Roman Catholic Diocese of Viviers
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Viviers is a diocese
of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic church
in France. Erected in the 4th century, the diocese was restored in the Concordat of 1822, and comprises the department of Ardèche
, in the Region
of Rhône-Alpes
. Currently the diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Lyon
. Its current bishop is François Marie Joseph Pascal Louis Blondel, appointed in 1999.
, evangelized the Vivarais under Emperor Septimius Severus
and was martyred in 208.
The "Old Charter", drawn up in 950 by Bishop Thomas, the most complete document concerning the primitive Church of Viviers, mentions five bishops who lived at Alba Augusta (modern Alba-la-Romaine): Saint Januarius, Saint Septimus, Saint Maspicianus, Saint Melanius and Saint Avolus. The last was a victim of the invasion of the barbarian Chrocus
(the exact date of which is unknown).
In consequence of the ravages suffered by Alba Augusta, the new bishop, Saint Auxonius, transferred the see to Viviers about 430. Promotus was probably the first Bishop of Viviers; the document also mentions later several canonized bishops: Saints Lucian and Valerius (fifth and sixth centuries); Saint Venantius
, disciple of Saint Avitus
, who was present at the councils held in 517 and 535; Saint Melanius II (sixth century); Saint Eucherius
, Saint Firminus, Saint Aulus, Saint Eumachius, Saint Longinus (seventh century); St. Arcontius, martyr (date unknown, perhaps later than the ninth century.
It seems that the Diocese of Viviers was disputed for a long time by the metropolitan Sees of Vienne
and Arles
. From the eleventh century its dependence on Vienne was not contested. John II, cardinal and Bishop of Viviers (1073–95), had the abbatial church of Cruas
consecrated by Urban II and accompanied him to the Council of Clermont
.
Afterwards, it is said that Conrad III
gave Lower Vivaraisas an independent suzerainty to Bishop William (1147). In the thirteenth century, under the reign of St. Louis of France, the Bishop of Viviers was obliged to recognize the jurisdiction of the Seneschal of Beucaire. By the treaty of 10 July 1305 Philip IV of France
obliged the bishops of Viviers to admit the suzerainty of the kings of France over all their temporal domain.
Viviers was often troubled by religious conflicts: the Albigensian Crusade
in the thirteenth century; the revolt of the Calvinists against Louis XIII (1627–1629), which ended in the capture of Privas by the royal army; the Dragonnades under Louis XIV after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes
; the war of the Camisards.
It was suppressed by the Concordat of 1802, and united to the See of Mende. Re-established in 1822, the diocese then included almost all the ancient Diocese of Viviers and some part of the ancient Diocese of Valence, Vienne
, Le Puy
and Uzès
(see Nîmes
) and was suffragan of the Archdiocese of Avignon.
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. Erected in the 4th century, the diocese was restored in the Concordat of 1822, and comprises the department of Ardèche
Ardèche
Ardèche is a department in south-central France named after the Ardèche River.- History :The area has been inhabited by humans at least since the Upper Paleolithic, as attested by the famous cave paintings at Chauvet Pont d'Arc. The plateau of the Ardeche River has extensive standing stones ,...
, in the Region
Region
Region is most commonly found as a term used in terrestrial and astrophysics sciences also an area, notably among the different sub-disciplines of geography, studied by regional geographers. Regions consist of subregions that contain clusters of like areas that are distinctive by their uniformity...
of Rhône-Alpes
Rhône-Alpes
Rhône-Alpes is one of the 27 regions of France, located on the eastern border of the country, towards the south. The region was named after the Rhône River and the Alps mountain range. Its capital, Lyon, is the second-largest metropolitan area in France after Paris...
. Currently the diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Lyon
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lyon
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lyon is a Roman Catholic Metropolitan archdiocese in France. It incorporates the ancient Archdiocese of Vienne. The current Cardinal-Archbishop is Philippe Barbarin...
. Its current bishop is François Marie Joseph Pascal Louis Blondel, appointed in 1999.
History
Saint Andéol, disciple of Saint PolycarpPolycarp
Saint Polycarp was a 2nd century Christian bishop of Smyrna. According to the Martyrdom of Polycarp, he died a martyr, bound and burned at the stake, then stabbed when the fire failed to touch him...
, evangelized the Vivarais under Emperor Septimius Severus
Septimius Severus
Septimius Severus , also known as Severus, was Roman Emperor from 193 to 211. Severus was born in Leptis Magna in the province of Africa. As a young man he advanced through the customary succession of offices under the reigns of Marcus Aurelius and Commodus. Severus seized power after the death of...
and was martyred in 208.
The "Old Charter", drawn up in 950 by Bishop Thomas, the most complete document concerning the primitive Church of Viviers, mentions five bishops who lived at Alba Augusta (modern Alba-la-Romaine): Saint Januarius, Saint Septimus, Saint Maspicianus, Saint Melanius and Saint Avolus. The last was a victim of the invasion of the barbarian Chrocus
Chrocus
Chrocus or Crocus, also Croc, Krokus, Crochus or Croscus was a leader of the Alamanni in the late 3rd century. In 260, he led an uprising of the Alamanni against the Roman Empire, traversing the Upper Germanic Limes and advancing as far as Clermont, and possibly as far as Ravenna, and he was...
