Roman Catholic Diocese of La Rochelle
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Diocese of La Rochelle, is a diocese
of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic church
, in France. The diocese comprises the département of Charente-Maritime
. Suffragan
to the archdiocese of Bordeaux
, the episcopal see is La Rochelle Cathedral
.
The diocese of Maillezais
was transferred on 7 May, 1648, to La Rochelle. This diocese before the French Revolution
, aside from Maillezais, included the present arrondissements of Marennes
, Rochefort
, La Rochelle
, and a part of Saint-Jean-d'Angély
. At the Concordat, the entire territory of the former diocese of Saintes
, less the part comprised in Charente
, and belonging to the diocese of Angoulême) and of the diocese of Luçon was added to it.
In 1821 a see was established at Luçon
, and had under its jurisdiction, aside from the former Diocese of Luçon, almost the entire former Diocese of Maillezais; so that Maillezais, once transferred to La Rochelle, no longer belongs to the diocese, now known as La Rochelle et Saintes.
, a well-known religious writer, occupied this see from 1856 to 1867. St. Louis of France
is the titular saint of the cathedral of La Rochelle and the patron of the city. St. Eutropius
, first Bishop of Saintes, is the principal patron of the present diocese of La Rochelle. In this diocese are especially honoured: St. Gemme, martyr (century unknown); St. Seronius, martyr (third century); St. Martin, Abbot of the Saintes monastery (fifth century); St. Vaise, martyr about 500; St. Maclovius (Malo), first Bishop of Aleth
, Brittany, who died in Saintonge
about 570; Saint Amand
, Bishop of Maastricht (seventh century).
From 1534 La Rochelle and the Province of Aunis were a centre of Calvinism
. In 1573 the city successfully resisted the Duke of Anjou, brother of Charles IX of France
, and remained the chief fortress of the Huguenot
s in France. But in 1627 the alliance of La Rochelle with the English proved to Louis XIII
and to Richelieu that the political independence of the Protestants would be a menace to France; the famous siege of La Rochelle
(5 August, 1627-28 October, 1628), in the course of which the population was reduced from 18,000 inhabitants to 5000, terminated with a capitulation which put an end to the political claims of the Calvinistic minority.
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, in France. The diocese comprises the département of Charente-Maritime
Charente-Maritime
Charente-Maritime is a department on the west coast of France named after the Charente River.- History :Previously a part of Saintonge, Charente-Inférieure was one of the 83 original departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790...
. Suffragan
Suffragan bishop
A suffragan bishop is a bishop subordinate to a metropolitan bishop or diocesan bishop. He or she may be assigned to an area which does not have a cathedral of its own.-Anglican Communion:...
to the archdiocese of Bordeaux
Archbishopric of Bordeaux
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bordeaux, the full name of which since 20 November 1937 has been the Archdiocese of Bordeaux-Bazas, is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic church in France. The episcopal seat is located in Bordeaux, Aquitaine...
, the episcopal see is La Rochelle Cathedral
La Rochelle Cathedral
La Rochelle Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral, and a national monument of France since 1906, located in the town of La Rochelle.-Present cathedral:...
.
The diocese of Maillezais
Ancient Diocese of Maillezais
The former Catholic diocese of Maillezais in north-west France was erected in 1317, by Pope John XXII. Maillezais is now found in the department of Vendée.-History:...
was transferred on 7 May, 1648, to La Rochelle. This diocese before the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, aside from Maillezais, included the present arrondissements of Marennes
Marennes, Charente-Maritime
Marennes is a commune in the Charente-Maritime department in southwestern France.For a long time it was one of the most prosperous cities of the Saintonge due to its location in the middle of the salt-water marshes at a time where salt was a valuable commodity.Marennes is a center for oyster...
, Rochefort
Rochefort, Charente-Maritime
Rochefort is a commune in southwestern France, a port on the Charente estuary. It is a sub-prefecture of the Charente-Maritime department.-History:...
, La Rochelle
La Rochelle
La Rochelle is a city in western France and a seaport on the Bay of Biscay, a part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Charente-Maritime department.The city is connected to the Île de Ré by a bridge completed on 19 May 1988...
, and a part of Saint-Jean-d'Angély
Saint-Jean-d'Angély
Saint-Jean-d'Angély is a commune in the Charente-Maritime department in southwestern France.The commune has its historical origins in the Abbey of Saint-Jean-d'Angély.-Royal abbey:...
. At the Concordat, the entire territory of the former diocese of Saintes
Ancient Diocese of Saintes
The former French diocese of Saintes existed from the sixth century, to the French Revolution. Its see was at Saintes in western France, in the modern department of Charente-Maritime. After the Concordat of 1801, its territory passed mainly to the diocese of La Rochelle.-History:Saintes has...
, less the part comprised in Charente
Charente
Charente is a department in southwestern France, in the Poitou-Charentes region, named after the Charente River, the most important river in the department, and also the river beside which the department's two largest towns, Angoulême and Cognac, are sited.-History:Charente is one of the original...
, and belonging to the diocese of Angoulême) and of the diocese of Luçon was added to it.
In 1821 a see was established at Luçon
Luçon
Luçon is a commune in the Vendée department in the Pays de la Loire region in western France.It is the seat of the Diocese of Luçon and Luçon Cathedral.-References:*...
, and had under its jurisdiction, aside from the former Diocese of Luçon, almost the entire former Diocese of Maillezais; so that Maillezais, once transferred to La Rochelle, no longer belongs to the diocese, now known as La Rochelle et Saintes.
