Fathers, Pastors and Kings: Visions of Episcopacy in Seventeenth-century FranceThis book explores how the conceptions of episcopacy shaped the identity of the bishops of France in the wake of the reforming Council of Trent (1545-63). It demonstrates how the episcopate, initially demoralized by the Wars of Religion, developed a powerful ideology of privilege, leadership and pastorate that enabled it to become a flourishing participant in the religious, political and social life of the ancien régime. Arguing that the traditional images portrayed by Trent and prelates such as Charles Borromeo of Milan did not offer a comprehensive model of episcopal spirituality, government and pastoral care, the study examines the distinctive images of episcopacy that were developed by French reformers and theologians to respond to the specific demands of ecclesiastical leadership and reform in seventeenth-century France. It then assesses the ways in which an increasingly assertive episcopate put these ideals into practice, and explains that the bishops' tempestuous relations with the religious orders, the Jansenists, the papacy and the Bourbon monarchy were profoundly shaped by their gallican, conciliarist and independent views of episcopal duties and prerogatives. This is the first publication to analyse the attitudes of Tridentine bishops towards their office by considering the French episcopate as a recognisable caste, possessing a variety of theological and political principles that allowed it to dominate the French church. It will be indispensable to those interested in the culture of early modern catholicism and the ancien régime. |
Contents
French clerical reformers | 50 |
Lower clergy versus bishops | 74 |
Ecclesiastical monarchy or monarchies? | 109 |
An uneasy alliance | 144 |
mirrors of French ideals? | 171 |
Other editions - View all
Fathers, Pastors and Kings: Visions of Episcopacy in Seventeenth-century France Alison Forrestal No preview available - 2004 |
Common terms and phrases
administration Antoine Godeau archbishop archévesque Arnauld Assembly Assembly's Barthélemy Bergin Bérulle bish Blet Borromean Borromée Bossuet canonical cardinal Catholic Caulet Charles Borromeo Christ claim clergé de France clergy Condren contemporary Council of Trent crown curés decrees defend dignity diocesan dioceses discipline doctrine ecclesiastical hierarchy ensure epis episcopacy episcopal episcopal authority episcopal jurisdiction episcopal office episcopate's Étienne Eudes évêque Évesques faithful Fénelon François de Sales François de Sourdis French bishops French church French episcopate gallican Ibid ideal Jansenist Jansenist bishops Jean Jean Eudes Jean-Jacques Olier Jean-Pierre Camus Jesus judgement l'église l'evesque letter Louis lower clergy monarchie monseigneur Morestel Nicolas Noulleau Oeuvres Olier Pamiers papacy papal parish particular pastoral Paul Pavillon Pierre Pierre de Bérulle pope preaching prelates priesthood priests privileges provincial councils reform régale regulars religious Richelieu Rochefoucauld role Rome sacrament Saint Saint-Cyran secular seventeenth century Solminihac Sourdis spiritual synods theology tion Tridentine Venard vocation vols Paris
References to this book
Theatrum Mundi: Studies in Honor of Ronald W. Tobin Claire L. Carlin,Kathleen Wine Limited preview - 2003 |