(the exact date of which is unknown).
In consequence of the ravages suffered by Alba Augusta, the new bishop, Saint Auxonius, transferred the see to Viviers about 430. Promotus was probably the first Bishop of Viviers; the document also mentions later several canonized bishops: Saints Lucian and Valerius (fifth and sixth centuries); Saint Venantius
Venantius
Venantius may refer to:* Venantius Fortunatus , Latin poet, bishop, and saint* Venantius of Camerino , aka Saint Venanzio, martyr, patron saint of Camerino* Venantius, brother of Saint Honoratus...
, disciple of Saint Avitus
Avitus of Vienne
Alcimus Ecdicius Avitus was a Latin poet and archbishop of Vienne in Gaul.Avitus was born of a prominent Gallo-Roman senatorial family in the kinship of Emperor Avitus.-Life:...
, who was present at the councils held in 517 and 535; Saint Melanius II (sixth century); Saint Eucherius
Eucherius of Lyon
Saint Eucherius, bishop of Lyon, was a high-born and high-ranking ecclesiastic in the Christian Church of Gaul. He is remembered for his letters advocating extreme self-abnegation. Henry Wace ranked him "except perhaps St. Irenaeus the most distinguished occupant of that see".On the death of his...
, Saint Firminus, Saint Aulus, Saint Eumachius, Saint Longinus (seventh century); St. Arcontius, martyr (date unknown, perhaps later than the ninth century.
It seems that the Diocese of Viviers was disputed for a long time by the metropolitan Sees of Vienne
Vienne
Vienne is the northernmost département of the Poitou-Charentes region of France, named after the river Vienne.- Viennese history :Vienne is one of the original 83 departments, established on March 4, 1790 during the French Revolution. It was created from parts of the former provinces of Poitou,...
and Arles
Arles
Arles is a city and commune in the south of France, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, of which it is a subprefecture, in the former province of Provence....
. From the eleventh century its dependence on Vienne was not contested. John II, cardinal and Bishop of Viviers (1073–95), had the abbatial church of Cruas
Cruas
Cruas is a commune by the Rhône River in the Ardèche department in southern France.The village has a Romanesque abbey with a crypt.-Population:-External links:**...
consecrated by Urban II and accompanied him to the Council of Clermont
Council of Clermont
The Council of Clermont was a mixed synod of ecclesiastics and laymen of the Catholic Church, which was held from November 18 to November 28, 1095 at Clermont, France...
.
Afterwards, it is said that Conrad III
Conrad III
Conrad III may refer to:*Conrad III of Provence *Conrad III, Duke of Bavaria *Conrad III of Germany *Conrad III of Dachau *Conrad III of Jerusalem...
gave Lower Vivaraisas an independent suzerainty to Bishop William (1147). In the thirteenth century, under the reign of St. Louis of France, the Bishop of Viviers was obliged to recognize the jurisdiction of the Seneschal of Beucaire. By the treaty of 10 July 1305 Philip IV of France
Philip IV of France
Philip the Fair was, as Philip IV, King of France from 1285 until his death. He was the husband of Joan I of Navarre, by virtue of which he was, as Philip I, King of Navarre and Count of Champagne from 1284 to 1305.-Youth:A member of the House of Capet, Philip was born at the Palace of...
obliged the bishops of Viviers to admit the suzerainty of the kings of France over all their temporal domain.
Viviers was often troubled by religious conflicts: the Albigensian Crusade
Albigensian Crusade
The Albigensian Crusade or Cathar Crusade was a 20-year military campaign initiated by the Catholic Church to eliminate Catharism in Languedoc...
in the thirteenth century; the revolt of the Calvinists against Louis XIII (1627–1629), which ended in the capture of Privas by the royal army; the Dragonnades under Louis XIV after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes
Edict of Nantes
The Edict of Nantes, issued on 13 April 1598, by Henry IV of France, granted the Calvinist Protestants of France substantial rights in a nation still considered essentially Catholic. In the Edict, Henry aimed primarily to promote civil unity...
; the war of the Camisards.
It was suppressed by the Concordat of 1802, and united to the See of Mende. Re-established in 1822, the diocese then included almost all the ancient Diocese of Viviers and some part of the ancient Diocese of Valence, Vienne
Vienne
Vienne is the northernmost département of the Poitou-Charentes region of France, named after the river Vienne.- Viennese history :Vienne is one of the original 83 departments, established on March 4, 1790 during the French Revolution. It was created from parts of the former provinces of Poitou,...
, Le Puy
Le Puy
Le Puy is the name, or part of the name, of several communes in France:* Le Puy, Doubs, in the département of Doubs* Le Puy, Gironde, in the département of Gironde* Le Puy-en-Velay, in the département of Haute-Loire...
and Uzès
Uzès
Uzès is a commune in the Gard department in southern France.It lies about 25 km north-northeast of Nîmes.-History:Originally Ucetia, Uzès was a small Gallo-Roman oppidum, or administrative settlement. The town lies at the source of the Eure, from where a Roman aqueduct was built in the first...