History
Jean-François-Anne LandriotJean-François-Anne Landriot
Jean-François-Anne Landriot was a French bishop, Ordained in 1839 from the seminary of Autun, he became, after a few years spent at the cathedral, successively superior of the seminary, 1842; vicar-general 1850; Bishop of La Rochelle, 1856, and Archbishop of Reims, 1867.-Life:During his ten years...
, a well-known religious writer, occupied this see from 1856 to 1867. St. Louis of France
Louis IX of France
Louis IX , commonly Saint Louis, was King of France from 1226 until his death. He was also styled Louis II, Count of Artois from 1226 to 1237. Born at Poissy, near Paris, he was an eighth-generation descendant of Hugh Capet, and thus a member of the House of Capet, and the son of Louis VIII and...
is the titular saint of the cathedral of La Rochelle and the patron of the city. St. Eutropius
Eutropius of Saintes
Saint Eutropius of Saintes is venerated as the first bishop of Saintes, France. According to tradition, he was a Roman or a Persian of royal descent who was sent to evangelize Gaul either by Saint Clement in the 1st century or by Pope Fabian in the 250s as a companion of Saint Denis.He lived as a...
, first Bishop of Saintes, is the principal patron of the present diocese of La Rochelle. In this diocese are especially honoured: St. Gemme, martyr (century unknown); St. Seronius, martyr (third century); St. Martin, Abbot of the Saintes monastery (fifth century); St. Vaise, martyr about 500; St. Maclovius (Malo), first Bishop of Aleth
Ancient Diocese of Saint-Malo
The former Breton and French Catholic diocese of Saint-Malo existed from at least the seventh century until the French Revolution. Its see was at Aleth, to a point in the twelfth century, when it moved to Saint-Malo. Its territory extended over some of the modern departments of Ille-et-Vilaine,...
, Brittany, who died in Saintonge
Saintonge
Saintonge is a small region on the Atlantic coast of France within the département Charente-Maritime, west and south of Charente in the administrative region of Poitou-Charentes....
about 570; Saint Amand
Saint Amand
Saint Amand or Amandus was a French Christian saint, one of the great Christian Saints of Flanders.-Biography:...
, Bishop of Maastricht (seventh century).
From 1534 La Rochelle and the Province of Aunis were a centre of Calvinism
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
. In 1573 the city successfully resisted the Duke of Anjou, brother of Charles IX of France
Charles IX of France
Charles IX was King of France, ruling from 1560 until his death. His reign was dominated by the Wars of Religion. He is best known as king at the time of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.-Childhood:...
, and remained the chief fortress of the Huguenot
Huguenot
The Huguenots were members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France during the 16th and 17th centuries. Since the 17th century, people who formerly would have been called Huguenots have instead simply been called French Protestants, a title suggested by their German co-religionists, the...
s in France. But in 1627 the alliance of La Rochelle with the English proved to Louis XIII
Louis XIII of France
Louis XIII was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and of Navarre from 1610 to 1643.Louis was only eight years old when he succeeded his father. His mother, Marie de Medici, acted as regent during Louis' minority...
and to Richelieu that the political independence of the Protestants would be a menace to France; the famous siege of La Rochelle
Siege of La Rochelle
The Siege of La Rochelle was a result of a war between the French royal forces of Louis XIII of France and the Huguenots of La Rochelle in 1627-1628...
(5 August, 1627-28 October, 1628), in the course of which the population was reduced from 18,000 inhabitants to 5000, terminated with a capitulation which put an end to the political claims of the Calvinistic minority.
Bishops
- 1648–1661 Jacques Raoul de la Guibourgère
- 1661–1693 Henri de Laval de Boisdauphin
- 1693–1702 Charles-Madeleine Frézeau de Frézelière
- 1702–1724 Etienne de Champflour
- 1725–1729 Jean-Antoine de Brancas
- 1730–1767 Augustin Roch de Menou de Charnisai
- 1768–1789 François-Emmanuel de Crussol d'Uzès
- 1789–1801 (1816) Jean-Charles de Coucy
- 9. April to 20. November 1802 Michel-François Couët du Vivier de Lorry
- 1802–1804 Jean-François Demandolx (also bishop of Amiens)
- 1804–1826 Gabriel-Laurent Paillou(x)
- 1827–1835 Joseph Bernet (also archbishop of Aix)
- 1835–1855 Clément Villecourt
- 1856–1866 Jean-François Landriot (also archbishop of ReimsArchbishop of ReimsThe Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Reims is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in France. Erected as a diocese around 250 by St. Sixtus, the diocese was elevated to an archdiocese around 750...
) - 1867–1883 Léon-Benoit-Charles Thomas (also archbishop of RouenArchbishop of RouenThe Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Rouen is an Archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in France. As one of the fifteen Archbishops of France, the ecclesiastical province of the archdiocese comprises the majority of Normandy....
) - 1884–1892 Etienne Ardin (also archbishop of Sens))
- 1892–1901 François-Joseph-Edwin Bonnefoy (also archbishop of Aix))
- 1901–1906 Emile-Paul-Angel-Constant Le Camus
- 1906–1923 Jean-Auguste-François-Eutrope Eyssautier
- 1923–1937 Eugène Curien
- 1938–1955 Louis Liagre
- 1955–1963 Xavier Morilleau
- 1963–1979 Félix-Marie-Honoré Verdet
- 1979–1983 François-Marie-Christian Favreau
- 1985–1996 Jacques Louis Antoine Marie David
- 1996–2006 Georges Paul Pontier (also archbishop of Marseille))
- 2006–present Bernard Housset