed Forces. It was formed in 1909 as the Service Aéronautique, a service arm of the French Army, then was made an independent military arm in 1933...
in North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
. On December 29, 1953 Bishop Pinault returned to France and spent time at Voreppe
Voreppe
Voreppe is a commune in the Isère department in south-eastern France....
before relocating to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, where he works with la Mission bretonne and the ministère épiscopal de Confirmations et d'Ordinations. Bishop Pinault took part in the Second Vatican Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
from 1962-1965. On his return from Rome, Bishop Pinault retired to Évran, where he lived with his mother, who died in 1975, and served neighboring parishes
Parish (Catholic Church)
In the Roman Catholic Church, a parish is the lowest ecclesiastical geographical subdivision: from ecclesiastical province to diocese to deanery to parish.-Requirements:A parish needs two things under common law to become a parish...
.
In June 1980, Bishop Pinault celebrated Eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
in Lisieux
Lisieux
Lisieux is a commune in the Calvados department in the Basse-Normandie region in northwestern France.Lisieux is the capital of the Pays d'Auge area, which is characterised by valleys and hedged farmland...
with Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
during the Pope’s pilgrimage. In 1983, Pinault retired from his position as Bishop of Chengdu and became Bishop Emeritus of Chengdu;
the position of Bishop of Chengdu was left vacant. In December 1986 Bishop Pinault was hospitalized at Rennes
Rennes
Rennes is a city in the east of Brittany in northwestern France. Rennes is the capital of the region of Brittany, as well as the Ille-et-Vilaine department.-History:...
with arteritis
Arteritis
Arteritis is inflammation of the walls of arteries, usually as a result of infection or auto-immune response.-Types:Some disorders have arteritis as their main feature...
and underwent several surgeries. Bishop Pinault returned home to Évran on February 23, but at 6:00 p.m. on February 24, 1987 he died. He is buried next to his mother in a small cemetery in Évran.