(see Nîmes
Nîmes
Nîmes is the capital of the Gard department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France. Nîmes has a rich history, dating back to the Roman Empire, and is a popular tourist destination.-History:...
) and was suffragan of the Archdiocese of Avignon.
To 1000
- Januarius
- Septimius
- Maspicianus
- Melanius I
- c.407-c.411: Avolus
- c.411-c.431: Auxonius
- c.452-c.463: Eulalius
- c.486-c.500: Lucianus
- c.507: Valerius
- c.517-c.537: Venantius
- Rusticus
- c.549: Melanius II.
- Eucherius
- Firminus
- Aulus
- Eumachius
- c.673: Longin
- Johannes I.
- Ardulfus
- c.740: Arconce
- Eribald
- c.815: Thomas I.
- c.833: Tengrin
- c.850: Celse
- c.851: Bernoin
- c.875: Etherius
- c.892: Rostaing I.
- c.908: Richard
- c.950: Thomas II.
- c.965-c.970: Rostaing II.
- c.974: Arman I.
- c.993: Pierre
From 1000 to 1300
- 1014-1041: Arman II.
- 1042-1070: Gérard
- 1073-1095: Johannes II.
- 1096-1119: Leodegarius
- 1119-1124: Atton
- 1125-1131: Pierre I.
- 1133-1146: Josserand de Montaigu
- 1147-1155: Guillaume I
- 1157-1170: Raymond d'Uzès
- 1171-1173: Robert de La Tour du Pin
- 1174-1206: Nicolas
- 1206-1220: Burnon
- 1220-1222: Guillaume II.
- 1222-1242: Bermond d'Anduze
- 1244-1254: Arnaud de Vogüé
- 1255-1263: Aimon de Genève
- 1263-1291: Hugues de La Tour du Pin
- 1292-1296: Guillaume de Falguières
- 1297-1306: Aldebert de Peyre
From 1300 to 1500
- 1306-1318: Louis de Poitiers
- 1319-1322: Guillaume de Flavacourt
- 1322-1325: Pierre de Mortemart
- 1325-1326: Pierre de Moussy
- 1326-1330: Aymar de La Voulte
- 1331-1336: Henri de Thoire-Villars
- 1336-1365: Aymar de La Voulte (again)
- 1365-1373: Bertrand de Châteauneuf
- 1373-1375: Pierre de Sarcenas
- 1376-1383: Bernard d'Aigrefeuille
- 1383-1385: Jean Allarmet de Brogny
- 1385-1386: Olivier de Poitiers
- 1387-1388: Pile del Prato
- 1389-1406: Guillaume de Poitiers
- 1406-1442: Jean de Linières
- 1442-1454: Guillaume-Olivier de Poitiers
- 1454-1477: Hélie de Pompadour
- 1477-1478: Giuliano della Rovere
- 1478-1497: Jean de Montchenu
- 1498-1542: Claude de Tournon
From 1500 to 1805
- 1542-1550: Charles Ier de Tournon
- 1551-1554: Simon de Maillé-Brézé
- 1554-1560: Jacques-Marie Sala
- 1560-1565: Alessandro Farnese der Jüngere
- 1565-1571: Eucher de Saint-Vital
- 1571-1572: Pierre V. d'Urre
- 1573-1621: Jean V. de L'Hôtel
- 1621-1690: Louis-François de la Baume de SuzeLouis-François de la Baume de SuzeLouis-François de la Baume de Suze was a French bishop.-Biography:Louis-François de la Baume de Suze was born in 1595. He was made coadjutor bishop of Viviers in 1618, also becoming titular bishop of Popmpeiopolis at this time. He was consecrated as a bishop on May 14, 1618. He became Bishop of...
- 1690-1713: Antoine de La Garde de ChambonasLa Garde de ChambonasThe marquessate of La Garde de Chambonas was a French noble family whose origins are located in Auvergne and Gévaudan. The family La Garde is first quoted as a lordship in 1152 and created marquessate in 1683....
- 1713-1723: Martin de Ratabon
- 1723: Etienne-Joseph I. de La Fare-Monclar
- 1723-1748: François-Renaud de Villeneuve
- 1748-1778: Joseph-Robin Morel de Mons
- 1778-1802: Charles de La Font de Savine
From 1802
- Vacancy to 1823
- 1823-1825: André Molin
- 1825-1841: Abbon-Pierre-François Bonnel de la Brageresse
- 1841-1857: Joseph Hippolyte Guibert
- 1857-1876: Louis Delcusy
- 1876-1923: Joseph-Michel-Frédéric Bonnet
- 1923-1930: Etienne-Joseph HuraultEtienne-Joseph HuraultEtienne-Joseph Hurault was a French Roman Catholic bishop.He was bishop of Viviers from 1923 to 1930 and bishop of Nancy from 1930 to 1934 .-External...
- 1931-1937: Pierre-Marie Durieux
- 1937-1965: Alfred Couderc
- 1965-1992: Jean VI. Hermil
- 1992-1998: Jean-Marie Louis Bonfils
- 1999–present: François Marie Joseph Pascal Louis Blondel